Grenfell Tower: Cladding 'changed to cheaper version'

[nitpicker]

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-40453054

Grenfell Tower: Cladding 'changed to cheaper version'

By Tom Symonds and Daniel De Simone
BBC News

1 hour ago

From the section UK

Cladding fitted to Grenfell Tower during its refurbishment was changed to a cheaper version, documents obtained by the BBC suggest. Documents show the zinc cladding originally proposed was replaced with an aluminium type, which was less fire resistant, saving nearly £300,000. The cladding is thought to have contributed to the spread of the fire that killed at least 80 people. There is no suggestion a deliberate decision was made to cut fire safety.

The documents obtained by the BBC reveal contractors working for Kensington and Chelsea council were asked in 2014 to replace zinc cladding with a more economical aluminium version.

One document - a list of requested savings sent to contractors in July 2014 - details potential savings of £693,161, reducing the cost of the contract from about £9.2m to £8.5m. It includes £293,368 that would be saved by fitting "aluminium cladding in lieu of zinc cladding".

The switch allowed for a change of colour, but the BBC has been told another key reason was to save money. Documents seen by the Times newspaper, reportedly show that, days earlier, the local tenant management organisation had sent an "urgent nudge email" to project management consultants involved in the refurbishment. It says the email urged them to provide "good costs" on cladding that could be shown to the councillor overseeing the work.

Earlier planning documents suggest the original plan was for zinc cladding with a fire-retardant core. Residents had also been told their new cladding would be made of zinc. Both types of cladding have the same official fire rating. Police investigating the disaster have said the tower's cladding has subsequently failed safety tests.
(snip)

[PoliticAverse]

1. "Both types of cladding have the same official fire rating." n/t

[Demsrule86]

2. They put cheap shit on an someone pocketed the difference..obviously it was not fire retardant.

Someone needs to be charged with manslaughter.

[malaise]

3. Follow the money

Check the Trust and see their links to the companies

[Demsrule86]

6. True that ...someone needs to go to jail and May should resign.

[kcr]

5. The cladding actually used is not included in that "both" n/t

[no_hypocrisy]

4. Reminds me of the film The Towering Inferno.

The architect's directions for wiring the mega-building were changed by the owner's SIL to save money and disaster ensued as soon as they turned on all the lights in the building.