The Cladding Safety Scheme (CSS) is open to applications from Responsible Entities for residential buildings in England.

The CSS was previously known as the Medium Rise Scheme (MRS) and was first announced in November 2022. It is only available for buildings more than 11 metres in height in England, with the exception of London, where it is aimed at buildings between 11 and 18 metres measured to the topmost occupied storey.

Applicants are able to instruct a Fire Risk Appraisal of External Wall construction (FRAEW) from the CSS panel of Fire Risk Assessors which are carried out in line with the methodology set out in PAS 9980:2022.

F.I.R.E. Consultancy’s Jason Hill CEng is a member of the panel.

The CSS is designed to provide grant funding for building’s in which the original developer cannot be ‘identified, traced or held responsible’. It’s designed to speed up the remediation process for these buildings, however it does not fund associated interim measure costs, such as waking watches.

The government remains of the opinion that buildings under 11 metres in height are unlikely to require remediation and is instead suggesting mitigation measures, such as fire alarms. However, it is investigating individual buildings on a case-by-case basis to ascertain why the building owner is suggesting remediation.

Further reading;

Cladding Safety Scheme overview
Apply for a grant
Help with paying for historical fire safety work: high-rise blocks (England)