Cladding and school buildings

Building standards systems and regulations for high rise domestic properties in Scotland means that the specific type of ACM, which was used on Grenfell Tower, should not be used in their cladding systems.

However, ACM is a description of a category of products and in some controlled circumstances specified by our building regulations, ACM can be used as part of the cladding systems of other buildings. Our building regulations specify that those cladding systems must meet the relevant technical requirements applicable in each case.

13 local authorities have confirmed ACM has been used in cladding systems on 43 school buildings, which is 1.7% of the school estate. Checks are currently being carried out by local authorities and the fire and rescue service to ensure that all of these have been fitted in accordance with building regulations.

The 13 local authorities are:

• Aberdeen City Council - 1
• Angus Council  - 2
• Argyll & Bute - 1
• City of Edinburgh Council - 1
• Dumfries and Galloway  Council – 16 at present (further inspections still being undertaken)
• Dundee City Council - 1
• East Renfrewshire Council - 6
• Glasgow City Council – 1
• Inverclyde Council - 3
• North Lanarkshire Council - 1
• South Ayrshire Council - 3
• South Lanarkshire Council – 1
• West Dunbartonshire Council – 6

Scottish Borders Council still to respond.

A Scottish Government spokesperson said:

“Local authorities are responsible for ensuring the safety of school buildings in their areas – and if there is a need to inform parents and pupils on any aspect of school safety it is for the council to do so.

“Schools across Scotland are currently closed for summer holidays and all checks being carried out are precautionary to ensure building materials have been correctly used.”