New government rules, known as PAS9980, came into force today, allowing flammable cladding to remain on blocks of flats if the fire risk is assessed as "tolerable". The regulations grade fire risk from cladding into four categories: high, medium, tolerable, and low. Only buildings deemed high or medium risk will require cladding removal.
Residents and cladding campaigners have expressed concerns about the new rules. Natasha Parcell, who was evacuated from her East London flat after a fatal fire this month, fears the changes may allow developers to backtrack on decisions to remove cladding. Her developer, Barratt Redrow, has stated it still intends to remove all flammable cladding from her building.
The Ministry of Housing stated the changes are intended to speed up the cladding removal process and provide a more proportionate, clear, and consistent approach. The Ministry also said repaired buildings would be audited. However, campaigners argue the new rules rely too heavily on fire safety assessors who may not be independently appointed.
Almost ten years after the Grenfell Tower fire, nearly 3,000 tower blocks in the UK still have dangerous cladding that needs to be fixed. Ed Daffarn, who warned about Grenfell's cladding dangers, criticised the ongoing debate over safety definitions. The Association of British Insurers supports the removal of all flammable cladding.