Cladding banned in Britain, says Chancellor:
Firm that makes tiles disputes his claim
CLADDING USED on Grenfell Tower is banned in Britain, the Chancellor admitted yesterday, as Government staff were drafted in to handle the ongoing response to the disaster.
Philip Hammond said a criminal investigation and public inquiry into the fatal blaze will examine whether building regulations were breached at the tower block in west London.
“My understanding is the cladding in question, this flammable cladding which is banned in Europe and the US, is also banned here,” he told the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show.
But the company which fabricated rainscreen panels and windows for the tower disputed his claim, saying the key question was actually whether the overall design had been properly tested.
John Cowley is managing director of CEP Architectural Facades, which carried out fabricating work for cladding sub-contractor Harley Facades Limited.
“Reynobond PE is not banned in the UK,” he said. “Current building regulations allow its use in both low-rise and high-rise structures.
“The key question now is whether the overall design of the building’s complete exterior was properly tested and subsequently signed off by the relevant authorities including the fire officer, building compliance officer and architect before commencement of the project.”
Police have warned the death toll from the fire could rise further after confirming at least 58 people had died, or are missing and presumed dead.
NHS England said 18 patients remained in hospital yesterday, including nine in critical care.
At 58 casualties, it would make the Grenfell Tower blaze the deadliest in the capital since the Second World War.
Meanwhile, senior civil servants have been called in to deal with the aftermath of the tragedy amid criticism of the way the crisis has been handled by Kensington and Chelsea council.
The Home Office said it is “making arrangements” for the family of 23-year-old Syrian refugee Mohammad Alhajali to travel to the UK for his funeral.
Prime Minister Theresa May, who met victims at 10 Downing Street on Saturday, has ordered more boots on the ground.
She said there had been “huge frustrations” as people struggled to find information.
“I have ordered that more staff be deployed across the area, wearing high-visibility clothing, so they can easily be found, dispense advice and ensure the right support is provided,” she added.
More than 250 firefighters tackled the blaze in north Kensington, which London Fire Commissioner Dany Cotton has likened to a “disaster movie”.
Speaking to The Observer, she said: “Had we just followed standard fire brigade procedures, we would not have been able to commit firefighters in and conduct the rescues we did.”
Police still want to speak to anyone who escaped the blaze, but has not made themselves known.