Reader Response Draft Three

In the article “Use of Claddings in Buildings Here Have Grown in Recent Times’’, Mokhtar (2017) reported that the use of cladding to cover the front of buildings, has intensified in recent years due to its benefits but it also poses as a fire hazard. Rise in use of cladding is mainly due to its capability to provide heat insulation for energy efficiency and other perks that comes along with it. He mentioned that the use of cladding has come under probe amidst reports that it may have played a part in a deadly fire which resulted in fatalities. Cladding has insulation materials filled into the gaps, which potentially increases fire hazards. He added that in Singapore, materials used for cladding must meet the strict requirement where the fire will not spread along its surface when ignited.

Even though the use cladding has its perks, it is still a potential fire hazard. But, with strict regulations imposed on the use of cladding, safety will not be compromised.

First and foremost, it is important that all cladding used, ­meets the strict industry standard of Class ‘0’. According to a press release by SCDF (2017) it stated that “SCDF’s Fire Code requires composite panels used as cladding to be either non-combustible or certified as Class ‘0’”.  Class ‘0’ is an industry measurement of the spread of fire with the number “0” indicating that the fire will not spread along its surface when ignited. Also mentioned in the press release, a fire erupted from an industrial building which resulted in one death and findings show that cladding used on the building’s external walls did not meet the requirement of Class ‘0’. So, knowing the consequences, it is important that the industry standard of Class ‘0’ is met for the use of cladding.

Secondly, stricter requirements are required for materials that are used for the cladding of the building. Be it the external or internal of the cladding, the materials used must be non-flammable, as it will directly result whether the fire will spread or not. According to an image graphic by SCDF (2017), the core which is fitted in between two non-flammable layers, is flammable. This layout may seem safe as the core is secured by two non-combustible layers, but it is not totally fool proof as the core itself still poses as a fire hazard as it is flammable. The core should be non-flammable too. Expanded polystyrene (EPS) is one of the most common material for the insulation core. According to “Fire Risks from External…” (n.d) it stated that EPS will grow softer and smaller from a minor flame, but it will then liquefy and burn. The article also mentioned that in a well-developed fire, it will act as a fuel to the fire. This further proves the need for insulation cores to be made of non-flammable materials.

Lastly, there must be strict compliance to the regulations for the use of cladding. Ng (2017) reported that a police report had been lodged by the SCDF against 36 buildings as their external walls panels did not meet the standard. This was a direct result for non-compliance to the regulations of the SCDF’s fire code and harsh punishments should be handed out.

As of now, the use of cladding without a doubt poses as a fire hazard. But there are things that can be done to minimize its risk. If the class “0” industry standard is met, the internal core being non-flammable and with the compliance from the buildings, then cladding being a fire hazard will be dismissed as it will not in any way contribute to the spread of the fire.

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References

Fire risks from the external cladding panels – a perspective from the UK. Probyn-miers. Retrieved from:http://www.probyn-miers.com/perspective/2016/02/fire-risks-from-external-cladding-panels-perspective-from-the-uk/

Mokhtar. (2017, June 17). Use of cladding in buildings here have grown in recent times: Experts. Today Online. Retrieved from: http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/use-cladding-buildings-here-have-grown-recent-times-experts

Ng. (2017, August 24). 36 buildings may have combustible cladding that do not meet safety rules; police report lodged. The Straits Time. Retrieved from: http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/housing/36-buildings-may-have-combustible-cladding-police-report-lodged?utm_campaign=Echobox&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&xtor=CS1-10#link_time=1503566534

Singapore Civil Defence Force. (2017, August 24). SCDF takes immediate actions to ensure fire safety of buildings. SCDF. Retrieved from: https://www.scdf.gov.sg/sites/www.scdf.gov.sg/files/SCDF_Press_Release-24_Aug_2017.pdf

(2017, August 25). What are claddings? SCDF. Retrieved from http://www.straitstimes.com/sites/default/files/attachments/2017/08/25/ST_20170825_SAFETY25B_3374023.pdf