UK fire tests show 82 buildings have failed cladding systems
Posted July 28, 2017 7:00 am
LONDON (AP) - British authorities have identified 82 buildings whose cladding failed to meet fire safety tests ordered after the west London tower fire last month that killed at least 80 people.
The British government ordered more thorough testing on the cladding systems following the June 14 fire, which began with a fire in a refrigerator and spread quickly throughout a 24-story building that had 129 units.
Experts have warned about risks posed by the cladding for years because some systems use highly flammable plastic foam insulation, which can rapidly spread fires once it ignites, as previously seen in Australia, China and Dubai. Even aluminum composite panels rated fire-resistant can be dangerous if they aren't properly installed.
FILE- In this Friday June 16, 2017 file photo, protesters walk towards the Grenfell Tower, during a demonstration following the fire that engulfed the 24-storey building on Wednesday morning, in London. British police said Thursday they have "reasonable grounds" to suspect that local authorities may have committed corporate manslaughter in a deadly high-rise fire in London.(AP Photo/Tim Ireland, File)
The Associated Press
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