Will post links and brief descriptions of useful background here.
Report: Grenfell Tower insurance bill could be Europe’s biggest ever [Article]
The Council changed their Insurance provider 3 months before the fire to one that specialises in Casualty Insurance. Set to gain the biggest payout of £1 Billion. Video Uploader's comment: Although the council are claiming that they changed policy to the new company because it was cheaper, the policy with Protector was for £2.2m to be paid at £434.857 annually and the policy with Zurich was for £680,000 for a year. So that means that they paid less for their policy but even if they have to pay out the extra to make it up to the 2.2 million, they still stand to gain with a casualty Insurance which totals £1 Billion instead of £25 million. Thats a huge profit margin for a deliberate fire.Thats why the firemen were acting odd and not even firing directly at the flames, its an insurance job and a ritual sacrifice!
Inquiry: The Great British Housing Disaster [YouTube Link]
49 minute 1984 Adam Curtis documentary on tower block construction problems.
Staying Put: An Anti-Gentrification Handbook for Council Estates in London [Link to hi and low res pdfs]
A scholar -activist handbook explains why the regeneration of council estates often results in established communities being broken up and moved away, and housing becoming more expensive. It is designed to help local communities learn about gentrification and the alternatives they can fight for. Through the experiences of council tenants, leaseholders and the wider community in London, it contains ideas, stories, tools and resources.
Lanakal House Coroner Inquest [Link to microsite]
On 3rd July 2009 a fire killed 6 people in Southwark. Recommendations from the three month inquest were not heeded. Microsite hosts the verdicts, institutional responses and 50 days of transcripts.
House of Cards sketch from 1993: To Play the King [ Link to Vimeo ]
An eerily premonitory 6 minute sketch about a gas explosion in a block of flats in Newham, a publicity tussle between the monarch and PM and victim blaming.
RBKC Planning decision on Grenfell Tower Refurbishment [ Link to further resources on Planning Portal ]
In October 2012 IBI Taylor Young submitted a planning application to RBKC, public consultation ended in August 2013 and permission granted in January 2014 subject to conditions. That the conditions dwelt so heavily on aesthetic impacts to the neighbourhood had been the source of much outcry. The Engagement Statement contains all major project stakeholders at the time .
RBKC Planning Building Control Ref. No: FP/14/03563 [ Link to further resources on Planning Portal ] New floor areas, new overcladding & windows, new heating system, reconfigured podium and entrance. Agent Name: Studio E Ltd. Application Received on Tue 05/08/14. Application Commencement Date: Thu 27/11/14. Application Completion Date: Thu 07/07/16. "The status ‘Completed Not approved’ does not mean that the work was not approved under the Building Regulations. The formal signing off of the work was provided by a completion certificate and not by a full plans decision notice, which was not required in this case. The system status “Not approved” appears because a decision notice was not issued. However, a completion certificate was issued signing off the works under the Building Regulations."
RBKC Planning Building Control Ref. No: DEM/14/02401 [ Link to further resources on Planning Portal ]
DEMOLITION. Agent Name: Rydon Maintenance Ltd Application Received: Wed 21/05/14
RBKC Temporary accommodation procurement strategy 2017-19 [ Link to pdf ]
A recent document that gives an idea of the Temporary Housing issues as seen by the borough council.
Missing fire breaks [ Link to jpg]
634 missing horizontal and vertical fire breaks which should have been installed by 2016.
Press Release (13/05/2016): North Kensington Tower Block transformed by £10m refurbishment [ Link to RBKC website ] “It is remarkable to see first-hand how the cladding has lifted the external appearance of the tower and how the improvements inside people’s homes will make a big difference to their day-to-day lives”, said Cllr Paget-Brown.
From Studio E - outer insulation photo1 [Link to jpg image ]
The outer insulation was 150mm, comprised of two 75mm sheets. This shows foam core insulation which isn't very fire retardant. At least mineral based insulation would have been ideal. This image has now been removed from the Studio E website but someone saved it. Bless you.
From Studio E - outer insulation photo 2 [Link to jpg image ]
This image has now been removed from the Studio E website.
From Studio E - outer insulation photo 3 [Link to jpg image ]
This image has now been removed from the Studio E website.
From Studio E - The Grenfell Tower photo [Link to jpg image ]
This image has now been removed from the Studio E website.
Foam core insulation specification (uncertain if Celotex FR5000 was used, need to find out) [Link to jpg image ]
Please note the row that says "Reaction to Fire: No Performance Determined".
