ABI previously warned government over hazards of flammable cladding

In a consultation response to the government’s housing white paper, submitted in May, the ABI warned that cheap, flammable cladding had the potential to increase the intensity of a fire.

Zurich said it was in contact with clients that have significant property portfolios, like local authorities.

The government admitted there were at least 600 buildings in the UK that used the same type of flammable cladding as Grenfell Tower.

Under the housing white paper, the government plans to build 250,000 new homes, and encourages councils to build upwards into tower blocks in urban areas.

However, the ABI warned that the pressure to build houses fast could lead to cost-cutting and the use of cheap, flammable building materials.

The ABI’s response said: “Increases in the speed of building, and decreases in the associated costs have over time, led to a less resilient, more combustible and more intolerant designs.

“External cladding, made from combustible material can often cause significant fire spread upwards and between buildings, which is a particular concern for areas of high building density.

“In the context of the government’s white paper and concerns around rising fire damage costs, the ABI would encourage a review of building regulations to reflect the modern methods of construction and deviation away from more traditional masonry builds.”

The response said the average cost of a fire claim has increased from £5,550 in 2006, to nearly £15,000 in 2016. However, the number of fire claims has decreased from 71,000 in 2006 to 26,000 ten years later.

The response added: “Introducing large quantities of combustible materials into building designs alters both the probability of fire and potential scale of loss.”

A spokesperson for the ABI was approached but declined to comment further.