Weathering a potential catastrophe: cladding, risk and property insurance

Weathering a potential catastrophe: cladding, risk and property insurance

Following the UK Grenfell Tower fire, Australian insurers are wary of cheap cladding. Here’s what to do if it’s used on your building.

More than 70 people died when fire spread rapidly across a 24-storey West London tower block in June 2017, with most pundits believing highly flammable, cheap Chinese cladding was to blame (an official inquiry is underway).

As a result, authorities and insurance companies around the world have been quick to put new procedures and policies in place, including the Victorian Cladding Taskforce.

The Taskforce found that systems failures have led to major safety risks and widespread non-compliant use of combustible cladding explains Luke Exell, the Deputy Head of the Statewide Cladding Audit at the Victorian Building Authority (VBA).

Additionally, a preliminary audit in NSW alone identified 1,011 buildings that require investigation.

Insurance companies are now very wary of cheap cladding on buildings across Australia and in some cases are increasing premiums, which means it’s important to notify your insurer if your building uses it.

Is your building at risk?

Distinguishing combustible cladding from the more expensive, non-flammable cladding can be difficult.

That’s because aluminum composite panels (ACP) and expanded polystyrene (EPS) often resemble traditional building materials such as steel and concrete. And it’s what’s inside the ACPs, or a cement render, that makes the material dangerous in a fire.

There is no substitute for an expert review by a suitably qualified and registered building survey or, building inspector or fire engineer says Exell.

Insurance companies are now very wary of cheap cladding on buildings across Australia and in some cases are increasing premiums, which means it’s important to notify your insurer if your building uses it.

There are some steps you can take until you can get an expert around, including reviewing the original building documents (all design, construction and approval documents) for any mentions of ACPs or EPS.

You can get these from your local council. However, products are often substituted from those specified in design documents – it’s good to know exactly what was delivered to site Exell says.

It may also help to find out when the building was constructed.

Most varieties of ACPs used pre-2011 were comprised of a 90-100% polyethylene core. This is the variety of cladding considered most dangerous” Exell says. “EPS has most commonly been used in the building industry during the past 20 years.

Risk mitigation strategies

Exell says the VBA recommends building managers or owners review the following checklist to reduce the risk of a combustible cladding catastrophe:

  1. Ensure your essential safety measures are working and properly maintained, including exit signs, fire hydrants, early warning systems, and smoke and heat detectors.
  2. Ensure exit paths or stairways are not used for storage.
  3. Find out the history of your building and seek the building’s original documents from your local council.
  4. Ask the original builder and building surveyor what materials they used.
  5. Make sure occupants know how to reduce fire risk and what do in an evacuation.

What next?

If your building uses cladding, it’s important to check the Australian Building Codes Board website to find out if it conforms to the national standards. If it doesn’t conform, then it’s important to get in touch with your local regulatory state authority, such as the VBA.

Last but not least, it can also help to seek the services of your insurance broker.

An experienced broker will not only help ensure you meet your obligations when it comes to informing your insurer, but they can help you implement appropriate risk mitigation strategies that may even help with your insurance premiums.

For more information on how cladding types could impact your insurance, contact our office.


Important note – the information provided here is general advice only and has been prepared without taking in account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Steadfast Group Ltd (ABN 98 073 659 677, AFSL 254928). Watkins Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd (ABN 23 059 370 455, AFSL 244427)
Source: – https://www.steadfast.com.au/well-covered/business-edge/2018/08/weathering-a-potential-catastrophe