Cladding removed from Napier University halls

EDINBURGH: Residents have not been evacuated

Edinburgh Napier University is removing cladding from one of its halls of residence after it was found to be the same type said to have been used on Grenfell Tower.

The university said the insulation behind the cladding on Bainfield Halls is fire proof and the building is fitted with sprinklers and alarms, but the cladding on around a quarter of the building is being removed as a precaution.

Residents have not been evacuated and the university is working with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service during the removal.

The process to remove the cladding is expected to take around four weeks.

A university spokesman said: “Following the Grenfell Tower fire in London we immediately began a review of all our buildings.

“A physical inspection identified that around a quarter of the exterior walls on one of our buildings, Bainfield Halls of residence, featured the same cladding reportedly used at Grenfell.

“The insulation materials behind the Bainfield cladding panels are non-combustible, the panel hangings are all made of metal, the wall cavities are properly fire-stopped and the buildings are fitted with sprinklers.

“There are also a range of other fire safety measures in place, including each block having its own exit route, a modern fire alarm and smoke detection system that is tested weekly, and 24-hour on-site security.

“Work has already begun to remove and replace the cladding as a precautionary measure, and we are working closely with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to ensure it is safe to continue to use the building as normal. “Residents are not being evacuated.” Prime Minister Theresa May has said a “major national investigation” must take place into the decades-long use of potentially flammable cladding on high-rise towers across the country.

Mrs May’s call came as Cabinet was informed 95 samples of cladding from tower blocks in 32 English local authority areas have failed fire safety tests – amounting to 100% of all samples submitted by councils.

The PM’s official spokesman said the national investigation could be conducted as a second phase of the public inquiry already announced into the Grenfell Tower blaze, which claimed the lives of at least 79 people.

The latest tally of fire safety checks was presented to Cabinet by communities and local government secretary Sajid Javid, who has issued an urgent call for all councils to send in samples of cladding from tall buildings.

Schools and hospitals may also do the same where they have concerns, with the Care Quality Commission having contacted more than 17,000 care homes, hospices and private hospitals to tell them to check fire safety procedures.

Picture: PA. Cladding is removed from Hanover tower block in Sheffield as Prime Minister Theresa May has said there must be a “major national investigation” into the use of potentially flammable cladding on buildings across the country.