A small number of low-rise Scottish schools have cladding on them similar to the type used on Grenfell Tower, it has emerged.

The findings were uncovered during a third meeting of a Ministerial Working Group convened to examine building and fire safety regulatory frameworks in Scotland.

At the meeting, it was reported no high rise domestic buildings owned by councils or housing associations (HA) have used Aluminium Composite Material (ACM) cladding. In addition 30 of 32 councils have reported that ACM cladding has not been used on any privately owned high-rise domestic buildings. Further tests are still being completed in Edinburgh and Glasgow.

However, while no local-authority owned school buildings above 18 metres have the ACM cladding used on Grenfell tower, 14 councils have reported a type of ACM which can be used appropriately has been used on a small number of low-rise schools.


Checks are now underway to ensure that all of these have been fitted in accordance with building regulations.

In addition, eight sites on the NHS estate  – including Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) - have used solid aluminium with A1 non-combustible fire rating material and mineral wool insulation.

Multiplex, the main contractor for the hospital construction, has issured Greater Glasgow & Clyde Health Board that the insulation material used in QEUH (Kingspan Kooltherm K15 Insulation Boards) were properly installed to meet building and fire safety regulations.

The Ministerial Group said: "We are confident this product has been used in a proper and safe manner in the hospital. Whilst this material was identified in recent media reports as being part of the cladding system on Grenfell Tower this was on less than 5% of Grenfell Tower and not the material that has been the focus of investigations."

Cabinet Secretary for Communities, Social Security and Equalities Angela Constance said: "The group met today (13 July) to continue our thorough review of our regulations and take any action needed – both immediate and longer-term - to ensure the highest standards of building and fire safety is in place across Scotland.

"While we continue to be confident that we have stringent building and fire safety regulations we cannot afford to be in any way complacent. That is why our work programme is evidence-led and our focus is prioritised."

At the next meeting in August, the Group will discuss an in depth session to review evidence on automatic fire suppression systems including sprinklers.

(LM/MH)