Grenfell Tower fire: Premier Inn expresses concern over cladding on three hotels

Move follows government announcement that at least 11 council-owned high rises in eight areas across the UK are fitted with combustible panelling

Lucy Pasha-Robinson
Friday 23 June 2017 09:57 BST
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Camden council has started removing cladding from five of its council blocks after testing found it was flammable
Camden council has started removing cladding from five of its council blocks after testing found it was flammable

A leading hotel chain has expressed "concerns" about the cladding used on some of its buildings after it emerged at least 11 council-owned high rises are fitted with similar combustible panelling to that used on Grenfell Tower.

Premier Inn said three of its properties - in Maidenhead, Brentford and Tottenham - have been investigated during a "detailed assessment" of its estate.

The material was not the same as that used to clad the north Kensington block where a devastating fire killed at least 79 people, a spokesperson said, but the company has called in an expert to review the safety of its buildings.

"The safety and security of our guests and team members is always our number one priority," the spokesperson said.

"Although we have concerns that the fire retardant cladding used may not adhere to recognised government guidance on compliance with the building regulations for use in high rise buildings, an independent fire expert has assured us that these hotels are safe and that they are entirely satisfied that there are robust fire safety measures and evacuation procedures in place to protect our guests and team members."

It comes after the government announced cladding on 600 council blocks across the UK would need to undergo testing to determine if it is safe.

Tests revealed blocks in eight areas across the UK were fitted with flammable panels after a "small number" of samples were analysed, the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) said.

It was unclear whether the same rigorous testing would also apply to other high-rise buildings outside of the housing sector. The Independent contacted the Cabinet office to ask whether hospitals, schools and other publicly-owned high-rise buildings would also be tested but did not receive a response.

The Government has also encouraged private landlords to send in samples for testing but they are under no obligation to do so, raising concerns for those renting in the private sector.

Questions continue to be raised over the role of flammable panelling in last week’s fire at Grenfell Tower.

Combustible cladding is suspected to have aided the rapid and “unprecedented” spread of the blaze, trapping dozens of residents inside.

Sam Webb, an architect who investigated 2009’s deadly Lakanal House fire, said similar aluminium composite material (ACM) cladding was found to be “flammable” elsewhere, being linked to fires in Australia, Russia and the United Arab Emirates.

Experts also warned that a gap between the cladding and original building beneath could cause a “chimney effect” that creates a rapid airflow and draws flames upwards.

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