Risk Consulting Magazine 1/2014 [ Link to PDF ]
Potential risks with PIR panels. A new If study. (page 8).
Safe-R: Thermal insulation board used at Kensington Row [ Link to xtratherm.com ]
Suitable for use in buildings over 18m. BR135 compliant when tested to BS8414:2002.
Recent concern about conflict of interests and Cabinet Member for Housing's business dealings [ Link to blog post ]
Scrutiny of Deputy Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Housing Rock Feiling-Mellon has been batted away before.
16 council inspections failed to stop use of flammable cladding [ Link to The Guardian.com ]
Grenfell Tower renovation works were inspected 16 times by Kensington and Chelsea council, but these checks failed to prevent the use of the flammable cladding being blamed for spreading the fire that killed at least 79 people.
Tri-Borough Total Facilities Management Award [ Link to pdf of Executive Decision Report ]
Outsourcing agreement between thee Local authorities ( RBKC, HF and Westminster) with Amey to provide Total Facilities Management between 2013-2023. Services outsourced include Health and Safety Management and Compliance.
Contingency Management Plan [ Link to pdf of Part One ( Draft 2015) ]
Joint document between BRKC and HF, mentions major fire and rehousing. References David Kerry as Contingencies Planning Manager
The Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007 [Link to Fire Safety Briefing pdf]
4. When might corporate manslaughter apply to a landlord in the event of a fatal fire?
Fire and Rescue Service Representative Response: The Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007 states that an organisation is guilty of an offence if the way in which its activities are managed or organised causes the death of a person, and amounts to a gross breach of a relevant duty of care owed by the organisation. It only applies if the way in which the organisation’s activities were managed or organised by its senior management contributed a substantial element in the breach of that duty. Where the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 applies, there will be clear duties with which the responsible person must ensure compliance. If they were grossly negligent in failing to comply with these duties, then a case of corporate manslaughter could be bought, if the failure to comply with those duties resulted in a fatality. The key phrase is ‘grossly negligent’ and it would need to be proven that the breach of that duty fell below what could reasonably be expected of the organisation in the circumstances.
Report: Grenfell Tower insurance bill could be Europe’s biggest ever [Article]
The Council changed their Insurance provider 3 months before the fire to one that specialises in Casualty Insurance. Set to gain the biggest payout of £1 Billion. Video Uploader's comment: Although the council are claiming that they changed policy to the new company because it was cheaper, the policy with Protector was for £2.2m to be paid at £434.857 annually and the policy with Zurich was for £680,000 for a year. So that means that they paid less for their policy but even if they have to pay out the extra to make it up to the 2.2 million, they still stand to gain with a casualty Insurance which totals £1 Billion instead of £25 million. Thats a huge profit margin for a deliberate fire.Thats why the firemen were acting odd and not even firing directly at the flames, its an insurance job and a ritual sacrifice!
Inquiry: The Great British Housing Disaster [YouTube Link]
49 minute 1984 Adam Curtis documentary on tower block construction problems.
Staying Put: An Anti-Gentrification Handbook for Council Estates in London [Link to hi and low res pdfs]
A scholar -activist handbook explains why the regeneration of council estates often results in established communities being broken up and moved away, and housing becoming more expensive. It is designed to help local communities learn about gentrification and the alternatives they can fight for. Through the experiences of council tenants, leaseholders and the wider community in London, it contains ideas, stories, tools and resources.
TMO Staying Put fire emergency sign [Link to jpg image]
Lanakal House Coroner Inquest [Link to microsite]
On 3rd July 2009 a fire killed 6 people in Southwark. Recommendations from the three month inquest were not heeded. Microsite hosts the verdicts, institutional responses and 50 days of transcripts.
House of Cards sketch from 1993: To Play the King [ Link to Vimeo ]
An eerily premonitory 6 minute sketch about a gas explosion in a block of flats in Newham, a publicity tussle between the monarch and PM and victim blaming.
RBKC Planning decision on Grenfell Tower Refurbishment [ Link to further resources on Planning Portal ]
In October 2012 IBI Taylor Young submitted a planning application to RBKC, public consultation ended in August 2013 and permission granted in January 2014 subject to conditions. That the conditions dwelt so heavily on aesthetic impacts to the neighbourhood had been the source of much outcry. The Engagement Statement contains all major project stakeholders at the time .
