University of Warwick clarifies ACM cladding on Sherbourne is not the same as Grenfell Tower

Clarification: The University has clarified that the cladding on Sherbourne blocks 7-9 is not the same as that which was on Grenfell Tower, which an earlier version of this article stated. The FOI showed that while the buildings have ACM cladding, it is not the same type as was found in Grenfell Tower, and that this cladding contains “a fire resistant core with added fire retardant”. The Boar apologises for this mistake.

The Boar has also found that the Freedom of Information (FOI) reply that was received regarding cladding at Warwick contained incorrect information. Sherbourne blocks 1-6 do not have cladding made with aluminium composite material (ACM), the University has since stated, after checking “right back to the original suppliers and builder”.

Warwick’s Sherbourne student accommodation blocks do have cladding made from aluminium composite material (ACM), but not the same type that was on Grenfell Tower, the University has clarified. 

Blocks 7-9 of the Sherbourne residences have ACM cladding but the external material of the buildings is “different to Grenfell’s” and have “a fire resistant core with added fire retardant”, the University told The Boar.

ACM cladding was blamed for being one of the reasons for why the fire at Grenfell Tower in June 2017, in which 72 people lost their lives, spread so quickly.

Following the fire in west London, the UK government banned combustible materials on the external walls of new buildings over 18 metres tall in November 2018.

It was also announced that the government would give support to remove any existing ACM cladding on private residential buildings.

“No ‘Stay Put’ policies exist here at the University of Warwick,” the FOI response added. A ‘Stay Put’ procedure was also to blame for why so many lost their lives at Grenfell, an inquiry into the fire said last year.

A ‘Stay Put’ policy is one in which residents in purpose-built flats or apartments should only evacuate if their own flat is on fire or affecting them but everyone else, generally, should remain in their homes.

Furthermore, “testing is only required on buildings with cladding made of ACM if they are over 18 metres in height” and so “no panels have been sent off for testing, as all the fitted panels meet building standards and an approved Building Control Inspector has signed off the installations,” the FOI response stated.

“Fire risk assessments have not identified any significant fire risk.”

The Boar’s findings come after a fire took place in Sherbourne Block 5 four months ago.

A video of the blaze showed it burning on the top floor and one student alleged that the ceiling “burned down” as a result. The University confirmed that “all present were safely evacuated and no one was harmed”.

Sherbourne is “fully compliant with all fire & building regulations,” the University has stated to The Boar since the original report.