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WQ.267/2018
WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR INFRASTRUCTURE
BY DEPUTY K.G. PAMPLIN OF ST. SAVIOUR
ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON MONDAY 3rd DECEMBER 2018
Question
Will the Minister provide an assessment of the level of risk combustible cladding poses to –
- schools;
- care homes within States of Jersey ownership; and
- other public buildings under States of Jersey ownership?
Answer
The approved statutory guidance published by the Environment Minister in support of the Jersey building bye-law requirements relating to fire safety in buildings, essentially sets out what is acceptable in terms of combustible cladding on buildings.
The technical document states that the use of combustible materials in wall claddings on tall buildings, those with a floor over 18m, may present a risk to health and safety and therefore should not be used on tall buildings. The only exception is where it has been shown by full scale fire test that the cladding system will not present an unacceptable fire safety risk.
For buildings less than 18m high, the use of combustible cladding systems is acceptable under the bye-laws provided it is designed to limit fire spread in any concealed cavity, and that on some buildings in certain location the external surface of any cladding is designed to limit fire spread over its surface. There are also limitations on combustible cladding where residential and assembly and recreational buildings a located near to each other on the same site.
Of the types of building listed in the question, very few will be over 18m high, so it would be reasonable to say that on the basis of our current approved building bye-law guidance, combustible wall claddings on those buildings that satisfies the building bye-law guidance, is unlikely to be a risk to health and safety.
In addition, the types of buildings mentioned would be expected to have strong fire safety management regimes in place. This is a key part of fire safety in buildings and should effectively manage any risk from cladding, for example:
- Schools are a controlled environment where, under normal, standing arrangements, management arrangements are in place to enable a swift evacuation in the unlikely event that would be required (i.e. fire alarm practice).
- Care homes are similar to the above but also fall under the Fire Precautions Law, administered and enforced by the Fire and Rescue Service. A high standard of fire precautions is required and these premises are inspected by fire officers on an annual basis.
- States of Jersey's public buildings, under health and safety law, are served by fire detection and alarm systems and management arrangements that enable a similar evacuation in case of need.