The Cladding Safety Scheme is being extended to eligible residential buildings below 11 metres, with applications due to open on 17 August 2026 for an eight-week window. For Responsible Entities, freeholders, managing agents and specifiers, early coordination of the external wall assessment and insulation specification will be essential.
The UK Government has announced expanded support for residents living with unsafe cladding. The updated Cladding Safety Scheme (CSS) will cover certain lower-rise buildings where a PAS 9980 Fire Risk Appraisal of External Walls (FRAEW) identifies life-safety fire risks.
Where remediation is required, the insulation should be considered as part of the complete external wall build-up. A coordinated specification must address fire performance, thermal performance, moisture behaviour, acoustic requirements, structural interfaces and compatibility with the chosen façade system.
Why Non-Combustible Insulation Matters in Remediation
A PAS 9980 FRAEW considers the risk presented by the external wall construction as a whole, including the outer cladding, cavity, insulation, membranes, fire barriers and supporting components. The appraisal findings should determine whether work is required and what a proportionate remediation strategy should include.
Where the proposed design calls for non-combustible insulation, Euroclass A1 RAINCLAD® stone wool insulation provides a solution developed for ventilated rainscreen façade applications. Thermawool stone wool products are manufactured from volcanic basalt and are classified Euroclass A1 in accordance with BS EN 13501-1.
Benefits of A1 Stone Wool Insulation
- Euroclass A1 non-combustible performance, so the insulation does not contribute to fire.
- Reliable thermal performance to support the project-specific energy and condensation-control strategy.
- Acoustic absorption that can contribute to the performance of the complete wall construction.
- Vapour permeability suited to carefully designed external wall build-ups.
- Options for rainscreen façades, external wall insulation, soffits, floors, roofs and framed construction.
Product selection should always follow the FRAEW findings, the fire strategy and the project designer’s complete specification. Density, thickness, fixings, interfaces and cavity-barrier details must be coordinated for the particular building.
The Cladding Safety Scheme Expansion at a Glance
- Eligible residential buildings below 11 metres are being brought within the scheme’s scope.
- A suitable PAS 9980 FRAEW must identify life-safety fire risks.
- Applications are due to open on 17 August 2026 for eight weeks.
- Responsible Entities, freeholders, managing agents and housing providers should begin reviewing potentially eligible buildings.
From FRAEW Evidence to a Coordinated Wall Build-Up
Thermawool works alongside Cladmate Facade Systems to support coordinated façade specifications. Pairing the insulation, support system and external finish within one technical review helps project teams address interfaces early and avoid isolated product decisions.
Depending on the project, this can include selecting a suitable rainscreen insulation board, coordinating bracket penetrations and insulation joints, reviewing the cavity arrangement, confirming thermal continuity and aligning the specification with the remediation design.
For a wider overview of the funding change and façade remediation process, read Cladmate’s guide: Cladding Safety Scheme Extended: Funding Below 11 Metres.
Prepare Before the Eight-Week Application Window
Begin by identifying potentially eligible buildings and checking whether a current, suitable FRAEW is available. Bring the Responsible Entity, fire risk appraiser, façade consultant and insulation supplier together early so the evidence and proposed design remain consistent.
Thermawool’s technical team can help review insulation requirements, product options and specification details for a coordinated external wall build-up.
Contact Thermawool to discuss your remediation project and arrange an initial technical review.
Cladding Safety Scheme and Insulation FAQs
Is stone wool insulation non-combustible?
Thermawool stone wool insulation products are classified Euroclass A1 in accordance with BS EN 13501-1. Check the relevant product documentation and project specification for the selected application.
Can CSS funding include insulation replacement?
The Cladding Safety Scheme supports proportionate remediation of unsafe external wall systems. Whether insulation replacement forms part of the funded scope will depend on the FRAEW findings, scheme assessment and approved remediation strategy.
Which buildings are included in the expanded scheme?
The expansion applies to eligible residential buildings below 11 metres where a suitable PAS 9980 FRAEW identifies life-safety fire risks, subject to the detailed scheme criteria.
Which Thermawool product is suitable for rainscreen façades?
RAINCLAD® is Thermawool’s A1 non-combustible stone wool board for ventilated rainscreen façade systems. Final selection, thickness and installation details must follow the project-specific specification.
This article reflects the government announcement and guidance available at the time of writing. Applicants should check the latest official Cladding Safety Scheme requirements before submitting.
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