Insulate - The Essential Insulation Magazine - May 2018

The only independent insulation industry trade magazine
prevent compromised fire safety and put lives at risk. What
we are arguing for could be implemented tomorrow, would be
extremely effective in making buildings safer, and help prevent
a tragedy such as Grenfell ever happening again.”
Professor Richard Hull, Professor of Chemistry and Fire
Science at University of Central Lancashire said: “Grenfell
has left no doubt about the dangers of combustible facades on
tall buildings. The recent ABI report shows the problems with
the current testing regime. Until they are resolved, we cannot
endanger more people by allowing combustible materials to be
put on the outside of high rise and high risk buildings.”
Alan Brinson, Executive Director, European Fire Sprinkler
Network said: “Sprinklers are highly effective fire safety
systems. They are not expensive and have been fitted in many
existing buildings. The public recognises all this and supports
their wider use. Wales already requires sprinklers in all new
housing and in Scotland there is a proposal to require them in
more buildings. All eyes are now on England.”
The Local Government Association (LGA) has more
specifically come out in support of using non-combustible
cladding and insulation only saying “The LGA strongly
supports the view that only non-combustible materials should
be used in cladding systems on these buildings”.
MIMA has pressed for years in support of using
non-combustible cladding and insulation that can inhibit
the spread of fire and won’t emit any significant amounts
of toxic smoke. Non-combustible materials can help
contain a fire, making the difference between a fire in a
building and a building on fire. The Government’s review
and inquiry will run their courses but will take significant
time so there is every reason to make these crucial and
logical changes straightaway to ensure that buildings are
being constructed in a safe manner.
This is not a “do nothing” approach whilst we await the
outcomes of the Hackitt Review. We need very real and
practical action in the short to medium term and
Government must lead this action from the front.
More from MIMA:
For more compelling articles from Sarah Kostense-Winterton why not read the following online now:
• The Key to Housing Industry’s Success
• Safety and Quality Priority in 2018
• Ambition for Energy Efficiency
• How the Government can make our Buildings Great Again
This is not a “do
nothing” approach whilst
we await the outcomes of
the Hackitt Review.
We need very real and
practical action in the
short to medium term and
Government must lead
this action from the front.
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