Three towers in London use same cladding material as Grenfell

Council-owned housing body Barnet Homes pointed out that not all elements of the exterior of the three towers – on the Granville Road Estate close to the A41 – were the same as that of Grenfell Tower.

“The cladding system at Granville Road is different to what media reports suggest was used at Grenfell Tower,” said Barnet Homes in a statement.

“The insulation materials behind the exterior rain screen panels are different and made from a non-combustible mineral fibre material. In addition, fire stops have been installed at each floor level and around each window. The fire stops are also made of a non-combustible material.”

Barnet Homes said physical samples from the towers would be sent to the Building Research Establishment for analysis. It added that it managed seven other towers of at least five storeys in height with cladding of some description and would be looking into the material used on all of these.

“All blocks with communal areas are subject to regular fire safety inspections,” added the statement. “Barnet Homes has stringent measures in place to ensure the safety of residents living in our properties.”

Chancellor Philip Hammond told the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show this weekend that the criminal investigation into last week’s tragic fire would include checking whether the external finish to the 24-storey Grenfell Tower fell foul of building regulations.

However, firms involved in Grenfell Tower’s recent refurbishment insisted the use of Reynobond PE panels was legal.

John Cowley, managing director of CEP Architectural Facades, said: “Reynobond PE is not banned in the UK. Current building regulations allow its use in both low-rise and high-rise structures.”

Some 79 people are now dead or missing and presumed dead as a result of the fire that swept through Grenfell Tower in the early hours of last Wednesday morning.

No cause has yet been established; a public inquiry has been announced.