Combustible Cladding Risk Assessment

Building compliance advisory services

Hendry offers BCA design compliance advisory services. BCA services comprise:

1. Briefing meeting(s) with the owner, builder or contractor. Meetings establish the extent and placement of the subject external wall cladding attached to the building.
2. Auditing of the external wall cladding of the building.
3. Preparation of an audit report detailing compliance with the BCA.
4. Reviewing the Construction Certificate (CC), including the Fire Safety Schedule that forms part of the CC.
5. Obtaining a sample of sarking and insulation behind any ACP.
6. Testing to identify the core composition of the ACP. And therefore, establish what category of ACPs are present.
7. Determining potential ignition sources that exist for the ACP, given the configuration of the building.

Report cladding risk exposures

Report risk exposures that exist in respect of:

• Occupant safety.
• Non-compliance with the BCA requirements.
• Property and building interruption risk of a fire involving the ACP.
• Reputation, image and value of the building due to the ACP.

Additionally, we can:

• Identify the fire protection and suppression systems provided to the building. Identification includes combined hydrant and sprinklers and the existence of balcony sprinklers.
• Assess the combustibility of the insulation behind the ACPs.
• Evaluate the flame spread rating of any sarking behind the ACPs.
• Assess whether the fire-rated floors or a non-combustible cavity barrier has been installed to limit the vertical fire spread via the façade.
  
  

Address unacceptable cladding risks

Suggest remedial actions necessary to address the unacceptable risk to the buildings if the ACPs present is unsuitable.

1. Review the Statutory Approval Documents. A review includes the OC Occupancy Permit and Occupation Certificates related to the external wall cladding.
2. Organise the testing of the wall cladding. Testing identifies the composition and combustibility of the cladding material. Note that a Registered Testing Authority must carry out the testing.
3. Engage a fire safety engineer to work with Hendry to assess the fire safety risk posed by the cladding material.
4. Consult and meet with Fire Services & Work. Conjunctively, consult with a fire safety engineer as part of the assessment of the external wall cladding.
5. Briefing meeting(s) with building professionals. Meetings establish the extent and placement of subject external wall cladding attached to the building.