RBKC Planning Building Control Ref. No: FP/14/03563 [ Link to further resources on Planning Portal ]
New floor areas, new overcladding & windows, new heating system, reconfigured podium and entrance. Agent Name: Studio E Ltd. Application Received on Tue 05/08/14. Application Commencement Date: Thu 27/11/14. Application Completion Date: Thu 07/07/16. "The status ‘Completed Not approved’ does not mean that the work was not approved under the Building Regulations. The formal signing off of the work was provided by a completion certificate and not by a full plans decision notice, which was not required in this case. The system status “Not approved” appears because a decision notice was not issued. However, a completion certificate was issued signing off the works under the Building Regulations."
RBKC Planning Building Control Ref. No: DEM/14/02401 [ Link to further resources on Planning Portal ]
DEMOLITION. Agent Name: Rydon Maintenance Ltd Application Received: Wed 21/05/14
RBKC Temporary accommodation procurement strategy 2017-19 [ Link to pdf ]
A recent document that gives an idea of the Temporary Housing issues as seen by the borough council.
Missing fire breaks [ Link to jpg]
634 missing horizontal and vertical fire breaks which should have been installed by 2016.
RBKC Local Plan Partial Review [ Link to microsite with further resources ]
Modifications of the Borough's key planning document, The Consolidated Local Plan 2015, are under reviewed, there will be public examination hearings in September.
Press Release (13/05/2016): North Kensington Tower Block transformed by £10m refurbishment [ Link to RBKC website ]
“It is remarkable to see first-hand how the cladding has lifted the external appearance of the tower and how the improvements inside people’s homes will make a big difference to their day-to-day lives”, said Cllr Paget-Brown.
From Studio E - outer insulation photo1 [Link to jpg image ]
The outer insulation was 150mm, comprised of two 75mm sheets. This shows foam core insulation which isn't very fire retardant. At least mineral based insulation would have been ideal. This image has now been removed from the Studio E website but someone saved it. Bless you.
From Studio E - outer insulation photo 2 [Link to jpg image ]
This image has now been removed from the Studio E website.
From Studio E - outer insulation photo 3 [Link to jpg image ]
This image has now been removed from the Studio E website.
From Studio E - The Grenfell Tower photo [Link to jpg image ]
This image has now been removed from the Studio E website.
From Studio E - external finishing schedule [Link to jpg image ]
Original file on RBKC Planning website [ Link to RBKC Planning website ]
Foam core insulation specification (uncertain if Celotex FR5000 was used, need to find out) [Link to jpg image ]
Please note the row that says "Reaction to Fire: No Performance Determined".
Risk Consulting Magazine 1/2014 [ Link to PDF ]
Potential risks with PIR panels. A new If study. (page 8).
Safe-R: Thermal insulation board used at Kensington Row [ Link to xtratherm.com ]
Suitable for use in buildings over 18m. BR135 compliant when tested to BS8414:2002.
Recent concern about conflict of interests and Cabinet Member for Housing's business dealings [ Link to blog post ]
Scrutiny of Deputy Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Housing Rock Feiling-Mellon has been batted away before.
16 council inspections failed to stop use of flammable cladding [ Link to The Guardian.com ]
Grenfell Tower renovation works were inspected 16 times by Kensington and Chelsea council, but these checks failed to prevent the use of the flammable cladding being blamed for spreading the fire that killed at least 79 people.
Tri-Borough Total Facilities Management Award [ Link to pdf of Executive Decision Report ]
Outsourcing agreement between thee Local authorities ( RBKC, HF and Westminster) with Amey to provide Total Facilities Management between 2013-2023. Services outsourced include Health and Safety Management and Compliance.
Contingency Management Plan [ Link to pdf of Part One ( Draft 2015) ]
Joint document between BRKC and HF, mentions major fire and rehousing. References David Kerry as Contingencies Planning Manager
The Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007 [ Link to Fire Safety Briefing pdf ]
4. When might corporate manslaughter apply to a landlord in the event of a fatal fire?
Fire and Rescue Service Representative Response: The Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007 states that an organisation is guilty of an offence if the way in which its activities are managed or organised causes the death of a person, and amounts to a gross breach of a relevant duty of care owed by the organisation. It only applies if the way in which the organisation’s activities were managed or organised by its senior management contributed a substantial element in the breach of that duty. Where the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 applies, there will be clear duties with which the responsible person must ensure compliance. If they were grossly negligent in failing to comply with these duties, then a case of corporate manslaughter could be bought, if the failure to comply with those duties resulted in a fatality. The key phrase is ‘grossly negligent’ and it would need to be proven that the breach of that duty fell below what could reasonably be expected of the organisation in the circumstances.