Memorandum by Sheffield City Council

Memorandum by Sheffield City Council (ROF 24)

Please see the following internal memo from Sheffield City Council's Architects Division. I apologise for simply passing on the information you require in this way but your enquiry did not reach me until very late and it seemed like a reasonable expedient in order to meet your deadline.

S. Jenkinson,
Technical Services Manager

POTENTIAL RISK OF FIRE SPREAD IN BUILDINGS VIA EXTERNAL CLADDING SYSTEMS

There are only two major multi-storey housing developments within your stock that have received overcladding in recent years, Hyde Park Block C and the various Hillside and Netherthorpe Tower Blocks. An explanation of the situation regarding fire spread for both developments is as follows.

Hyde Park Flats, Block C

Any fire involving an overclad building appears to invoke widespread concern regarding other buildings with claddings of this type. This was also the case during the design of Hyde Park Block C (Harold Lambert Court), as two significant fires occurred which informed the design process.

Sheffield Design and Property engaged foremost fire consultants Arup Research and Development to resolve the fire issues relating to the overcladding with the consultant specialist over cladding architects Peter Bell and Partners.

The Sheffield Building Control Office in 1990 had little experience of dealing with construction of this type and the approval of the overcladding with respect to section B2, internal fire spread (linings), B3 (2), internal fire spread (structure), and B4 (1), external fire spread was referred to the Secretary of State for the Environment for determination. In his letter of 28 February 1991, and after due consideration, the Secretary of State approved the details put forward for meeting the requirements.

The building is constructed with a brick plinth to separate the cladding system from fires that may be started at the base of the building. The cladding itself has a system of fire barriers within it which serve to prevent fire spread between the dwellings.

The cavity behind the cladding contains some timber members and the insulation. This has been carefully detailed to the satisfaction of the Secretary of State to meet the requirements of the regulations in respect of fire spread. The overroof contains no fire barriers as this was not required.