Edinburgh Napier strips student halls cladding over fire fears
June 28 2017
Removal of the ‘wood effect’ exterior cladding, Reynobond PE, is expected to take up to four weeks, in time for students arriving for the 2017-18 academic year.
A university spokesperson commented: “A physical inspection identified that around a quarter of the exterior walls on one of our buildings – Bainfield Halls of residence – featured the same cladding reportedly used at Grenfell.
“The insulation materials behind the Bainfield cladding panels are non-combustible, the panel hangings are all made of metal, the wall cavities are properly fire-stopped and the buildings are fitted with sprinklers.
“There are also a range of other fire safety measures in place, including each block having its own exit route, a modern fire alarm and smoke detection system that is tested weekly, and 24-hour on-site security.”
No residents will be evacuated during the course of the work following consultations with the Scottish Fire & Rescue Service.
Bainfield comprises seven separate blocks of flats housing 778 en-suite rooms designed by Allan Murray Architects.
4 Comments
#2 Posted by Urban Realm on 28 Jun 2017 at 13:38 PM
Reynobond PE (now discontinued from sale by Arconic) consists of two thin aluminium sheets with a polyethylene filler. This is the same cladding as reportedly used at Grenfell.
The insulation behind the cladding, Rockwool, is non-combustible.
The insulation behind the cladding, Rockwool, is non-combustible.
#3 Posted by StyleCouncil on 28 Jun 2017 at 15:37 PM
No building should have 'timber effect' cladding.
#4 Posted by Stephen on 29 Jun 2017 at 14:12 PM
For information: the University of Edinburgh has confirmed that the cladding recently added to Appleton Tower conforms to fire safety regulations and contains none of the materials in question in the Grenfell Tower fire.
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If one of the primary concerns at Grenfell was the use of non fire resistant insulation why are they removing the cladding here the insulation is non combustible?
It is recognised that the Scottish Building Regulations (as revised in 2005) address fire spread across the façade of multi-story dwellings.
Are the University taking unnecessary remedial action? It would be good if this was clarified.