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Grenfell Tower: Sixty blocks 'fail new fire test' Grenfell Tower: Sixty blocks 'fail new fire test'
(35 minutes later)
Cladding and insulation used in at least 60 tower blocks will be deemed to have failed a new fire safety test, the BBC understands.Cladding and insulation used in at least 60 tower blocks will be deemed to have failed a new fire safety test, the BBC understands.
The test was more thorough than previous checks after the Grenfell Tower fire, which only tested cladding.The test was more thorough than previous checks after the Grenfell Tower fire, which only tested cladding.
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.
It is thought nine blocks in Salford are the only local government-owned buildings to be affected so far. Nine blocks in Salford are the only local authority-owned buildings so far known to be affected.
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. Local Government Association chairman Lord Porter said buildings owned by housing associations and private sector landlords will also be on the list.
He added that intellectual property rights on the installation of cladding systems mean the identification of tower blocks affected by fire safety issues may not be made public. The location of some of the tower blocks may not be disclosed to the public because of intellectual property rights connected to the cladding systems involved.
Previous tests of cladding and insulation were done by turning the material into powder and setting it off with a spark. But the newest test was done in real-world conditions, where cladding and insulation is built on a vertical rig and set alight.
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. Cladding put on Grenfell Tower in 2015 is thought to have contributed to the spread of the fire in the 24-storey block, which started in a fridge on the fourth floor.
Previous tests of cladding and insulation carried out in the wake of the fire were done by turning the material used to make them into powder and setting it off with a spark. But the newest test was done in real-world conditions, where cladding and insulation is built on a vertical rig and set alight.
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."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.
One resident told the BBC it was "like sitting on a tinderbox".One resident told the BBC it was "like sitting on a tinderbox".
Crisis management expert Prof Edward Borodzicz said: "For the people who live in these buildings, this must be extremely concerning."Crisis management expert Prof Edward Borodzicz said: "For the people who live in these buildings, this must be extremely concerning."
He added there could be a case for evacuating people from towers with unsafe cladding and insulation combinations.He added there could be a case for evacuating people from towers with unsafe cladding and insulation combinations.
Salford had already begun removing cladding and the process will continue. Salford has already begun removing cladding from the towers.
Deputy mayor John Merry said tests would take place in August to ensure new cladding systems "meet the necessary safety standards".
Some housing associations in Greater Manchester have changed their "stay put" fire safety policy to a full evacuation of the buildings following advice from the fire brigade.
It is likely to cost the authority tens of millions of pounds and it is asking for help from central government.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. Lord Porter said he hoped the Treasury would provide some of the money required by local authorities to replace cladding.
Chancellor Phillip Hammond said "no required safety work will not go ahead because of lack of funding". Chancellor Phillip Hammond said lack of funding would not get in the way of making buildings safe.
He added that some local authorities and housing associations would have "reserves" to fund the works, or "access to borrowing" money. He suggested some local authorities and housing associations would have reserves to fund the works, or be able to borrow money.
Prof Borodzicz said: "I'm surprised having identified the faulty cladding that there's even a discussion over who's going to pay for it.
"This is something where central government should take responsibility."
Separately, a man has denied pretending his family died in the Grenfell Tower fire in order to get money from the victim relief fund.Separately, a man has denied pretending his family died in the Grenfell Tower fire in order to get money from the victim relief fund.
Anh Nhu Nguyen, 52, pleaded not guilty to two counts of fraud by false representation at Southwark Crown Court on Friday. Anh Nhu Nguyen, 52, pleaded not guilty to two counts of fraud by false representation at Southwark Crown Court.
Mr Nguyen, of Beckenham, south-east London, is accused of posing as a victim for about a fortnight, in order to allegedly obtain £10,000 from Kensington and Chelsea Council and charities.Mr Nguyen, of Beckenham, south-east London, is accused of posing as a victim for about a fortnight, in order to allegedly obtain £10,000 from Kensington and Chelsea Council and charities.
It is claimed he was given a hotel room, food, electrical items and cash at the relief hub.It is claimed he was given a hotel room, food, electrical items and cash at the relief hub.
He was remanded in custody and his trial is expected to take place in early December.He was remanded in custody and his trial is expected to take place in early December.
Have you been notified that your building is at risk? Let us know about your experiences. Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories.Have you been notified that your building is at risk? Let us know about your experiences. Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories.
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