After the tragic fire that swept through London’s Grenfell Tower on June 14, killing an estimated 79 people, the British government ordered tests to be carried out on buildings across England with similar cladding.
Information is still coming out about what caused the fire and why it spread so quickly, but the initial belief is that cladding added during a recent refurbishment may have played a large role in causing the fire to spread. An ongoing criminal investigation will determine if the cladding complied with the relevant fire and building regulations.
In total, tests for 600 high-rise buildings have been ordered by the British government. It is unknown how many of those buildings have already been tested, but according to theguardian.com, seven blocks have been found to use combustible cladding similar to that used on Grenfell Tower.
Further tests will be done to ensure these seven blocks are safe. If, after these subsequent tests, the cladding is deemed to be unsafe, the residents will be rehoused until the cladding can be replaced.
Meanwhile, the London borough of Camden has immediately begun removing cladding from five tower blocks deemed to be unsafe according to independent testing by the Camden council. The cladding was found to possess similarities to the cladding used on Grenfell Tower. As this cladding is removed, 24-hour safety wardens are stationed in each of the blocks, according to The Telegraph.
Grenfell Tower's displaced residents are being moved to a currently unfinished luxury block about two miles south of the scene of the fire. The Corporation of London purchased 68 units for the families displaced by the fire. This plan has drawn mixed reactions since it was announced.
Related Stories
| May 13, 2014
19 industry groups team to promote resilient planning and building materials
The industry associations, with more than 700,000 members generating almost $1 trillion in GDP, have issued a joint statement on resilience, pushing design and building solutions for disaster mitigation.
| May 5, 2014
Tragic wired glass injury makes headlines yet again
In the story, a high school student pushed open a hallway door glazed with wired glass. His arm not only broke the glass, but penetrated it, causing severe injuries. SPONSORED CONTENT
Sponsored | | May 3, 2014
Fire-rated glass floor system captures light in science and engineering infill
In implementing Northwestern University’s Engineering Life Sciences infill design, Flad Architects faced the challenge of ensuring adequate, balanced light given the adjacent, existing building wings. To allow for light penetration from the fifth floor to the ground floor, the design team desired a large, central atrium. One potential setback with drawing light through the atrium was meeting fire and life safety codes.
| Apr 25, 2014
Recent NFPA 80 updates clarify fire rated applications
Code confusion has led to misapplications of fire rated glass and framing, which can have dangerous and/or expensive results. Two recent NFPA 80 revisions help clarify the confusion. SPONSORED CONTENT
| Apr 8, 2014
Fire resistive curtain wall helps The Kensington meet property line requirements
The majority of fire rated glazing applications occur inside a building to allow occupants to exit the building safely or provide an area of refuge during a fire. But what happens when the threat of fire comes from the outside? This was the case for The Kensington, a mixed-use residential building in Boston.
Sponsored | | Jan 30, 2014
Transparent, fire rated stairwell enhances design of renovated Cincinnati Art Museum
When the Cincinnati Art Museum embarked on an $11 million renovation, the architects wanted the entrance and main stair to be as inviting as possible. Transparent, fire rated glazing from SAFTI FIRST was a key component of the design solution.
| Jan 13, 2014
AEC professionals weigh in on school security
An exclusive survey reveals that Building Teams are doing their part to make the nation’s schools safer in the aftermath of the Sandy Hook tragedy.
| Jan 10, 2014
What the states should do to prevent more school shootings
To tell the truth, I didn’t want to write about the terrible events of December 14, 2012, when 20 children and six adults were gunned down at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. I figured other media would provide ample coverage, and anything we did would look cheap or inappropriate. But two things turned me around.
| Jan 10, 2014
Special Report: K-12 school security in the wake of Sandy Hook
BD+C's exclusive five-part report on K-12 school security offers proven design advice, technology recommendations, and thoughtful commentary on how Building Teams can help school districts prevent, or at least mitigate, a Sandy Hook on their turf.
| Jan 9, 2014
16 recommendations on security technology to take to your K-12 clients
From facial recognition cameras to IP-based door hardware, here are key technology-related considerations you should discuss with your school district clients.
