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Revealed: external panels probable cause of huge tower block fire spread
Councils have been warned over the use of insulation panels on high-rise buildings, after tests revealed they are “likely” to have caused a devastating fire to rip through a tower block last year.
Flames tore across five floors of the Shepherd’s Court building in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham (H&F) last August in scenes reminiscent of the Lakanal House tragedy, after a faulty tumble dryer caught fire on the seventh floor.
Documents released to Inside Housing under the Freedom of Information Act this week revealed that an investigation showed panels attached to the outside of the building came apart when burnt, exposing flammable insulation material and plywood to the blaze.
It concluded this “is likely to have assisted the fire in spreading up the outside of the building”, with the London Fire Brigade (LFB) warning H&F and all other London boroughs about use of the panels. No details surrounding the spread of the fire had previously been released.
THE INVESTIGATION
Inside Housing has seen a report on the panels, compiled for the LFB by consultancy Bureau Veritas. It found:
- The panels comprised a 17-23mm plywood board, covered by blue polystyrene foam, 1mm steel sheet and decorative white paint
- When exposed to high flames, the polystyrene foam melted away, causing the metal sheet to fall and exposing the foam and wood to the flames
- This is “likely” to have occurred to the panels above the flat where the fire started, with flaming droplets falling and flames spreading up
- The experts concluded this is “likely to have assisted the fire in spreading up the outside of the building, as this mechanism progressively exposes a plywood surface to a developing fire”
In 2009, six people – including three children – died when a fire caused by a faulty television spread through Lakanal House in south London. A coroner’s investigation later revealed panels attached to the building contributed to the spread of the blaze.
Arnold Tarling, chartered surveyor at Hindwoods and fire safety expert, said: “This kind of spread can be catastrophic, particularly where flames can get in through windows and if a ‘stay put’ policy is in place for residents.”
He added: “There is a problem throughout the country with people installing insulation systems with flammable materials like polystyrene onto high-rise blocks.”
In its response to the findings, also released under Freedom of Information Act laws, H&F said it was “surprised” as it “had no prior knowledge” of any fire risk relating to the panels. It has now commissioned CS Todd and Associates to examine the issues.
The panels, which were made of polystyrene mounted on plywood covered by a 1mm steel sheet, were installed during window replacement work 10 years ago. This work was originally carried out by now defunct contractor Connaught and completed by Balfour Beatty.
Balfour Beatty worked on the project between 2010/2011, undertaking works such as the replacement of UPVC windows. However it is understood the company did not carry out any works to the cladding panels and were not involved in the building’s design.
A spokesperson for the LFB said: “We have written to Hammersmith and Fulham Council and all other London boroughs to inform them of the results and have advised that they review the use of these panels in their buildings and take appropriate action to mitigate the fire risk.”
The fire service advises people living in high rises to stay in their homes unless heat or smoke is affecting them, as it can often be more dangerous outside the flat. Buildings are supposed to give a minimum of 30 minutes protection from fire.
An H&F Council spokesperson said: “Following the fire at Shepherd’s Court in August 2016, H&F council immediately commenced a review of our fire safety procedures, alongside an extensive borough-wide public information campaign.
“H&F has commissioned leading practitioners in fire safety and fire engineering, to examine in detail the issues raised by LFB.”
Inside Housing is still awaiting a response from H&F to several queries about Shepherd’s Court made under the Freedom of Information Act. The council is considering the “public interest” in releasing the information.
UPDATE: 13.04.2017 at 9.24am
The headline of this story has changed
