Grenfell material was used at superhospital
Labour demand urgent probe to reassure NHS staff and patients
SCOTLAND’S £842million superhospital was built with the same insulation material used in Grenfell Tower, where about 80 people died in a horrific fire last month.
Last night, the Government were being urged to launch an urgent investigation into the situation at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow.
The Record can reveal that an insulation material called Kingspan Kooltherm K15 – which was used on the Grenfell flats in north London – was also used in the new hospital.
Under test conditions, it was found to be highly combustible – although the manufacturers insist the product is safe when installed properly.
Labour’s health spokesman Anas Sarwar said: “Anyone who has seen the horror of Grenfell will have deep concerns around the products and what accelerated the fire.
“An urgent investigation needs to take place, not just into the QEUH, but all public-sector facilities which may have used similar products.
“The Health Secretary and the First Minister should be demanding a swift investigation and testing of these insulation systems in order to give confidence to staff and patients.”
Sean Clerkin of the Scottish Tenants Organisation said: “For many weeks, the STA have been demanding all the tower blocks in Scotland be fire assessed but the Scottish Government will not do this.
“Every public building, like hospitals and schools, should be properly fire tested as well.”
A spokesman for Kingspan said the company were not involved in the design or refurbishment of Grenfell and their insulated panels and facade systems were not used.
But he admitted that after the tragedy, they became aware that “a very small quantity” of Kooltherm K15 had been sourced by a thirdparty distributer and supplied to contractors refurbishing the tower.
He said it appeared the product was used “without our knowledge, as part of a combination for which it was not designed and which Kingspan would never recommend”.
He added: “Kingspan are confident that, properly installed and specified, our products deliver safe, reliable, energy efficient insulation solutions.
“Given the ongoing investigations into the Grenfell fire, it would be inappropriate to comment further.”
It had been thought an insulation material called Celotex RS5000 was the only type used at Grenfell – but on Monday, Channe1 4 News revealed that Kooltherm K15 was also present. On their website, Kingspan list the QEUH as a case-study project and say K15 was used there too. A spokesman added: “Details are best confirmed with the architect or contractor who worked on the specific project. “We emphasise that it would never be acceptable to us for K15 to be used in construction systems that are non-compliant with building regulations.” Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board insisted: “The QEUH is one of the safest buildings in the UK in terms of fire engineering. Multiplex, the main contractors for the hospital construction, have assured us that the Kooltherm K15 insulation boards were properly installed to meet Scotland’s stringent building and fire safety regulations.
“The hospital itself is designed and equipped to the highest standards for fire safety.”
A Holyrood spokeswoman said: “NHSGGC have sought to assure us that the Kingspan Kooltherm K15 Insulation Boards were correctly installed to meet all current building and fire regulations in Scotland.”
The Government are confident in the stringent building and fire safety rules which exist in Scotland but are undertaking a “thorough and critical review of our regulations” in the wake of Grenfell, she added.