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Grenfell Tower: Sixty blocks 'fail new fire test' Grenfell Tower: Sixty blocks 'fail new fire test'
(about 1 hour later)
Cladding and insulation used in at least 60 tower blocks has failed a new fire safety test, the BBC understands.Cladding and insulation used in at least 60 tower blocks has failed a new fire safety test, the BBC understands.
The test was more thorough than previous checks after the Grenfell Tower fire, which just examined cladding from high-rise buildings.The test was more thorough than previous checks after the Grenfell Tower fire, which just examined cladding from high-rise buildings.
The new test checked the cladding in combination with the foam insulation that was used in Grenfell.The new test checked the cladding in combination with the foam insulation that was used in Grenfell.
That combination is used in at least 60 other blocks. Only nine - in Salford - have been identified so far. It is thought nine blocks in Salford are the only local government-owned buildings to be affected so far.
Local Government Association chairman Lord Porter said housing associations and private sector landlords will be among those that own the 60 tower blocks which failed the new fire test.
He added that intellectual property rights on the installation of cladding systems means the identification of tower blocks affected by fire safety issues may not be made public.
The Department for Communities and Local Government will publish its full findings of the "whole system fire test", along with guidance, later this morning.The Department for Communities and Local Government will publish its full findings of the "whole system fire test", along with guidance, later this morning.
At least 80 people died in the Grenfell Tower fire in North Kensington on 14 June.At least 80 people died in the Grenfell Tower fire in North Kensington on 14 June.
The test - conducted by the Building Research Establishment near Watford - involved starting a fire underneath a large-scale mock-up of the insulation system used at Grenfell, BBC Newsnight has reported. The test - conducted by the Building Research Establishment near Watford - involved starting a fire underneath a large-scale mock-up of the insulation system used at Grenfell.
The mock-up used a so-called PIR plastic foam, a type of combustible insulation, and aluminium panels with a combustible polyethylene plastic core.The mock-up used a so-called PIR plastic foam, a type of combustible insulation, and aluminium panels with a combustible polyethylene plastic core.
This is the most flammable of the six combinations of insulation and cladding that will be tested.This is the most flammable of the six combinations of insulation and cladding that will be tested.
Previously the core of cladding from tower blocks was tested, but Lord Porter said: "It was fairly evident from the Grenfell fire that there was more than just the panels that was a fire risk on that building."
Salford Council had already said it expected its towers to fail.Salford Council had already said it expected its towers to fail.
The nine blocks built in the 1960s were re-clad recently with shiny coloured panels, and insulation to cut energy bills.The nine blocks built in the 1960s were re-clad recently with shiny coloured panels, and insulation to cut energy bills.
Salford had already begun removing cladding and the process will continue.Salford had already begun removing cladding and the process will continue.
It is likely to cost the authority tens of millions of pounds and they are asking for help from central government. Deputy mayor John Merry said tests would take place in August to ensure new cladding systems "meets the necessary safety standards".
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service has changed its "stay put" fire safety policy to a full evacuation of the buildings.
It is likely to cost the authority tens of millions of pounds and it is asking for help from central government.
Lord Porter said he hoped the Treasury would provide some of the money required by local government to replace cladding.
He added that current "building regulations" were "not fit for purpose".
The test results come after police investigating the Grenfell Tower fire told residents they have "reasonable grounds" to suspect that corporate manslaughter offences may have been committed by Kensington and Chelsea Council and the tenant management organisation that ran the block .The test results come after police investigating the Grenfell Tower fire told residents they have "reasonable grounds" to suspect that corporate manslaughter offences may have been committed by Kensington and Chelsea Council and the tenant management organisation that ran the block .
Senior executives are likely to be interviewed under caution.Senior executives are likely to be interviewed under caution.
Meanwhile, the site manager at Grenfell Tower, Michael Lockwood, has told a public meeting the building would be covered in a protective wrap in August.Meanwhile, the site manager at Grenfell Tower, Michael Lockwood, has told a public meeting the building would be covered in a protective wrap in August.
He said that he expected the demolition of the tower block would begin "towards the end of 2018".He said that he expected the demolition of the tower block would begin "towards the end of 2018".