Government appoints FPA for cladding tests

The FPA has constructed two test rigs for commercial BS 8414 testing, with that test evaluating the ‘effectiveness against fire’ of external cladding on buildings. The says that the rigs can test systems to part one (cladding attached to a concrete wall) and part 2 (cladding attached directly to a steel structure), while a half sized rig can test ‘bespoke’ elements surrounding a cladding test, such as the addition of a window or another type of opening to ‘more closely replicate’ a real life situation.

FPA managing director Jon O’Neill said: "The Fire Protection Association is proud to have been chosen to conduct the next round of indicative façade testing by the government – as we are accredited by UKAS to carry out the 8414 test. Our concerns regarding 8414 are well documented and are currently being considered by the BSI committee, which is reviewing and updating the test.

"The work we have been commissioned to undertake on behalf of MHCLG is looking to assess the performance of systems currently installed (the tender was to carry out an existing 8414 test of a system representative of those in England). The design of the system and the materials used will be typical of an as installed system, ensuring that it's as realistic a test as possible."