INCA, the recognised trade association for the external wall insulation (EWI) industry in the UK, is aware of a BBC news feature aired and repeated several times on BBC Breakfast News on Friday 25th October 2024 under the heading “Dangerous EPS cladding banned in Australia still allowed in UK” and responds accordingly.
INCA considers this news item to be irresponsible and misrepresentative of the UK EWI industry and many of the claims made within the context of the feature to be inaccurate or unsubstantiated.
For these reasons a formal complaint, from INCA but on behalf of the wider industry, has been lodged with the BBC.
The specifics of the formal INCA complaint to the BBC relate to the following points:
Dangerous EPS cladding banned in Australia still allowed in UK
By way of introduction to the video report the BBC presenter made reference to “a type of cladding called EPS” (expanded polystyrene) which was stated as being “banned in Australia but widely used on flats in the UK”
It is inaccurate and misleading to state that EPS cladding is “banned in Australia”. It is INCA’s understanding that EPS based EWI systems are still approved and can be used in Australia on new buildings of up to 2 storeys.
In addition to this, the BBC statement that it is “widely used on flats in the UK” doesn’t recognise the fact that EPS insulation is only specified and installed externally on residential buildings of below 11m in height and only then as part of a fully fire tested and accredited EWI system, installed to specification and incorporating all required fire breaks in accordance with building regulations..
The Fire Test Video
The feature itself stemmed from a dramatic video of a fire test carried out on EPS with render in Australia.
It should have been made clear that this was a historical test dating back to 2020 and that this test was NOT, in any way, representative of any EPS based system used in the UK EWI industry for the following reasons:
- The Australian Fire Test used a timber-based wall and timber based sheathing board
- In the UK a light steel frame is used with a cementitious based sheathing board (in many cases this sheathing board carries a Reaction to Fire classification of A1, Non-combustible)
- The Australian Fire Test sample was built using no fire barriers
- In the UK fire barriers are installed as a minimum at party wall and party floor lines in accordance with legislation and BR 135
- The Australian Fire Test sample was carried out using non fire retarded EPS which led to pooling and droplets from the EPS in the test sample
- In the UK, EPS used in construction (especially walling and cladding) is fire retardant which significantly reduces the level of toxic smoke, droplets and fire spread of the EPS
- The Australian Fire Test used a timber-based wall and timber based sheathing board
INCA responded to this test at the time and highlighted these facts. The original INCA response to this test was published in early 2021 and read as follows:
INCA Ltd are aware of a recent fire test reported by Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) on behalf of Victoria Building Authority, Australia (Referenced test report ‘EP205417 revision D, dated 29th September 2020). The report considers the performance of a thin coat render system applied onto EPS insulation when installed on to a timber framed wall structure. The report concluded that EPS render systems can pose a similar fire risk to polyethylene core ACM systems, with the system failing to meet the criteria of BR 135 when tested in accordance with BS 8414-2. It also highlighted an additional risk of downward fire spread due to pooling fires initiated by molten EPS.
Following a thorough review of the report, INCA Ltd concluded that the design of the EPS system tested, notably, the absence of fire barriers, the wall construction selected for the test and the resulting conclusions stated in the above report are in no way representative of EPS based external wall insulation systems (specified historically pre-December 2018) by INCA members for use on multi-storey buildings in the UK. Prior to the December 2018 amendment to Legislation, in the UK EPS systems used on these buildings types must demonstrate compliance with the relevant Building Regulations and meet the performance criteria given in BRE report BR 135 for external walls using full-scale test data from BS 8414-1 or BS 8414-2.
To demonstrate this compliance, the wall structure is invariably constructed in light weight steel and sheathed with a fire-resistant board; very different to that used in the CSIRO fire test. The systems are also designed with cavity barriers at floor slab levels to prevent fire spread, this is formed by the use a continuous non-combustible insulation in place of the EPS and, and a secondary barrier within the drained cavity zone directly behind the non-combustible insulation band. This is very different to the system tested by CSIRO which does not use cavity barriers, and this is referenced within their report as a notable difference from the system tested to those marketed and sold in the EU and UK.
INCA system holders hold a wealth of BS 8414-1 & 2 test reports demonstrating that correctly designed and specified EPS systems can comply with the criteria of BR 135 and therefore the relevant Building Regulations at the time of installation. To provide further reassurance on the performance of these systems, INCA members worked in partnership with the Building Research Establishment (BRE) in 2018 to release summary details of tested systems on their website for any stakeholders to access.
It should be noted that the above response was shared with the BBC reporter prior to the report being finalised and aired yet there was no reference made to this information.
The non-representative fire test video was then shown, without any disclaimer or reference to the above, to residents prompting an undue response of fear and anger.
INCA believe it morally wrong and irresponsible to suggest to residents that this test was in any way reflective of the fire safety standards of the building they live in and have requested that these facts are clarified accordingly.
The Australian fire test video was also then shared with a Professor of Chemistry and Fire Science. Again, INCA suggest the resulting comments were not representative of the full facts with no reference made to the difference in products used or the test methodology adopted in the UK and across Europe.
INCA also believe it to be wholly misleading for the fire expert interviewed to compare the combustibility demonstrated in this unrepresentative Australian fire test to the insulant used on Grenfell. It should be acknowledged that EPS played no role in the terrible events caused by the utterly tragic Grenfell fire and was not referred to in any part of the recently published report.
It should also be highlighted that, unlike the product used in the Australian fire test, the EPS used in UK EWI systems incorporates a flame retarder to significantly reduce both the level of smoke and the level of toxicity in the early stages of fire growth.
INCA have requested that the closing statement made by the Professor stating that “people who escape from a fire might then get cancer years later” should be withdrawn as it is completely unsupported and creates fear from misrepresentation.
Installation Issues
The focus of the news feature then moved on to issues relating to quality of installation.
Whilst of course INCA are not claiming that all systems have been installed correctly, our understanding is that the issue is not as wholesale or widespread as unsubstantiated intimations in the BBC report implied.
As we all know, this issue is something that has been highlighted previously as a result of the Hackett Review and also in the Grenfell Enquiry. There are current Government programmes in place for cladding remediation and the construction industry as a whole is working towards rectifying legacy works. The high-rise project referenced in the news item, Royal Artillery Quays, is a prime example of a project identified by the developer, Barratt Homes, as in need of remediation and is a clear example of how the construction industry is working towards this.
In many cases, where inspections are completed, the cladding is found to be compliant – this was not acknowledged in the news item.
Insurance
Finally, INCA acknowledge the issues around unrealistic increases in insurance premiums in some cases where an EPS EWI system has been installed. We will work with government and guarantee agencies to address this with the insurers themselves but would suggest that misrepresentative features such as this do not help the process at all!
The Next Steps
The official complaint has been submitted to the BBC in accordance with their policy. Depending on the response the next step is to escalate to Ofcom – something we are prepared to do unless we receive a satisfactory apology, retraction or correction of the facts.
We will keep our members informed.
FURTHER INFORMATION
- Email: info@inca-ltd.org.uk
- Telephone: 0330 124 6585
About INCA
- INCA is the recognised trade association for the External Wall Insulation (EWI) industry representing system designers, specialist installers and key component suppliers.
- INCA has proven longevity as a trade body dating back 40 years. Current membership is 85, please refer to the INCA website for a current breakdown of our membership types: contractors, manufacturers, and associates.
- INCA’s vision: The delivery of growth in sustainable fabric performance solutions as the primary focus in combating fuel poverty and protecting the environment.
- INCA’s mission: To represent and support members of the External Wall Insulation industry through technical excellence, effective collaboration, strong communications, and member benefits.