London fire probe focuses on cladding

With 17 confirmed dead but dozens of people still missing, fire chiefs say no more survivors are expected to be found in London’s 120-apartment Grenfell Tower


00:54 local time: Fire believed to have started on fourth floor

Fire spreads to 24th floor within 15 minutes

Main entrance


Cladding: Added to tower block in 2016 – could be to blame for rapid spread of fire

Design specifications suggest renovation work used “ventilated cavity” cladding


Outer wall

Cladding

Celotex FR5000 insulation 150mm thick

Ventilated cavity – 50mm void to vent moisture could act as chimney to spread fire

Cladding
Twin aluminium sheets, 3mm thick, with polyethylene core


Sources: Press Association, Construction Enquirer, Architects Journal 

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