Information on ACC’s multi-storey buildings

19 June 2017

Following on from the advice given yesterday, here is additional information regarding the over-cladding which has been fitted on ACC multi storey buildings. We would like to continue to assure tenants and householders the over-cladding fitted on our multi-storey buildings is of a very high standard and is resistent to the spread of fire. While we await the result of the fire investigation in London, it should be stressed the materials used in the over-cladding of ACC multi-storey buildings is not the same as would appear to have been used at Grenfell Tower.

All of the over-cladding is made of the following materials:

Insulation made of stone fibres which is non-flammable and is hard-up against the concrete wall. It is 125mm thick and is a rigid material; Solid façade sheets made of a fibreglass reinforced polymer which is resistent to the spread of fire and hinders smoke development; Cavity barriers at each party floor and party wall, and around each window. These barriers enclose any fire so as to prevent the risk of it spreading from flat to flat, and prevent it spreading within the over-cladding. These cavity barriers are made of both the previously-mentioned stone fibre insulation (around the windows and at the party walls) and also intumescent seals and steel at the party floors. The intumescent steel fire stop which, when it heats up, expands to block any fire.

The below graphic also explains the over-cladding and the materials used.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We will of course review our procedures and policies based on the investigation by the fire service in London, and will continue to work with Scottish Fire and Rescue Service colleagues locally to ensure our tenants and householders get fire safety messages.

Our multi-storey buildings also have the following:

Weekly checks; Checks every two months from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service; Emergency lighting; Smoke detectors; Information on every floor about evacuation procedures.

Our tenants and householders in multi storey buildings will receive a letter in the next few days offering them assurances for their safety, outlining what materials have been used in the over-cladding, advice about not dumping potentially flammable materials in communal and storage areas, and how they can get advice or a home visit from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

The ACC contact number for tenants or residents with concerns is 03000 200 292.

To book a free Home Fire Safety Visit from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, call 0800 0731 999, text ‘FIRE’ to 80800, or visit www.firescotland.gov.uk.

The following image offers guidelines on fire safety in multi-storeys: