tmd was instructed to coordinate a team of experts and to provide technical advice as part of an investigation into the failure of new cladding panels installed as part of a recently completed programme of refurbishment to a number of tower blocks.

The project had involved overcladding the buildings with composite panels as part of a rainscreen cladding system to improve the thermal performance of the buildings. Although the selected product had been approved by the British Board of Agrement, shortly after installation, peeling and delamination of the outer skin of the panels became apparent.

A detailed inspection of the panels, undertaken by specialist abseil teams, recorded the type and condition of fixing, panel orientation, manufacturing date, adhesive and coating batch, shipping date and storage facilities. Advice and laboratory testing was commissioned from a specialist testing house.

tmd also undertook an inspection of the manufacturing plant and its quality assurance procedures and liaised throughout with the manufacturer's technical experts and insurers. In view of the commercial sensitivity of this project, we are unable provide any further information but the matter was resolved to the satisfaction of all parties.