The UK construction industry is reflecting on the findings of the Phase 2 Grenfell Inquiry report, which found “systemic dishonesty” from both building control professionals and manufacturers
The final report on Phase 2 of the Grenfell Tower inquiry, led by Sir Martin Moore-Bick with fellow panellists architect Thouria Istephan and housing expert Ali Akbor, was a compelling read on the factors that led to the tragic loss of life in 2017.
Failings were identified at almost every stage of the process behind the installation of combustible foam insulation and cladding panels, including: “the government, the tenant management organisation the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, those who manufactured and supplied the materials used in the refurbishment, those who certified their suitability for use on high rise buildings, the architect, the principal contractor and some of its subcontractors, some of the consultants, the local authorities’ building control department and the London fire brigade.”
Those named in the Phase 2 Grenfell inquiry report include LABC, Kingspan, Celeotex and Rydon
Kingspan’s response to the Grenfell Tower inquiry report:
“Today is another extremely difficult day for the relatives and survivors of the Grenfell Tower fire and we extend our deepest sympathies to those impacted by the tragedy.
“We welcome the publication of today’s report which is crucial to a public understanding of what went wrong and why. It explains clearly and unambiguously that the type of insulation (whether combustible or non-combustible) was immaterial, and that the principal reason for the fire spread was the PE ACM cladding, which was not made by Kingspan.
“Kingspan has long acknowledged the wholly unacceptable historical failings that occurred in part of our UK insulation business. These were in no way reflective of how we conduct ourselves as a Group, then or now. While deeply regrettable, they were not found to be causative of the tragedy.
“Kingspan has already emphatically addressed these issues, including the implementation of extensive and externally-verified measures to ensure our conduct and compliance standards are world leading.
“We remain committed to playing a leading role in providing safe and sustainable building solutions, including continuing to work with government and industry partners.”
LABC response to Grenfell Tower Inquiry final report:
“Our first thoughts and deepest sympathies remain with the bereaved families and survivors who must be finding this a particularly difficult and distressing time.
“We are pleased to see such a comprehensive review of the tragedy at Grenfell Tower. The Inquiry’s final report and recommendations will shape the industry for decades to come.
“The Inquiry has had significant statutory powers which have enabled it to see things others could not see. Following our own internal investigations into historic activities within LABC, we note that the conclusions reached by the inquiry entirely coincide with our own.
“LABC cooperated fully with the Inquiry throughout, providing detailed evidence and testimony. We can see there are justified criticisms about some of our actions at the time. LABC admitted errors at the very first opportunity and apologised immediately and repeatedly. Again, we wholeheartedly acknowledge and apologise for any areas where LABC has failed in the past.
“LABC today is not the same organisation as it was. Even before the Inquiry started, we embarked on a period of radical change as an organisation. We take the Inquiry’s conclusions extremely seriously and will continue the process of reform within LABC itself, and the promotion of new standards, the building safety regime and the registration of the building control profession.”
“We are completely committed to playing our part in educating, building and validating the competence and standards of the building control sector so that we can help deliver safe and decent homes and buildings for all.”
General secretary of the Fire Brigades Union Matt Wrack said to PA Media:
“The FBU has always argued that the fire was the result of decades of failure by central government to regulate the building industry – the prioritisation of private profit over human life.
“This report completely vindicates that position, demonstrating beyond doubt that an agenda of deregulation cost lives.
“Construction companies gamed the system to maximise their profits. A system of semi-privatised building control put commercial interests ahead of regulatory duties.
“Firefighters and fire control staff were put in an impossible position, forced to respond to a fire in a high rise building effectively wrapped in petrol. Again and again, residents and firefighters warned of the dangers of combustible cladding but were ignored.
“The FBU is still digesting the report’s recommendations, but the government must go further than what is set out in this report.”
The deregulation of recent decades must be comprehensively reversed. The systems for delivering building safety must be brought under public ownership and must be given the resources they need.
Other building professionals called for “a cultural shift” towards potential safety risks
In response to today’s publication of the final report of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, Gill Hancock, head of Technical Content at the Association for Project Management (APM) said:
“Today’s publication of the final report of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry is a long-awaited milestone in the response to the tragic loss of 72 lives in June 2017. APM would like to extend our sympathy to all the families impacted by this tragedy.
“As the chartered membership organisation for the project profession, APM is shocked by the report’s findings and the many examples of bad project management practice applied at Grenfell that contributed to the tragedy. These include:
Numerous failures to appoint competent project professionals with the relevant training and experience of managing large projects such as the Grenfell Tower
Not establishing the scope of the work to be undertaken before finalising the budget available or being clear on the focus of the project
Lack of project management capabilities, including no clear responsibilities, failure of information management and no change control
Appointing sub-contractors and project teams that did not have the relevant competence
“The competence framework for managing projects in the built environment, which APM helped to create, is a good step on the journey to ensuring a tragedy like Grenfell never happens again. However, we acknowledge it is only one step. Businesses operating in the built environment sector must recognise the importance of appointing dedicated project experts. Not only that, but they must ensure these people are competent and have the right level of qualifications and training in place.
“Many are doing so already. APM’s goal now is to work with the public and private sector as a whole to ensure this understanding is embedded across industry, so businesses can be confident they are appointing the right people to manage construction projects of all sizes.
“It will take time for the project profession to give careful consideration to the recommendations set out by Sir Martin Moore-Bick in the report and that lessons are learnt. We will continue to work with our members, the wider industry and government to develop appropriate responses and implement the necessary changes.”
CIBSE technical director, Dr Anastasia Mylona, commented on the report: “The findings of the Grenfell Inquiry report are both sobering and a stark reminder of the critical need for transparency, integrity and robust regulation within our industry. As the report highlights systemic failures, CIBSE remains committed to driving the necessary reforms in building and fire safety engineering practices. Our role is to ensure that the highest standards are upheld, and that the safety of residents is always the paramount concern in the built environment.”
Sean Keyes, CEO, Sutcliffe, commented: “Disasters such as Grenfell underpin the importance of upholding the highest ethical conduct in construction, particularly in an industry where mistakes can have catastrophic consequences. Whilst most people uphold the highest standards of professionalism and ethics, there is a pressing need for a cultural shift towards acknowledging potential safety risks no matter what the cost. New regulations and rules have been implemented, but when profit outweighs safety, it is inevitable that society will suffer. That said, the implementation of the Building Safety Act has changed things quite considerably instilling renewed public confidence in the industry.
“Nevertheless, today’s report spotlights serious systemic failings across the board, from politicians, contractors, consultants to material manufacturers; and, how ‘basic safety principles that were known to all’ were disregarded. It highlights that this tragedy was avoidable and must never happen again.”
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