BRE withdraws test results for Celotex product

Latest News Thu, Feb 1, 2018 6:32 AM

BRE has issued a statement regarding Celotex BS8414 cladding tests after the manufacturer revealed differences between the system as tested and the description in the report of the test.

RS5000 was used as external insulation as part of the rainscreen cladding system in the refurbishment of Grenfell Tower. Celotex took the decision to suspend supply shortly after the tragic fire at Grenfell Tower and this suspension

remains in place.

Now the company has conducted a detailed review of the way RS5000 was tested and marketed.

"In advance of the product being launched, the company commissioned full system fire performance tests for a rainscreen cladding system which were carried out pursuant to BS 8414:2," said a spokesman for Celotex.

"The current management team has only recently determined that there were differences between the system as tested for BS 8414:2 and the description of that system in the report of the test. These differences were carried through into our marketing of RS5000.

"Our priority is to establish whether there are any safety issues arising from these differences. We have notified the relevant bodies and are taking steps to speak with our customers. We understand that in August 2017, a sample of the same product was used in a full rainscreen cladding system that passed the DCLG 1 test. Nevertheless, we are arranging further testing which will assist in clarifying the issue."

In a prepared statement, BRE stated: "We have been contacted by Celotex, who, on reviewing their processes and test data from a BS8414-2 cladding test carried out at BRE in 2014, have identified anomalies between their design specification for the cladding system to be tested and the actual cladding system they installed to be tested.

"It is our understanding that the test system was not constructed according to Celotex’s design specification and as such, the test results have been withdrawn.

"The cladding system in that test included Celotex RS5000 and fibre cement board rainscreen (declared reaction to fire classification A2) – this was not an ACM, nor was it the cladding system on Grenfell Tower.

"BRE does not design, select or install the test system, nor are we involved in the sample selection process.

"The onus for that is strictly with the company for whom the test is being conducted. BRE’s role is to conduct the fire test against the requirements of the British Standards Institute BS8414 test methodology.

"We were alerted to the discrepancy this week by the Celotex management team who said they had launched their own internal review."

Celotex launched the PIR rigid board insulation product RS5000 in 2014 for use in rainscreen cladding systems for buildings above 18m.

"It is a matter of real regret for us that this issue has arisen: we fully recognise its potential seriousness and that it will give rise to concern," added the company's spokesman.

"We are working hard to arrange the further testing as quickly as possible and we will make a further announcement once the results of that testing are available."

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