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Seventy UK high rises fail new safety tests in wake of Grenfell fire Seventy UK high rises fail new safety tests in wake of Grenfell fire
(35 minutes later)
About 70 high-rise residential blocks have failed fire safety tests carried out in the wake of the Grenfell Tower blaze, the Guardian has learned.About 70 high-rise residential blocks have failed fire safety tests carried out in the wake of the Grenfell Tower blaze, the Guardian has learned.
The precise figures for failures in new combined fire tests for exterior cladding and foam insulation, as used at Grenfell, will be announced by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) on Friday.The precise figures for failures in new combined fire tests for exterior cladding and foam insulation, as used at Grenfell, will be announced by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) on Friday.
It is understood about 70 blocks have failed the tests, which were carried out following advice from an advisory panel of fire safety experts convened to assist the department.It is understood about 70 blocks have failed the tests, which were carried out following advice from an advisory panel of fire safety experts convened to assist the department.
Of the 70, only nine blocks, in Salford, Greater Manchester, are local authority flats, with the rest owned either privately or by housing associations.Of the 70, only nine blocks, in Salford, Greater Manchester, are local authority flats, with the rest owned either privately or by housing associations.
Tests on exterior cladding was ordered for blocks more than 18 metres high following the Grenfell blaze on 14 June, in which at least 80 people died.Tests on exterior cladding was ordered for blocks more than 18 metres high following the Grenfell blaze on 14 June, in which at least 80 people died.
The aluminium composite material (ACM) cladding used at at Grenfell Tower, in west London, was identified as a factor in the rapid spread of the fire. It was initially believed that about 530 social and housing association blocks had the same cladding.The aluminium composite material (ACM) cladding used at at Grenfell Tower, in west London, was identified as a factor in the rapid spread of the fire. It was initially believed that about 530 social and housing association blocks had the same cladding.
Urgent tests by the Building Research Establishment found all such cladding failed combustibility standards. With almost all the tests completed, the DCLG said last week that about 240 blocks were found to have used the ACM cladding.Urgent tests by the Building Research Establishment found all such cladding failed combustibility standards. With almost all the tests completed, the DCLG said last week that about 240 blocks were found to have used the ACM cladding.
During the process, a panel of fire safety experts appointed by the communities secretary, Sajid Javid, recommended that more thorough tests were also run, involving three different types of ACM cladding combined with various types of insulation.During the process, a panel of fire safety experts appointed by the communities secretary, Sajid Javid, recommended that more thorough tests were also run, involving three different types of ACM cladding combined with various types of insulation.
This is the type of test in which samples from 70 blocks have been found to have failed to meet necessary standards.This is the type of test in which samples from 70 blocks have been found to have failed to meet necessary standards.
Many blocks have been retrofitted with foam insulation to make flats more energy-efficient, with this generally covered in a decorate and rainproof cladding. As well meeting combustibility tests, such combinations should also have been installed with appropriate fire-stopping to prevent any blaze spreading up the exterior of a block.Many blocks have been retrofitted with foam insulation to make flats more energy-efficient, with this generally covered in a decorate and rainproof cladding. As well meeting combustibility tests, such combinations should also have been installed with appropriate fire-stopping to prevent any blaze spreading up the exterior of a block.
The shadow housing minister, John Healey, has criticised the testing programme as too slow and potentially too narrow, saying the checks on high-rise blocks should also examine wider fire safety issues.The shadow housing minister, John Healey, has criticised the testing programme as too slow and potentially too narrow, saying the checks on high-rise blocks should also examine wider fire safety issues.
The new tests will form a key element of an inquiry into the blaze, an initial element of which is expected to report urgently on what caused the fire and to recommend measures to prevent a repeat anywhere else. There is also a parallel police investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.The new tests will form a key element of an inquiry into the blaze, an initial element of which is expected to report urgently on what caused the fire and to recommend measures to prevent a repeat anywhere else. There is also a parallel police investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
On Thursday, it emerged that the Scotland Yard investigation into the fire has concluded there are “reasonable grounds” to suspect the local council, Kensington and Chelsea, and the organisation that managed the tower block. of corporate manslaughter.On Thursday, it emerged that the Scotland Yard investigation into the fire has concluded there are “reasonable grounds” to suspect the local council, Kensington and Chelsea, and the organisation that managed the tower block. of corporate manslaughter.
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