Horrific Fire Engulfs London Apartment Tower

[Scot Dutchy]

Nobody knows how many were living there. A guy said last night that more than 50% were muslim and there were plenty of refugees. There was probably plenty of illegal subletting. This area is one of the most deprived in the UK next door to one of the richest. The new cladding was totally for visual effect. Why was gas being installed? They should be removing the gas pipes.

[Alan B]

I can only guess that gas was being installed for centrally controlled central heating with one main boiler for the whole block, which with the proper precautions is OK. Usually, though, the boiler house would be separate from the main building. It would not appear to be so in this case.
If this is so, I would expect the added cladding would be to reduce heat loss and not just to look pretty for the toff onlookers. The problem is the choice of materials and perhaps sloppy, i.e. 'cutting corners', installation.

Edit.
The 70-odd landlord Tory MPs have a lot to answer for when they voted down Corbyn's amendment in 2016.
Boing Boing

So it was that a year ago, a group of Tory MPs largely composed of commercial landlords voted down Labour's amendment to the Housing and Planning Bill that would have required landlords to make their properties safe and "fit for human habitation."

[Scot Dutchy]

The impression I got was that gas pipes were being laid throughout the building. In the building plans there was no place for a boiler which would need to be of a considerable size.

[Alan B]

The dangers of asbestos I think are highly over rated......

That's a fucking stupid and ignorant remark.
I used to work in the asbestos industry in a 'benign' laboratory environment. I now have asbestos fibre in my lungs - waiting for something to happen...

[cronus]

The dangers of asbestos I think are highly over rated......

That's a fucking stupid and ignorant remark.
I used to work in the asbestos industry in a 'benign' laboratory environment. I now have asbestos fibre in my lungs - waiting for something to happen...

It's the blue asbestos that kills quick....the white isn't harmless but takes much longer - little different from smoking, except no buzz.

[Scot Dutchy]

It is bloody stupid. It only takes a single exposure for the damage to be done.

[Alan B]

The impression I got was that gas pipes were being laid throughout the building. In the building plans there was no place for a boiler which would need to be of a considerable size.

Oh fuck! That's a crap idea. That is against all safety logic. All the flats I have visited have electric heating and cooking appliances as a mandatory safety requirement.

I bet it's cost - again. Iron gas pipes may be cheaper than copper cabling and fuse box installation.

[Alan B]

The dangers of asbestos I think are highly over rated......

That's a fucking stupid and ignorant remark.
I used to work in the asbestos industry in a 'benign' laboratory environment. I now have asbestos fibre in my lungs - waiting for something to happen...

It's the blue asbestos that kills quick....the white isn't harmless but takes much longer - little different from smoking, except no buzz.

I used to work with both...

[Rum]

The cladding is not just for appearance. The buildings in their original form leaked heat. The cladding is meant to help with insulation and weather resistance. There appears to be a theory that gaps in the stuff caused a chimney effect - causing the updraft which ignited the ensuing blaze.

[Scot Dutchy]

There were also no fire breaks between floors.

[cronus]

Seems everything was being done to turn it into a death-trap. Makes you wonder about the people in charge? and motives? either conscious or subconscious?

[Scot Dutchy]

Another report:
Experts warned government against cladding material used on Grenfell

Investigations are also focused on gas pipes in the stairways and lobbies recently installed by National Grid, which residents had complained had not been boxed in with fire retardant material despite assurances they would be.
London fire brigade said on Thursday a gas main inside the block had ruptured, causing firefighters to work through Wednesday night to isolate it.

There is also uncertainty over how the project’s adherence with building regulations was scrutinised. The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, where Grenfell Tower is situated, said a “full plans decision notice was not required in this case” and that “a completion certificate was issued” instead.

[Brian Peacock]

Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Her other Realms and Territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith has visited some of the victims in hospital today, seemingly shaming the Prime Minister into the same.

[cronus]

Lynch mob stormed the council officers...suits barricaded in their offices. All kicking off, security and police nowhere to be seen....cuts biting back.

[pErvinalia]

Good.