"David Jones, president of the Institute of Construction Management, says the guidance for multi-storey residential buildings is "loose", "spineless" and "open to interpretation". He argues it permits too many "tolerable" risks - for example, allowing flammable materials in window systems and between floors to remain even if they could let fire spread. "It's allowing developers to game the system," the veteran of more than 50 years says, adding that making it law would be an "absolute abomination"."
"Cladding campaigners say the word "tolerable" appears dozens of times in the guidelines, which are known in the industry as PAS 8890. Combustible materials are allowed to remain in place if risks are assessed to be "tolerable" - meaning in a standard fire test a blaze does not spread beyond one floor within 15 minutes or two floors within 30 minutes. Mr Jones argues that in the guidance, engineers are not explicitly required to present fire test safety data for these materials, making assessments subjective and open to interpretation."
Government plans would make post-Grenfell fire safety guidance for multi-storey residential buildings statutory, with an emphasis on tolerable risk assessments. The guidance permits combustible materials to remain if judged "tolerable," defined by fire spread limits of one floor in 15 minutes or two floors in 30 minutes. Engineers are not explicitly required to present fire test safety data for such materials, creating subjective assessments. No outright ban exists for materials of "limited combustibility." Proponents argue legal status would provide clarity and speed remediation, while critics warn it enables inconsistent judgments and developer gaming.
Read at www.bbc.com
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