Grenfell Tower block disaster

[SilverFox2]

The testing agency who issued the original certification did something wrong. But that will only apply if the current tests are the same. There is normally an acceptable means of compliance (AMC) for testing and the AMC may change even if the regulation doesn't. It's not black and white but it is fucking tragic.

So effectively they can change the way how it is tested. No problem if they now retest everything they did previously and obviously inform the relevant people. Effectively action a recall. Has this happened ?

 

[kaz7]

Round-the-clock fire patrols are being put in place at buildings where concerns have been raised about fire safety.Sky News

 

[Gelsons Dad]

So effectively they can change the way how it is tested. No problem if they now retest everything they did previously and obviously inform the relevant people. Effectively action a recall. Has this happened ?

I don't know how it works in the building industry but in aviation it happens a lot. However, unless it's critical "grandfather rights" apply so as long as the equipment passed the standards at the time of certification it isn't recalled. For safety critical equipment modifications are mandated but with grace periods depending on the risk. In the worst case fleets are grounded until a safe solution is found.

In the case of this cladding, there will be a lot of people who will need rehousing if they decide it's too dangerous to continue living in these blocks. That in itself has risks involved. I would imagine they will either come up with a mitigation system or a replacement outer layer.

 

[Blue Maverick]

Round-the-clock fire patrols are being put in place at buildings where concerns have been raised about fire safety.Sky News

Who's doing them can't be the brigade surely

 

[kaz7]

Who's doing them can't be the brigade surely

I don't know hun that's all it said

 

[blueinsa]

Round-the-clock fire patrols are being put in place at buildings where concerns have been raised about fire safety.Sky News

Exactly what should have happened in camden as well instead of the almost stage managed and publicised throwing out on the street of over 800 families which im pleased to now see Camden council and its leaders are getting shit for, rightly so!

 

[BlueAnorak]

The testing agency who issued the original certification did something wrong. But that will only apply if the current tests are the same. There is normally an acceptable means of compliance (AMC) for testing and the AMC may change even if the regulation doesn't. It's not black and white but it is fucking tragic.

It also depends on when the original tests were done as the standards were updated slightly in 2010. So it is quite possible for tests to have passed before that data and fail after it.
That said no one in the media has been totally clear as to what tests are being carried out. Is it the standard construction material combustability test or is it a composite test of some sort based on the initial findings of the fire investigation?

 

[cibaman]

That is a good question Silver Fox. Read. Products tested and passed have been used in this block and are now being withdrawn (That is not to
suggest anything untoward as it is very early days and a sensible precaution) . Statements in the media have suggested the composite panels and insulation both failed the tests. Its going to be a long drawn out process until full understanding of what has happened.

Once the products have been tested and approved, who is responsible for ensuring that contractors only use approved products for the purpose that they have been approved?

 

[SilverFox2]

I don't know how it works in the building industry but in aviation it happens a lot. However, unless it's critical "grandfather rights" apply so as long as the equipment passed the standards at the time of certification it isn't recalled. For safety critical equipment modifications are mandated but with grace periods depending on the risk. In the worst case fleets are grounded until a safe solution is found.

In the case of this cladding, there will be a lot of people who will need rehousing if they decide it's too dangerous to continue living in these blocks. That in itself has risks involved. I would imagine they will either come up with a mitigation system or a replacement outer layer.

Regarding cladding, how would they know which cladding fails the new test unless they actually retested all the ones that previously passed.?

After the disaster the cladding is now being tested and apparently failing, I appreciate the scale of this fire was unusual but surely if they had sufficient grounds to suspect a potential failure then retest should have been done if only to pass on the problem of what to do to those that may have used it.
The decision to retest would have given them a big problem if failure occurs so possibly they thought let sleeping dogs lie.

The white goods industry manufacturers often recall products because of potential failure usually involving fire or electrical mishap.

 

[Vic]

May made statement in the Commons about the fire and repeatedly failed to commit to reimburse councils for making high rise safe. Just after agreeing a billion for NI.

But she also responded to a question about fire service cuts by saying at Grenfell it was not just firefighters but urban search and rescue teams involved. Surely the only USAR teams in London are drawn from London firefighters?