The DLCG has written to local authorities and housing association chief executives, advising on measures they can take to mitigate against fire risks if their cladding is found to be dangerous.
The letter, from permanent secretary Melanie Dawes, comes as the government says tests are being carried out on 600 buildings, with 11 found to be clad in combustible material.
Premier Inn has also said three of its hotels – in Maidenhead, Brentford and Tottenham – may not comply with government guidance on tall buildings.
The letter sets out the action that needs to be taken if the aluminium composite material used in the cladding is found not to be compliant with building regulations.
The letter (it can be read in full here) says councils must immediately :
- Notify fire and rescue services
- Check that a fire risk assessment has been carried out in the past 12 months.
- Engage with residents to ensure they fully understand the fire safety procedures.
- Check there are not combustible materials on ground floors or balconies in the vicinity of cladding
- Check all entrance doors and escape doors are fire resistant
- Check dividing walls from escape routes for fire or smoke spread
- Check smoke control systems
- Check facilities provided for fire fighters and ensure access for their vehicles
- Check insulation and other materials in the facade meet all relevant standards
The letter says: “If a building is protected by an automatic sprinkler system (or equivalent fire suppression system) you might not need to take any further interim measures before replacement of the cladding.”
However, if the building is not protected by a suitable suppression system, it says the need for interim measures must at least be considered:
- Residents to ensure smoke alarms are working in flats and reported concerns about fire safety
- Close car parks where a vehicle fire could impinge on cladding
- Provide a temporary communal fire alarm system to enable the entire block to be evacuated in the event of a fire
- Provide a fire watch
The letter finishes by saying: “In the case of the most serious risk, consideration must be given to moving all residents out of the block until satisfactory remedial work has been done.”
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