Blocks of flats / apartments with cladding
We have years of experience in building insurance and can support you through the review of your insurance programme
We have access to markets which can give you an alternative quote on your existing insurance.
The Government have a £1bn Fund to help unsafe cladding on high rise buildings as of the 1st June 2020. This funding is to help the private sector cost of replacing the existing cladding.
Langton London believe helping the client understand their existing cladding will help the client understand the increased reasons for the increased fire potential but may help with risk management going forward. Cladding in any form is generally not deemed an attractive risk feature when reviewing a property and negotiating terms with underwriters, unsurprisingly because of the increased risk posed by fire and the potential of it spreading to surrounding properties. Historically some infill materials in cladding panels have been deemed to be highly flammable; the outer membranes are easily damaged, and the panels allow for an increased rate in the spread of a fire.
Infill types explained
The types of infill are generally quite standard across the industry and can be categorised as follows:
| Infill Material Type | Combustibility |
|---|---|
| EPS / XPS - Expanded / Extruded polystyrene | Highly Combustible |
| Fire Retardant EPS | Combustible |
| PE - Polyethylene Used as infill for Aluminium Composite Materials (cladding) | Combustible |
| HPL - High Pressure Laminate. | Combustible even with added fire retardant |
| SIPS - Structural Insulated Panel Systems Often filled with EPS | |
| PUR - Polyurethane | Combustible |
| PIR - Polyisocyanurate | Combustible |
| LPCB / FM approved PIR | Will withstand fire for longer, but ultimately combustible |
| Modified Phenolic Foam | Combustible but with a good degree of fire resistance |
| Foamed Glass | Non-combustible |
| Glass Fibre | Non-combustible |
| Mineral / Rock wool | Non-combustible |
For expert advice on insurance please contact Langton London on: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 01737 305661
We have joined the Government fire safety premiums pledge
We are helping to set new standards for residential multi-occupancy buildings insurance, after signing up to the Government's pledge to improve transparency and value for residents living in buildings taller than 11m, or four storeys, with known fire safety issues.
Read our news article for more information.
Alternatively, you can read about the pledge on the Government's website.
