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| Firefighters say post-Grenfell partial cladding ban does not go far enough | Firefighters say post-Grenfell partial cladding ban does not go far enough |
| (4 months later) | |
| The government’s announcement of a partial ban on some combustible cladding after the Grenfell Tower fire does not go far enough, the Fire Brigades Union has said. | The government’s announcement of a partial ban on some combustible cladding after the Grenfell Tower fire does not go far enough, the Fire Brigades Union has said. |
| James Brokenshire, the secretary of state for housing, communities and local government, announced on Monday that panels similar to those that burned so ferociously on 14 June 2017, killing at least 72 people, will no longer be allowed under building regulations. | James Brokenshire, the secretary of state for housing, communities and local government, announced on Monday that panels similar to those that burned so ferociously on 14 June 2017, killing at least 72 people, will no longer be allowed under building regulations. |
| But the FBU said the measures were “designed for political convenience” and failed to address the issue of Grenfell-style cladding already used on nearly 500 buildings across England. | But the FBU said the measures were “designed for political convenience” and failed to address the issue of Grenfell-style cladding already used on nearly 500 buildings across England. |
| Matt Wrack, the FBU general secretary, said: “This is not the outright ban on combustible cladding that firefighters have been calling for. The Westminster government continues to allow cladding of limited combustibility for any building work in the future. The FBU called for a universal ban on these flammable materials.” | Matt Wrack, the FBU general secretary, said: “This is not the outright ban on combustible cladding that firefighters have been calling for. The Westminster government continues to allow cladding of limited combustibility for any building work in the future. The FBU called for a universal ban on these flammable materials.” |
| A Ministry of Housing spokesman said the aluminium composite material panels used on Grenfell Tower were already prohibited but the new regulations will extend the ban to include plastics, wood and products that include combustible materials such as aluminium composite panels in the external wall systems used in residential buildings more than 18 metres tall. | A Ministry of Housing spokesman said the aluminium composite material panels used on Grenfell Tower were already prohibited but the new regulations will extend the ban to include plastics, wood and products that include combustible materials such as aluminium composite panels in the external wall systems used in residential buildings more than 18 metres tall. |
| The only materials that will be allowed are those classed as A1 or A2, which includes elements such as metal, stone and glass, which seldom contribute to fires; or plasterboard, which makes no significant contribution. | The only materials that will be allowed are those classed as A1 or A2, which includes elements such as metal, stone and glass, which seldom contribute to fires; or plasterboard, which makes no significant contribution. |
| Wrack said the measures should apply to all buildings, not just those over 18 metres high, and include a ban on the use of A2 materials.“Many residents of high-rise residential buildings and firefighters wanted more comprehensive action taken against flammable cladding. This government has failed to deliver,” he said. | Wrack said the measures should apply to all buildings, not just those over 18 metres high, and include a ban on the use of A2 materials.“Many residents of high-rise residential buildings and firefighters wanted more comprehensive action taken against flammable cladding. This government has failed to deliver,” he said. |
| In Salford, a resident of one tower block covered in Grenfell-style cladding described the announcement as “good for new buildings but not so good for the rest of us”. “It doesn’t make me feel any happier or safer,” said Jon Smith, who lives on the 20th floor of Thorn Court, one of nine buildings owned by Salford city council that were found to be covered in combustible cladding. | In Salford, a resident of one tower block covered in Grenfell-style cladding described the announcement as “good for new buildings but not so good for the rest of us”. “It doesn’t make me feel any happier or safer,” said Jon Smith, who lives on the 20th floor of Thorn Court, one of nine buildings owned by Salford city council that were found to be covered in combustible cladding. |
| Salford city council accused the government of “betraying the people” after it refused last month to fund the removal of cladding from the nine tower blocks. | Salford city council accused the government of “betraying the people” after it refused last month to fund the removal of cladding from the nine tower blocks. |
| The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government set aside about £400m to help make social housing safe after the Grenfell fire in 2017. However, the blocks were not part of a housing association so did not qualify for funding. | The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government set aside about £400m to help make social housing safe after the Grenfell fire in 2017. However, the blocks were not part of a housing association so did not qualify for funding. |
| A spokesman for the ministry said the government was “fully funding the removal and replacement of unsafe cladding on high-rise social housing buildings”. | A spokesman for the ministry said the government was “fully funding the removal and replacement of unsafe cladding on high-rise social housing buildings”. |
| A spokesman for Brokenshire said: “We are saddened to see the response of the Fire Brigades’ Union. We consulted on this very important matter and indeed went beyond what was asked of us. These measures will save lives, and we are clear building safety is at the very heart of what Mr Brokenshire is doing.” | A spokesman for Brokenshire said: “We are saddened to see the response of the Fire Brigades’ Union. We consulted on this very important matter and indeed went beyond what was asked of us. These measures will save lives, and we are clear building safety is at the very heart of what Mr Brokenshire is doing.” |
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