Government knew cladding should ‘never ever’ be used
GRENFELL INQUIRY HEARS EXPERT TESTIMONY
THE government knew the type of cladding used on Grenfell Tower should “never ever” have been used on high rises above 18 metres as far back as 2002, the Grenfell Tower inquiry heard.
When the cladding was tested, molten metal began to drip from the panel after just three minutes and a 30-minute test was halted after just five minutes for safety reasons when flames went as high as 20metres, the Independent reported.
Former Building Research Establishment director Debbie Smith gave evidence on February 21, claiming the government was in “no doubt” that ACM panels with a Polyethene core - which were used in the refurbishment of Grenfell and played a key role in the fire spreading – should “never ever” be used above 18 metres from mid-September 2002.
The results of fire tests on the cladding were delivered to the government by the Building Research Establishment, she said.
Inside Housing’s Deputy Editor, Peter Apps, also said the government didn’t warn the industry against the use of the cladding and didn’t change guidance to prevent its use on tall buildings.
Matt Wrack, general secretary of the
Fire Brigades Union, said it was “sickening” that the government knew of the risks of cladding 15 years before Grenfell. He said: “It is sickening that the government knew of the risks of this cladding 15 years before the disaster at Grenfell. They did nothing for one and a half decades. Westminster governments are the ones responsible for this failure to regulate properly. “We also have to ask why it has taken almost five years to start to get to these key facts. This highlights much that has gone wrong with this inquiry so far. “Whilst this is appalling, it isn’t a shock. Everything we know about Grenfell and governments’ attitude to fire safety over past decades suggests that priority was always given to the demands of corporate interests above the needs of people.” The trial continues. A DLUHC spokesperson said: “The Grenfell Tower tragedy must never be allowed to happen again. The department has apologised for its past failures in its oversight of building safety - and we continue to support the Inquiry throughout its investigations. “The Inquiry has established that the cladding used on Grenfell Tower was not compliant with the regulations in place at the time and we remain absolutely committed to helping the inquiry get to the truth.”
It is sickening that the government knew of the risks of this cladding 15 years before the disaster at Grenfell. Matt Wrack, Fire Brigades Union