Nottingham students have been moved to different accommodation while a university tests cladding wrapped around three blocks of flats.
Nottingham Trent University says it is working with accommodation partner UPP to review the cladding, an external insulation material wrapped around the high-rise flats.
The safety of cladding has been questioned following the Grenfell Tower fire, in North Kensington, on June 14, which has killed at least 79 people.
The cladding at the west London block was installed in 2015, but the fire appeared to spread freely across its surface and accelerate the speed of the blaze, leading to the Government to order a safety review of ‘similar’ cladding systems.
Nottingham Trent says the review has shown three of the seven blocks of flats at its Byron House development, on Hampden Street, contain cladding.
The three blocks were clad using the Raynobond Aluminium Composite Material (ACM) system – similar to the inflammable system at Grenfell.
Tests have shown the cladding is the Reynobond (PE) model, featuring two sheets of aluminium on either side of a polyethylene core.
This is similar to the polyurethane core in the Grenfell Tower model.
And as a precaution, the university and UPP have re-accommodated a small number of students to determine the exact materials of the cladding.
The news comes after Notts TV reported Nottingham City Council is contacting landlords of privately-owned high-rise tower blocks to ensure they meet safety regulations.
The authority has asked the Government to look into the safety of private properties, to consider what changes may be needed to housing legislation, planning requirements and building regulations to improve safety standards in such blocks.
The university says its review is independent, and not part of the council’s provisions.
A joint statement from the university and UPP read: “The safety of our staff and students is of paramount importance to the university and its accommodation partner UPP.
“As such, the university and UPP – which owns and manages the Byron House accommodation – initiated an immediate review into the type of materials used on this building.
“This review showed that three of the building’s seven blocks were clad using Reynobond ACM.
“As a precautionary measure UPP and NTU re-accommodated a small number of remaining students in these blocks into alternative rooms while further tests were carried out to determine the exact version of this product.
“Tests have since shown that these three blocks are clad using Reynobond (PE).
“In light of this, NTU and UPP are liaising with the fire service as a matter of urgency to agree an appropriate course of action.”
Byron House was opened in 2013 and features fire alarms and smoke sensors in every room, and the university says there are regular fire drills so residents know how to evacuate the building safely.
The building cost around £60m and there are 559 student rooms.
