Cladding on buildings under 18m This means timber can still be used for non-residential buildings up to (and beyond) 18m in height. Jul 22, 2021 · Leaseholders living in buildings under 18 metres tall will not need external wall application (EWS1) forms, following a government U-turn. The proposed restriction forced developers of several medium-rise housing projects to ditch timber in favour of concrete or steel – despite the government’s Jun 17, 2025 · How does the Combustible Cladding Ban affect balconies? Cladding and balconies on buildings over 18m high will have to be fire resistant, achieving class than A2-s1, d0 or Class A1 (under the European classification system set out in the standard BS EN 13501-1) subject to exemptions. Jun 3, 2024 · The Cladding Safety Scheme (CSS) was formally announced under the previous name - Medium Rise Scheme (MRS) in November 2022. The Building Safety Act regulates building safety standards, with Act 11m addressing medium-rise buildings and Act 18m focusing on high-rise structures. Feb 28, 2025 · Funding to protect flats from fire does not apply to buildings under 11m (36ft) or five storeys high. The CSS will meet the cost of addressing life safety fire risks associated with cladding on residential buildings over 11m in height (11-18m in London). Dec 6, 2024 · Developers and landlords of high-rise buildings affected by unsafe cladding in England must meet new deadlines set out by the government to remediate cladding issues, or face stringent enforcement measures and financial consequences for inaction. Some important legislative updates have gone under the radar, and many interested parties, such as landlords and tenants, may not be aware of their legal rights and obligations or where to access important information. Timber cladding is still approved for most non-residential buildings and for all those under 11m in height, often with the added protection of flame retardant treatment. The CSS specifically targets buildings between 11m and 18m in height. Another aspect of the legislation that has raised concern is that many buildings still aren’t considered. Jul 21, 2025 · The government is bringing forward a new Remediation Bill requiring landlords of buildings 18m or more in height with unsafe cladding to complete remediation by the end of 2029. To get an EWS1 certificate, a qualified professional will conduct a fire-risk appraisal of the external wall system, or cladding. Mar 11, 2024 · Progress has been even slower on buildings between 11m and 18m, with only 21% of mid-rise blocks with flammable cladding of any kind completing remediation. Jul 21, 2021 · For buildings under 18m which do require remediation, the Government will introduce a financing scheme so that no leaseholder will have to pay more than £50 a month for the cost of replacing unsafe cladding. Jun 6, 2022 · This change in legislation results in banning nearly all combustible materials, including plastic, timber cladding, and high-pressure laminates on facades of residential buildings over 11m. In SUMMARY For ‘RELEVANT’ Buildings (residential multi-storey 18m+) No timber cladding on buildings over 11m, but you can use timber within the external wall structure up Aug 1, 2023 · Then, in August 2021, the rules changed again so an EWS1 is not required for buildings under 18m. Mar 20, 2025 · For buildings not falling under these criteria, timber cladding is still approved for use, sometimes with a requirement for a treatment. Builders will still be able to use some combustible materials on buildings between 11m and 18m as part of a system that has passed a large-scale test. Sep 1, 2025 · buildings under 18m in height (buildings 11-18 metres should apply to the Cladding Safety Scheme (CSS), delivered by Homes England. Jun 14, 2022 · The 2018 combustible cladding ban prohibited the use of any combustible materials in the external walls of residential buildings over 18m – and in spring 2020 the government consulted on plans to reduce this height threshold to 11m. Nov 12, 2024 · The results of a successful BR 135 assessment can be used to support the use of the cladding system on any building under 18m, in accordance with the guidance in Approved Document B (ADB). May 28, 2020 · This blog aims to shed light on the proposed changes in height restrictions for combustible cladding on buildings above 11 metres. Sep 5, 2023 · Since the Grenfell Tower disaster, there has been fundamental change in the building control sector. The law will also set a 2031 cladding remediation deadline for owners of buildings 11-18m in height. Apr 17, 2024 · The Cladding Safety Scheme is a government initiative designed to fund the remediation of unsafe cladding on buildings where a responsible developer cannot be identified, traced, or held accountable. Nov 7, 2025 · Frequently asked questions relating to Cladding External Wall Systems (EWS) in relation to fire safety. . jwdtidjamedicuglozlplnjaqzagvlgkgennelplsntskcnrvhdqtrckiwfszzblhmxxzsybtaf