The Role of Combustible Cladding in Fire Propagation: Case Studies and the Essential Contribution of Fire Engineers

Combustible cladding has emerged as a significant safety concern in contemporary building design, primarily due to its capacity to accelerate the spread of fire. This increases risks to both building occupants and property, with many devastating incidents highlighting the need for stricter regulations. In this article, we examine the role combustible cladding plays in fire propagation through real-world case studies and discuss the vital role fire engineers have in minimizing these risks.

What is Combustible Cladding? Combustible cladding is the term used to describe external building materials that are prone to ignition and can significantly contribute to the spread of fire. Common types include:

• Aluminum Composite Panels (ACPs): Often used for aesthetic reasons but can contain a highly flammable polyethylene core.
• Expanded Polystyrene (EPS): A lightweight material, which becomes highly flammable when exposed to heat.

These materials, particularly when paired with inadequate fire safety systems, can cause rapid and catastrophic fire spread.

Case Studies of Combustible Cladding-Related Fires

1. Grenfell Tower Fire (London, UK, 2017) The Grenfell Tower fire is one of the most tragic examples of how combustible cladding can contribute to rapid fire spread:
   • Origin of Fire: A refrigerator caught fire, and the flames quickly spread to the building’s external cladding.
   • Cladding Material: Aluminum Composite Panels (ACPs) with a polyethylene core.
   • Outcome: The fire engulfed the 24-story building in mere minutes, causing 72 fatalities.
   • Key Takeaways: The combination of highly combustible cladding and the absence of adequate fire-stopping mechanisms allowed the fire to spread uncontrollably, underscoring the need for rigorous fire risk assessments and stronger regulations.
2. Lacrosse Building Fire (Melbourne, Australia, 2014) This incident involved a smaller fire that spread rapidly through the cladding:
   • Origin of Fire: A cigarette discarded on a balcony ignited the building’s cladding.
   • Cladding Material: Aluminum Composite Panels (ACPs) with a polyethylene core.
   • Outcome: Although no lives were lost, the fire caused significant damage and sparked heightened awareness of cladding dangers in Australia.
   • Key Takeaways: This event highlighted the potential benefits of performance-based fire engineering, such as incorporating fire barriers and choosing non-combustible cladding alternatives.
3. Address Downtown Fire (Dubai, UAE, 2015) The Address Downtown fire demonstrated how cladding material can facilitate fire spread in high-rise buildings:
   • Origin of Fire: An electrical fault ignited flames that reached the building’s external facade.
   • Cladding Material: Combustible panels contributed to the vertical spread of the fire.
   • Outcome: While there were no fatalities, the fire caused significant damage to the high-rise hotel.
   • Key Takeaways: This incident underscored the need for using fire-resistant materials and installing robust fire safety systems in tall buildings.

How Combustible Cladding Contributes to Fire Spread

1. Vertical Flame Spread: Combustible cladding materials act as a conduit for flames, enabling fire to rapidly climb up the building’s facade.
2. Limited Fire Resistance: Many cladding materials lack adequate fire-resistant properties, failing to slow or contain the fire’s spread.
3. Heat and Smoke Propagation: Combustible cladding increases the release of heat and toxic smoke, posing additional risks to both building occupants and firefighting crews.
4. Inadequate Fire-Stopping Measures: Poorly installed or absent fire-stopping barriers allow fire to spread uncontained through gaps and joints in the cladding system.

How Fire Engineers Mitigate Cladding-Related Fire Risks

Fire engineers play a crucial role in preventing fires from spreading due to combustible cladding through detailed assessments, innovative design solutions, and safety systems implementation.

1. Cladding Assessments: Fire engineers conduct comprehensive evaluations of existing cladding materials, considering:
   • Material Properties: Examining combustibility and fire resistance of materials.
   • Regulatory Compliance: Ensuring that the building complies with local fire safety regulations and guidelines.
   • Risk Identification: Identifying potential fire hazards that could be associated with cladding systems.
2. Fire Risk Mitigation Strategies: Based on their assessments, fire engineers propose effective mitigation measures such as:
   • Cladding Replacement: Recommending fire-resistant, non-combustible materials like fiber cement panels or fire-rated ACPs.
   • Enhanced Fire-Stopping Systems: Designing advanced fire barriers to prevent fire from spreading through gaps.
   • Improved Building Design: Incorporating effective separation of combustible materials, both vertically and horizontally.
3. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Modeling: CFD simulations allow fire engineers to predict how a fire will spread in the presence of combustible cladding, helping:
   • Visualize Fire Spread: Demonstrating how cladding materials contribute to vertical and lateral fire spread.
   • Optimize Safety Solutions: Testing the effectiveness of proposed fire protection strategies.
4. Active Fire Protection Systems: Fire engineers design and integrate systems such as:
   • Water Curtains: External sprinklers to suppress fire spread on the facade.
   • Early Detection Systems: Fire detection systems that quickly identify flames or heat sources within the cladding.
5. Regulatory Compliance: Fire engineers ensure that buildings adhere to the latest fire safety standards, including:
   • Compliance with National Construction Code (NCC) guidelines for external building components.
   • Meeting fire safety criteria outlined by local fire authorities (e.g., QFES in Queensland).
6. Retrofitting and Upgrades: For existing structures, fire engineers propose retrofitting strategies such as:
   • Non-Combustible Cladding Installations: Upgrading facades with fire-resistant materials.
   • Incorporating Fire-Stopping Layers: Adding fire-resistant barriers to existing cladding systems.

Fire Engineers’ Impact in Brisbane

As urban density in Brisbane increases, with a rise in high-rise developments, the role of fire engineers in addressing combustible cladding risks is ever more critical. Their expertise ensures that:

• New developments are designed with fire-resistant materials and robust safety features.
• Existing structures undergo thorough risk assessments and are upgraded as needed to mitigate fire hazards.
• Buildings comply with stringent safety standards set by local regulations like the NCC and QFES.

The Benefits of Fire Engineering in Combustible Cladding Management

• Enhanced Safety: Significantly reduces the risk of fire spread and protects building occupants.
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensures adherence to fire safety regulations and standards.
• Cost-Effective Solutions: Provides a balance between safety improvements and practical, budget-conscious measures.
• Sustainability: Promotes the use of fire-resistant, environmentally friendly materials in construction.

Conclusion

The widespread use of combustible cladding has contributed to several high-profile fire incidents, demonstrating the critical need for effective fire safety measures. Fire engineers play an essential role in assessing risks, designing mitigation strategies, and ensuring compliance with safety regulations. Through advanced evaluation techniques, risk mitigation strategies, and innovative design solutions, fire engineers work to safeguard both people and property from the dangers posed by combustible cladding.

If you are concerned about combustible cladding and wish to explore expert fire engineering services in Brisbane, contact FyreWise today. We can help you secure your property with customized, performance-based fire safety solutions.