Combustible cladding found on Sydney Adventist Hospital’s Clark Tower

Remediation works are set to begin at Sydney Adventist Hospital after a segment of combustible cladding was found on the hospital’s Clark Tower.

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Sydney Adventist Hospital in Wahroonga is set to commence remediation works on its clinical services building Clark Tower after a portion of exterior cladding was found to be non-compliant.

An audit conducted by the NSW Department of Planning, Industry & Environment revealed that one of three cladding materials used on the Clark Tower will need to be replaced due to its low fire retardant rating.

Combustible cladding has been found on the sixth floor of Sydney Adventist Hospital's Clark Tower.

The remediation works are set to commence next month.

Adventist Healthcare chief executive Brett Goods assured patients and staff that, as Clark Tower is a modern building with no balconies or windows that can be opened, the likelihood of a fire has been assessed as very low.

The Grenfell tower tragedy in 2017 was the deadliest domestic blaze in London since World War Two. Picture: Natalie Oxford/ AFP

“The audit results were completely unexpected by Sydney Adventist Hospital, as the building had been certified as fully compliant prior to occupation in 2014,” Mr Goods said.

“The fact that many hundreds of other building owners including several hospitals are similarly affected was equally surprising.

“The hospital has put in place fire engineer recommended interim measures until the cladding portion replacement works are complete. We have inspected and tested all essential services and wiring throughout the building, doubled how often we do maintenance and fire systems testing, restricted activities that fire engineers have recommended, and mandated additional specific evacuation and simulated scenario training that staff undertake.

“As our paramount concern is always the safety of our patients and our staff we have welcomed the opportunity to work with the authorities to plan and expedite the remediation works.”

Sydney Adventist Hospital nurses (L-R): Jade Schur, Judith Jackson, Helena Wu, and Gabrielle Thomson. Adventist Healthcare chief executive Brett Goods said that the cladding posed minimal risk to patients and staff. Picture: Troy Snook

Following the London Grenfell tower disaster in 2017 that cost the lives of 72 residents, the NSW Government established the NSW Cladding Taskforce to identify and address fire safety risks in relation to external combustible cladding on buildings throughout the state.

In July, it was revealed that there were 629 high-risk buildings in NSW.

“The remediation works will be completed without interruption to the delivery of quality health care,” Mr Goods added.

“We have always taken safety seriously – this has been a good opportunity to reaffirm that.”