News Details

Following the Grenfell Tower fire in London we immediately began a review of all our buildings.

A physical inspection identified that around a quarter of the exterior walls on one of our buildings – Bainfield Halls of residence – featured the same cladding reportedly used at Grenfell. 

The insulation materials behind the Bainfield cladding panels are non-combustible, the panel hangings are all made of metal, the wall cavities are properly fire-stopped and the buildings are fitted with sprinklers.

There are also a range of other fire safety measures in place, including each block having its own exit route, a modern fire alarm and smoke detection system that is tested weekly, and 24-hour on-site security.

“Work has already begun to remove and replace the cladding as a precautionary measure. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service inspected Bainfield on Tuesday 27 June and reported back that they are content with the fire saftey management of the buildings. Residents are not being evacuated.



Important points:

• An audit is currently being carried out on all University campuses. Merchiston campus has been given the all clear and buildings continue to be inspected.
  
  
• Bainfield Halls of residence is located in the Fountain Park area of Edinburgh.
  
  
• It is owned by Standard Life Investments – the University has a long term full repairing and insuring (FRI) lease on the building.
  
  
• A contractor has been appointed to replace the cladding, and the work is currently expected to take around six to eight weeks.
  
  
• Students entering the accommodation for the 2017-18 academic year on September 1 will not be affected by the work.
  
  
• The ‘wood-effect’ exterior cladding being removed – Reynobond PE – is made up of two thin aluminium sheets with a polyethylene filler.
  
  
• The insulation material behind the cladding is Rockwool, which is a non-combustible product.