Written question asked by Steve Reed (Labour) on Friday, 14 December 2018, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 19 December 2018 (named day). It was answered by Kit Malthouse (Conservative) on Wednesday, 19 December 2018 on behalf of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

High Rise Flats: Insulation

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether the use of expanded polystyrene insulation in external wall insulation systems on new high-rise residential buildings is still permitted under Fire safety Approved Document B as amended in November 2018.

Answer: The ban on combustible materials will apply to external walls in new buildings, or those undergoing building work, which have a storey at least 18 metres above ground level and contain one or more dwellings, an institution, or a room for residential purposes (excluding any room in a hostel, hotel or a boarding house). It requires that all materials which become part of an external wall or specified attachment achieve European Class A2-s1, d0 or Class A1, other than those components which are exempted. We are not aware of any expanded polystyrene insulation products that would meet the Class A2-S1, d0 or Class A1 classifications and insulation materials are not exempted from this requirement. As such, current polystyrene insulation products could not be used in buildings within scope of the ban.

Secondary information