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Premier Inn investigates cladding safety of its buildings Premier Inn investigates cladding safety of its buildings
(about 1 hour later)
The UK’s largest hotel group, Premier Inn, is reviewing the safety of its buildings amid fears that cladding used on some properties does not meet safety regulations.The UK’s largest hotel group, Premier Inn, is reviewing the safety of its buildings amid fears that cladding used on some properties does not meet safety regulations.
The chain, which has more than 700 hotels, said three of its properties – in Maidenhead, Brentford and Tottenham – have been specifically investigated during a “detailed assessment” of its estate. The chain, which has more than 700 hotels, said three of its properties – in Maidenhead, Brentford and Tottenham – had been specifically investigated during a “detailed assessment” of its estate.
The material was not the same as that used to clad the Grenfell Tower, where after a devastating fire the number presumed dead is at 79, a spokeswoman said, but the company had called in an expert to review the safety of its buildings. A spokeswoman said the material was not the same as that used to clad Grenfell Tower, where police have confirmed that 79 people died or are presumed to have died in the devastating fire, but the company had called in an expert to review the safety of its buildings.
She said: “Although we have concerns that the fire-retardant cladding used may not adhere to recognised government guidance on compliance with the building regulations for use in high-rise buildings, an independent fire expert has assured us that these hotels are safe and that they are entirely satisfied that there are robust fire safety measures and evacuation procedures in place to protect our guests and team members.”She said: “Although we have concerns that the fire-retardant cladding used may not adhere to recognised government guidance on compliance with the building regulations for use in high-rise buildings, an independent fire expert has assured us that these hotels are safe and that they are entirely satisfied that there are robust fire safety measures and evacuation procedures in place to protect our guests and team members.”
The development comes as thousands of tower block residents around the UK have been warned their homes are clad with the same flammable aluminium panels believed to have fuelled the deadly blaze at Grenfell. Thousands of tower block residents around the UK have been warned that their homes are clad with the same flammable aluminium panels believed to have fuelled the deadly blaze at Grenfell Tower.
Downing Street has said it had already identified 11 tower blocks across eight local authority areas with similar aluminium composite cladding, the type blamed for the spread of the fire at the north Kensington tower. Downing Street said it had identified 11 tower blocks across eight local authority areas with similar aluminium composite cladding to that used at the North Kensington tower.
Inquiries by the Guardian suggested that at least 25 towers, including 13 in London, nine in Salford and three in Plymouth, had cladding of the aluminium composite type, and 12 of these were believed by local authorities to have a combustible polyethylene core. Cladding at the other 13 high rises was still being tested.Inquiries by the Guardian suggested that at least 25 towers, including 13 in London, nine in Salford and three in Plymouth, had cladding of the aluminium composite type, and 12 of these were believed by local authorities to have a combustible polyethylene core. Cladding at the other 13 high rises was still being tested.
About 600 towers across the UK have been clad, and some of these are likely to have flammable systems, the Department for Communities and Local Government has estimated.About 600 towers across the UK have been clad, and some of these are likely to have flammable systems, the Department for Communities and Local Government has estimated.
Councils have been asked to conduct safety checks, sending building materials to Whitehall to be tested. Councils have been asked to conduct safety checks, sending building materials to the Building Research Establishment to be tested.
Three blocks with such panels have been identified in Newham, in east London, three in Barnet, north London, and one in Havering, east London. Three blocks with aluminium cladding panels have been identified in Newham, in east London, three in Barnet, north London, and one in Havering, east London.
A Lambeth council spokesman said none of its high-rise or medium-rise buildings use the same cladding system as that used at Grenfell, but that it is testing samples from all 31 of its housing blocks over six storeys and are partially or fully clad. All cladding work carried out in the past five years used rockwool cladding, which the spokesman said was “fundamentally different”. A Lambeth council spokesman said none of its high-rise or medium-rise buildings used the same cladding system as that used at Grenfell Tower, but that it was testing samples from all 31 of its housing blocks that were over six storeys and partially or fully clad. All cladding work carried out in the past five years used Rockwool cladding, which the spokesman said was “fundamentally different”.
In Hounslow, the council said Clement Court is the only high-rise to have used cladding made from aluminium composite material. The cladding uses non-flammable rockwool insulation, but a sample has been sent to the Building Research Establishment for testing. In Hounslow, the council said Clements Court was the only high-rise to have used cladding made from aluminium composite material. The cladding uses non-flammable Rockwool insulation, but a sample had been sent to the Building Research Establishment for testing.
London Fire Brigade has said that since the fire on 14 June it has been “flooded” with questions from the public about whether it is safe to live in a tower block. London fire brigade has said that since the fire on 14 June it has been “flooded” with questions from the public about whether it is safe to live in a tower block.
Fire crews are to visit premises identified with cladding made of aluminium composite material to check the fire safety of the building. Fire crews are to visit premises identified as having cladding made of aluminium composite material to check the fire safety of the building.
Islington council has confirmed that cladding is to be removed from a high-rise block within the borough, Braithwaite House, after tests revealed the presence of aluminium composite material (ACM).
Diarmaid Ward, Islington council’s executive member for housing and development, said: “As a landlord, safety is our number one priority and we will do whatever it takes to ensure people are safe in our estates.
“Last night, we received results of tests on cladding on the side of Braithwaite House, and they have confirmed the presence of aluminium composite material.
“We’re arranging to have the cladding, which is only on the sides of the building, removed as soon as we possibly can by a specialist contractor.
“We’re also stepping up safety measures in the block immediately, with fire safety patrols taking place day and night from today until the panels are removed.
“Our housing staff were at Braithwaite House last night to carry out fire checks and clear any obstructions in communal areas. We’re also taking advice from London fire brigade and will follow all their recommendations.
“We know this news will be distressing to residents. We have organised a drop-in session with residents today and also there will be an information point at St John’s Street area housing office.”