The cladding risk of London tower blocks with ACM and HPL cladding: A National Audit Office Report and the Role of Drone Technology in Cladding Replacement.
In recent years, the safety of buildings clad with Aluminium Composite Material (ACM) and High-Pressure Laminate (HPL) has come under scrutiny following the tragic Grenfell Tower fire in 2017.
The National Audit Office (NAO) in the UK has identified in their report “Dangerous cladding: the government’s remediation portfolio“ several significant risks associated with these materials, highlighting both safety concerns and the challenges of replacing or retrofitting cladding on thousands of buildings, particularly in London.
Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG) is the main government department responsible for building safety.
The NAO report forecasts that remedial repairs could take up to the year 2037, over 20 years since the Grenfell tragedy.
So how can drones help to speed up remedial actions?
Risks Identified by the National Audit Office
The NAO report outlines key risks that arise from the widespread use of ACM and HPL cladding in the UK. These materials, particularly when combined with flammable insulation, pose serious fire risks. ACM panels with polyethylene cores, in particular, were identified as highly combustible, contributing to the rapid spread of the Grenfell fire.
As of the latest assessments, there are still thousands of buildings across the country that have not completed cladding replacement, with London being a major hotspot due to its dense population and large number of high-rise residential buildings.
The report also underscores the challenge of financing cladding remediation, with many building owners and leaseholders struggling to cover the high costs of replacement, which can run into the millions of pounds for a single structure.
The NAO stresses the urgency of accelerating the process, noting that while government funding has been allocated to assist with cladding replacement, the complexities of managing contracts, ensuring compliance with safety standards, and coordinating between multiple stakeholders have led to delays.
How Drone Technology Can Help
Drone technology has emerged as a promising tool to help speed up the process of inspecting and replacing dangerous cladding. Drones, equipped with high-definition cameras, geo spatial accuracy, thermal imaging, and other sensors, offer several advantages over traditional inspection methods.
1. Faster and Safer Inspections
Drones can quickly assess the visual condition of cladding on high-rise buildings without the need for scaffolding or rope access, reducing both the time and cost of inspections. This can drastically speed up the process of identifying which buildings require urgent remediation. Furthermore, drone inspections are safer for workers, minimising the risks associated with working at height.
2. Accurate Data Collection
Drones equipped with advanced sensors and imaging technology can capture high-resolution images, allowing for precise assessment of cladding conditions. By using drones, building managers can get a comprehensive view of the building’s exterior, identifying cracks, loose panels, and other hazards that might not be visible from the ground.
3. Cost Reduction
Traditional cladding inspections and assessments often require scaffolding, manual labor, and time-consuming processes that can be expensive. Drones, on the other hand, can reduce labor costs, eliminate the need for scaffolding, and decrease the time it takes to gather data. This, in turn, can lower overall cladding replacement costs, making the remediation process more financially feasible for building owners.
4. Efficient Remediation Planning
Drones not only assist in inspections but also provide valuable data for creating accurate digital models of buildings. This data can be used for quantity surveying and procurement cost planning for cladding replacements and determining the most cost-effective approach.
By using drones to gather precise information, contractors can plan for the most efficient material usage and construction schedules, potentially lowering the overall cost of replacing cladding in the long run.
5. Ongoing Monitoring
Once cladding has been replaced, drones can be used for routine, low-cost inspections to monitor the condition of the new materials over time. This proactive approach helps to identify potential issues early, reducing the likelihood of costly repairs or safety breaches down the line.
Conclusion
The National Audit Office’s report highlights critical risks associated with the continued use of ACM and HPL cladding on buildings in the UK, particularly in high-density urban areas like London.
As the need for cladding replacement accelerates, drone technology offers a powerful solution to address the challenges of inspection and remediation. By providing faster, safer, and more cost-effective assessments, drones can play a pivotal role in ensuring that buildings are brought up to code quickly and efficiently.
Ultimately contributing to the safety and well-being of residents across the UK.
S4G Drone Services is an ARPAS-UK Member.
Email: [email protected]
