Reconstructing the Facade: An Investigation into the Fire Issues Surrounding Ventilated Rainscreen Cladding
Jack Buckley ACIAT,
Ulster University

This report highlights the multifaceted nature of fire safety challenges in ventilated rainscreen cladding. Interviews and questionnaires conducted as part of this investigation reveal a range of issues. Notably, there is no single, isolated problem; instead, there exists a catalogue of failings, a sentiment consistent with previous research findings. Participants across the board emphasised the difficulties presented by ever-evolving fire regulations, particularly the inherent ambiguity within these regulations. This aligns with observations by Dame Judith Hackitt (2018), who argued that the current regulatory processes for assessing fire safety in high-rise buildings are inadequate.