On June 14, 2017, tragedy struck the Grenfell Tower in London when a devastating fire broke out, claiming the lives of 71 people.
The cause of the rapid spread of the fire? Combustible plastic materials used in the building’s cladding.
As investigations and inquiries into the disaster continue, it has become clear that this is not an isolated incident, but rather a symptom of a much larger problem – a national fire safety crisis.
Sky News recently released a documentary titled “Britain’s Fire Safety Crisis” which sheds light on the dangerous trend of using combustible plastic materials for insulating buildings.
The use of these materials, which can ignite and spread quickly in the event of a fire, has been on the rise due to a push for more eco-friendly and cost-effective building practices.
Unfortunately, this has led to a dangerous situation where buildings of all sizes are at risk.
One of the key themes that emerges from the documentary is the repeated warnings from fire safety experts and building regulators about the dangers of using these materials.
However, their concerns were routinely ignored and they were even silenced in some cases.
This raises questions about the accountability and responsibility of those in positions of power who were aware of the risks but chose to turn a blind eye.
The roots of this crisis can be traced back to 2011 when the Department for Energy and Climate Change set up a committee with representatives from major insulation firms to reduce energy waste in homes.
However, what many people didn’t realize was that four out of ten members on this committee were part of a powerful plastic insulation lobby group called BROOFMA (now known as the Insulation Manufacturers Association).
This group had high-level involvement in shaping policies and regulations related to insulation materials.
The focus was on maximizing profits and promoting these materials as an environmentally friendly option, rather than addressing the potential dangers. And when it came to safety concerns, it seems that fire safety was not even mentioned in the discussions. As Simon Hay, a fire safety investigator who was part of the committee, stated in the documentary, “I’m not aware of the fact that fire was mentioned.”
The dangers of using combustible plastic materials for insulation were brought to light in 1999 when a fire broke out at a block of flats in Scotland. A man lost his life, and five others were injured. This tragedy prompted MP Brian Donohoe to push for a parliamentary inquiry and resulted in the banning of combustible cladding on tower blocks in Scotland. However, no change was made in England.
Further warning signs came in 2009 when another fire broke out, this time at Lacanal House in London. Despite six deaths and 20 injuries, the government failed to take immediate action and make necessary changes to building regulations. The Regulatory Reform Order in 2005 led to the scrapping of fire certificates, which were previously issued by a fire officer after an inspection at the end of a project. This system of self-certification by building owners has proven to be weaker, as their interests may not necessarily align with the safety of those living and working in these buildings.
Even after the Grenfell Tower disaster, there are still concerns about the effectiveness of building regulations and oversight. The National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) conducted a study on the materials used on Grenfell Tower and found that they had significantly more fuel potential compared to wood frame construction. This suggests that current regulations may not account for the high risk posed by combustible plastic materials.
It’s clear that action needs to be taken immediately to address this national fire safety crisis before more lives are lost. There must be greater accountability for those responsible for ensuring building safety, and regulations must be updated to prevent the use of flammable materials.
As citizens, we must also make our voices heard and demand that safety is prioritized over cost-cutting and convenience. The lives of innocent people should never be put at risk for the sake of profit.
In conclusion, the Grenfell Tower disaster is a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of ignoring warnings and cutting corners when it comes to safety. It’s time for the government and building industry to take responsibility and make necessary changes to prevent future tragedies. Let us not forget the lives lost in this preventable tragedy, and let us demand accountability and change for the safety of our communities.
