Grenfell Tower fire doors could only hold back flames for 15 minutes, investigators find
The Metropolitan police investigations revealed the devastating truth that the 30 minute fire resistant doors only provided 15 minutes protection
FIRE doors in the Grenfell Tower were only capable of holding flames back for HALF the time they were meant to, investigators confirmed yesterday.
The shocking revelations revealed the glazed fire doors could only withstand a blaze for 15 minutes - not the 30 minutes advertised - in another damning blow to residents.
The Met Police announced the developments as it continues a “comprehensive” investigation into the tragedy which left 71 dead last June.
Three fire doors provided by the same company - believed to be Manse Masterdor - were found to offer less protection than recommended guidelines.
It is understood they were installed in the west London block between 2011 and 2012.
Kensington and Chelsea Council and hundreds of others are now urgently trying to get a decision on the safety of fire doors installed in their buildings.
Housing Secretary Sajid Javid confirmed the Government would carry out further tests, but insisted there was “no evidence” it was a “systemic issue”, and the risk to public safety was low.
Survivor Natasha Elcock, who represents the bereaved and survivors’ group Grenfell United, said: “It’s shocking - first the cladding and insulation then the doors. Who knows what else is putting people’s lives at risk?
“It’s time people’s lives are taken more seriously, and that includes everyone from every walk of life.
“People’s homes must be made absolutely safe for them and their children.
The Government should have improved regulations after previous fires. We can’t listen to any more excuses.”
Mr Javid said his department had sought advice from its independent panel of experts on building safety and would provide further updates by the end of April.
He told the Commons: “Conclusions should not be drawn about the nature of the cause of the Grenfell tragedy - that is a matter for a separate police investigation and it must be allowed to run its course.”
The statement was met with incredulity from the opposite bench, with shadow housing minister Tony Lloyd telling MPs he was “astounded” by the statement.
He said: “If this isn’t systemic, what assessment has been made of how many buildings are potentially affected by this, how many individual flats, how many people who have fire doors that simply don’t do the job?”
Scotland Yard said in a statement: “We have previously described that our forensic examination at the scene would be followed by a phase of offsite testing to be conducted by experts on our behalf.
“As part of this investigation, experts tested a flat front door taken from Grenfell Tower.
"The door tested was designed to resist fire for 30 minutes but during the test it was only found to resist the fire for approximately 15 minutes, a much shorter period than expected.
“The forensic examination and testing phase is ongoing and we are not able to comment on the potential impact or otherwise that any test result may have on the overall criminal investigation.”
A public inquiry into the fire is running alongside the police investigation, as well as a review into current building regulations by Dame Judith Hackitt, who has been made aware of the police findings.
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It is feared that cladding installed on the tower could have also accelerated the spread of the blaze.
A spokesman for Kensington and Chelsea Council added: “We understand that tests organised by the Government have found that three fire doors from the same company provided less protection than guidelines recommend, but test results are as yet inconclusive.
“Alongside hundreds of councils and landlords across the country, we are seeking further information from the Government on what this means for our residents.”
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