External Cladding Audit

Lacrosse fire

• November 2014

• Burnt up 15 storeys in 11 minutes

• ACP (Alucobest) cladding responsible for rapid spread of fire

• Sprinkler system operated

• No sprinklers on the balconies

• As a result the VBA instigated an audit

Audit

• Parameters

Class 2, 3 and 9

Over 3 storeys

City of Melbourne

• Commenced May 2015

• Audited 170 buildings

• 51% deemed non-compliant

• Combustible material identified

ACP

Timber

Types of ACP

• PE – 100% Polyethylene (PE) Core

• FR – Approx 70% mineral fibre / 30% PE Core

• A2 or plus – Approx 90% mineral fibre / 10% PE Core

• All ACP with PE is considered combustible when tested to AS 1530.1

• New Australian Standard AS 5113 is to be adopted

Identifying ACP

• The type of ACP used on a building is impossible to identify visually

• Can come in any colour

• Can come in numerous textures

• Can come in a range of sizes (Speciality orders)

• PE has a black core

• FR a grey core

• A2 or plus a more white core

Audit Process

• Identified site using parameters

• On site inspection and report

• Request for building documents

• Audit of documents and report

• Referral of non-compliant buildings to Council to determine if building offers an unacceptable risk

• Audit finding and notification to RBS and builder

Audit Process

• City of Melbourne referred ‘safe’ buildings back to VBA

• VBA working to bring these buildings into compliance

• City of Melbourne retained a number of files and they are working to bring about compliance

• Collaborative approach by authorities

• Some builders co-operative

Possible Compliance Process

• Fire engineering brief

• Fire engineering report prepared

• Peer review of FER

• If required building permit for new work

• RBS issues determination for Performance Solution

• Amended Occupancy Permit issued

• All documents provided to Council

• VBA removes building from list

Compliance by VBA

• Collaborative Approach

• Written Undertakings

• Direction to Fix Injunction

• 205M Directions

Cladding or Attachment

• Claddings are not permitted to be combustible

• Alternative or Performance solution is required to use

• Attachments must comply with Specification C1.1 (2.4)

• Determination to be made (best by a fire engineer)

Documentation

• Often product not specifically identified. (Apolic or similar)

• Type of ACP rarely identified

• Supply chain evidence required

Future issues

• Class 2 buildings of 4, 5, 6 storey etc

• Combustible cladding issues not confined to ACP

• Other products that will pose an issue include Expanded Polystyrene Sandwich Panels Timber Metal Cladding on Timber

• Much smaller builders with limited financial backing

Questions