A total of 82 tower blocks have failed a new fire safety test which scrutinises the combination of cladding and insulation following the Grenfell disaster.
The test was carried out on a 9m tower of aluminium panels with a combustible polyethylene plastic core and combustible PIR plastic foam insulation. The system matches that used to reclad the west London tower, ahead of the fatal fire that broke out on 14 June and killed at least 80.
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Both vertical and horizontal fire brakes were included in the test system, to ensure the system would perform to the best of of abilities – because many people have suggested that errors might simply have been made in the fitting of the panels at Grenfell. In spite of this, the system still failed.
Nine blocks in Salford are currently having their cladding system removed and replaced in response to news it had failed the latest test.
It is expected that any fire-proofing measures required in tower blocks will be funded by its owner, not the government.
Meanwhile, an independent review into building regulations and fire safety has been announced after the Grenfell Tower blaze exposed widespread risks in high-rise buildings.
The Department for Communities and Local Government said last month’s inferno “raised serious questions” about fire safety, centred on the use of flammable cladding in tower blocks.
Experts have previously flagged concerns that building regulations are unclear on the use of combustible cladding, which paved the way to their use by contractors.
Communities secretary Sajid Javid said: “It’s clear we need to urgently look at building regulations and fire safety.
“This independent review will ensure we can swiftly make any necessary improvements. Government is determined to make sure that we learn the lessons from the Grenfell Tower fire, and to ensure nothing like it can happen again.”
The probe is to be led by Dame Judith Hackitt and will report to Javid and home secretary Amber Rudd, the government said.
Dame Judith will aim to publish a final report by spring 2018 and an interim report before the close of the year, according to the announcement.
The scope of the probe is to be set by this summer, the government said, after the terms of reference for the Grenfell Tower public inquiry are established.
Among the issues set to be examined are the regulations relating to fire safety in the construction, design and management of buildings.
Compliance and enforcement issues will also be looked at, as well as international regulation and experience in the area, it was announced.
