Polyethylene cladding found on Grenfell Tower on ‘scores of towers’

The same cladding believed to have contributed to the Grenfell fire is on at least 52 tower blocks in London, a BBC investigation has revealed.

Grenfell Tower had cladding made of aluminium sheets with a polyethylene core. The BBC has now found it on buildings owned by councils, housing associations and companies. Some may not be removed. The government says it is working with landlords to keep people safe.

Cladding samples from 294 buildings nationwide have now failed government flammability test, but it was not revealed how many used polyethylene.

In London, more than half of the 88 buildings that were tested failed. The BBC also discovered that dozens of planning applications for recladding have been submitted in London since the fire. Most were not for tower blocks, but smaller homes, offices and shops.

Arnold Tarling, chartered surveyor and fire safety expert, said: “It's like cladding your home in solid petrol. When it becomes liquid it melts, burns and sets fire to polyethylene at higher levels. We learned in the Great Fire of London it's not a good idea to clad buildings in flammable material.

“There will certainly be other properties out there that haven't been identified. And I don't see why it becomes safe at lower levels - the speed of fire spread is so fast it will move on before the fire brigade arrive."

MP Andy Slaughter commented on the figures, saying: “We now know [polyethylene cladding] is used on on a huge, industrial scale. I am horrified, and it draws attention to the fact that more needs to be done. It's clear the standards adopted have not been sufficiently policed. We've got ourselves into a position we should never have been in, and only Grenfell has drawn attention to."

A Department for Communities and Local Government spokesperson said: “Following the Grenfell tragedy, we have been working with local authorities and private landlords to identify buildings that might be at risk and ensure action is taken. This has included issuing government advice on interim safety measures. We have also published clear guidance so building owners can make informed decisions about long-term safety solutions for their buildings."