INFORMATION
The briefing
NEWS AND VIEWS FROM THE INDUSTRY
Grenfell Inquiry
JANUARY 2021
T
BUILDING ENGINEER
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he latter months of 2020 saw many sensational headlines in the media around the ongoing investigation into the Grenfell disaster. It is important to focus on the facts rather than the headlines, and video coverage of the evidence can be viewed here: grenfelltowerinquiry.org.uk/ The inquiry has been focused on examining the testing, marketing and sale of the insulation materials attached to the walls of the tower. That is, the cladding panels (thin aluminium sheets bonded to a core of polyethylene) and two forms of combustible foam insulation fitted behind them. The inquiry has brought to bear the tests’ inaccuracies, which led to errors in classification and marketing of the products, and the farreaching implications of faults throughout the long, decision-making chain of communication within the industry. As Peter Apps’ article in The Spectator notes: “What has emerged is evidence that suggests each of these firms were aware their products posed serious fire risks, but this was concealed from both regulators and the market so they could be sold for use on high rises.” Apps’ goes into further detail of the evidence presented in this Inside Housing article bit.ly/GrenWk19. The inquiry is ongoing.
“A
home is somewhere you should feel safe,” begins the cabinet statement on building safety funding in Wales by Julie James, Minister for Housing and Local Government. It continues to state that many living in high-rise properties are concerned about potential building defects, which pose fire and broader health and safety risks. “I do not think it is right for leaseholders, who bought properties unaware that they had fundamental defects, to pay for remediation; neither do I think it is right that the Welsh taxpayer should do so.
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“Where developers have clearly failed to build to required standards, they should step up to their responsibility and put these faults right. I am keen that as UK governments we explore every available avenue to ensure that those best able to address the issues meet their responsibilities.” The statement requests developers meet with the Welsh government to explore what can be done and what the remedial work funding needs to cover. Read the statement at gov.wales/written-statementbuilding- safety-funding-wales
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NEW APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES HAVE BEEN CREATED ON THE HS2 PROJECT
IMAGES: NOUN PROJECY, ISTOCK IMAGES
Building safety in Wales
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