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We must not look at issues in isolation
A system-wide review is needed to ensure the lessons of Grenfell are learned, says Emma Maier
In August 2016, fire ripped up the outside of the Shepherd’s Court tower block in London. Eight months later, details of how and why the blaze spread were still under wraps, so Inside Housing used Freedom of Information Act laws to find out more.
In April we discovered that the London Fire Brigade (LFB) believed it was external window panels that helped the fire spread. We put it on our front page. In a letter dated May, the LFB warned councils and housing associations in London about their concerns and urged them to include external panels in their fire risk assessments.
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It was significant advice, since fire risk assessments do not typically include external cladding. The advice was a measure of LFB’s concern.
Yet the fire brigade did not pass on the warning to landlords outside the capital. It did not make the warning public. It did not seek press coverage to spread the word.
The LFB did not confirm whether they shared their concerns with other fire services.
Meanwhile, this week Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service has confirmed that it advises tenants living in high-rises to “get out and stay out” if a fire breaks out. The advice is in stark contrast to the LFB’s ‘stay put’ policy.
Delegates at Housing 2017, the Chartered Institute of Housing conference and exhibition, also shared differing fire service views on the value of fitting sprinklers into high-rise blocks.
“We must not fall into the trap of looking at issues in isolation.”
It is true that every tower block is different, and that there are decisions that should be taken with knowledge of an individual building and its fire risk assessment. But nevertheless, the differing policies and views across the country, and the seeming lack of communication, should raise questions about co-ordination and oversight of technical, rather than managerial, issues across the fire service.
Communication across geographies and between key stakeholders is vitally important. The issue is unlikely to be confined to the fire service.
In the aftermath of Grenfell, we must not fall into the trap of looking at issues in isolation. A system-wide review is needed to ensure that lessons can truly be learned. This will require transparency.
If we are really to make sure that such a tragedy does not happen again, we must examine not only the role of cladding or indeed the specifics of the fire safety failings at Grenfell, but the role of all stakeholders and the flow of information and learning.
Emma Maier, editor, Inside Housing
