At a time of tragedy, negligence ,confusion and social media ephemera it is crucial for us to hold public authorities to account and keep track of what they are saying in a more structured way.
Name & URL
Role
Relevance
Date
Time
Platform
Context
Content
Rydon Group
Worked on Grenfell refurb
Construction and Maintenance company involved with installing the cladding.
15/06
Corporate website
Public Inquiry
We welcome the announcement of the Public Inquiry into the tragic incident at Grenfell Tower. In the immediate term, we have offered our full help and support to the relevant authorities, who are investigating the causes. We would also like to praise the tireless efforts and bravery of the emergency services who continue to deal with this tragic incident. Rydon Maintenance Limited completed a partial refurbishment of the building in the summer of 2016 for KCTMO (Kensington and Chelsea Tenant Management Organisation) on behalf of the Council, which met all required building regulations - as well as fire regulation and health & safety standards - and handover took place when the completion notice was issued by Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea building control. “I am personally shocked and devastated by what has happened at Grenfell Tower and my thoughts are with the families and friends of those affected. We have been working with local authorities for nearly forty years and safety and quality are integral to everything we do at Rydon. I will do all I can to assist in this investigation in order to establish what caused this tragedy. In light of the Public Inquiry, we cannot make any further comment at this time.”Robert Bond, CEO, Rydon Group. == About Rydon==
Since 1978, Rydon has grown into a multi-faceted company, working primarily across London and the South East, employing more than 750 people.Rydon has a strong and experienced team, which has been closely involved with local authorities and registered providers for almost 40 years working to provide high-quality, affordable housing.The team specialises in working within occupied environments, including planned maintenance and energy efficiency programmes, modernising existing healthcare and education facilities and large scale estate regeneration schemes. If you have a media enquiry, please contact our PR Manager directly on 01342 827055, via mobile on 07887 746767 or email media@rydon.co.uk
Completed refurb to Grenfell Tower, including the installation of the exterior cladding.
Dodging responsibility.
14/06
20:11
Facebook
Statement
"STATEMENT FROM HARLEY FACADES LTD:GRENFELL TOWER Harley Facades Limited completed the refurbishment work to Grenfell Tower. This included the installation of exterior cladding. The Aluminium Composite Material (ACM) panels are a commonly used product in the refurbishment industry. Harley Facades Limited do not manufacture these panels. Commenting on the fire, Ray Bailey, Managing Director at Harley Facades Limited said: “This is an incredibly tragic incident. Our thoughts are with the residents and their families who have suffered such a personal loss. We will fully support and cooperate with the investigations into this fire. There will be many questions about this whole incident and so you will appreciate that it would not be appropriate for us to comment or for others to speculate on any aspect of fire or it causes in advance of these inquiries. At this time, we are not aware of any link between the fire and the exterior cladding to the tower.”"
Demanding justice for victims and no official coverup
19/06
FBU website
Framing of public inquiry
The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has called for the victims of the Grenfell Tower disaster to be central to the public inquiry announced by Theresa May last week. They must be given legal representation, paid for by the government. The FBU has also called for the inquiry to be broad enough to address the immediate causes of, and response to the disaster, as well as the wider context to these dreadful events. Matt Wrack, general secretary of the FBU, has today written to Theresa May setting out the union’s position. The letter calls for the victims’ families and survivors to be full participants in the inquiry and for other key agents, including the FBU, to be fully consulted on the terms of reference before the inquiry is finalised. Matt Wrack said: “The victims of this terrible disaster and the firefighters who fought the fire have questions that need answering. We will work closely with the families and tenants to ensure that they aren’t kept on the margins of this process. The union has to play a central role as participants in the public inquiry, with adequate funding to support that. “This inquiry needs to look not just at the immediate causes of the fire and the response to it, but also at who was responsible for the building and for any alterations made to it. But it also needs to look much wider at the regulations and the regime that now operates in building control, planning and fire safety. All of these have seen significant changes in the recent past as part of an agenda of de-regulation and cutting so-called ‘red tape’. Those who took those decisions are going to have to start facing the consequences. “The FBU regrettably has considerable experience in dealing with inquests after the deaths of firefighters and members of the public. Too many times recommendations are ignored and there is no central monitoring of progress or otherwise. That cannot be allowed to happen here”. 2 page circular on the disaster and FBU role.
Blocks are regularly inspected. The organisation that runs the council’s housing stock and the management organisation will commission regular inspections. (NB: Fire inspection was done 18 months ago. FAIL!) Lies on camera.
The insulation board was manufactured by Celotex, who say if
fitted correctly it meets regulations for use on buildings above 18m (59ft) tall.
Celotex is yet to comment on the cyanide claims.
Celotex said in a statement on its website: “As we previously stated, our records show a Celotex product (RS5000) was purchased for use in refurbishing the building. This product has a fire rating classification of Class 0, in accordance with British Standards. Celotex RS5000 is the insulation component specifically tested as part of a system to British Standard BS8414-2:2005. When the system is designed and installed in line with this, RS5000 meets the criteria set out in BRE Report BR 135 ‘Fire performance of external thermal insulation for walls of multi storey buildings.
“We will of course assist the relevant authorities fully with any enquiries they have.”
Celotex has changed its mind since 21/06/17.
"Celotex is to stop the supply of RS5000 for use in rainscreen cladding systems in buildings over 18m tall"
GavinBarwell has been accused of 'sitting on' a delayed fire safety review into building regulations that was carried out after a deadly fire at the Lakanal House tower block in south London in 2009.
The then-housing minister last year promised to publish a review of building regulations, including fire safety in tower blocks.
However, that review has as yet failed to materialise.
Barwell was walking towards Downing Street when he was accosted by journalists.
Refusing to answer questions, the former MP, who lost his seat at the General Election, said: ‘I can’t comment I’m afraid’.
About Rydon==
Since 1978, Rydon has grown into a multi-faceted company, working primarily across London and the South East, employing more than 750 people.Rydon has a strong and experienced team, which has been closely involved with local authorities and registered providers for almost 40 years working to provide high-quality, affordable housing.The team specialises in working within occupied environments, including planned maintenance and energy efficiency programmes, modernising existing healthcare and education facilities and large scale estate regeneration schemes. If you have a media enquiry, please contact our PR Manager directly on 01342 827055, via mobile on 07887 746767 or email media@rydon.co.uk
Government, COBRA Chair
with Emily Maitliss
(prerecorded?)
Dodging responsibility.
Harley Facades Limited completed the refurbishment work to Grenfell Tower. This included the installation of exterior cladding. The Aluminium Composite Material (ACM) panels are a commonly used product in the refurbishment industry. Harley Facades Limited do not manufacture these panels.
Commenting on the fire, Ray Bailey, Managing Director at Harley Facades Limited said:
“This is an incredibly tragic incident. Our thoughts are with the residents and their families who have suffered such a personal loss. We will fully support and cooperate with the investigations into this fire. There will be many questions about this whole incident and so you will appreciate that it would not be appropriate for us to comment or for others to speculate on any aspect of fire or it causes in advance of these inquiries. At this time, we are not aware of any link between the fire and the exterior cladding to the tower.”"
2 page circular on the disaster and FBU role.
fitted correctly it meets regulations for use on buildings above 18m (59ft) tall.
Celotex is yet to comment on the cyanide claims.
Celotex said in a statement on its website: “As we previously stated, our records show a Celotex product (RS5000) was purchased for use in refurbishing the building. This product has a fire rating classification of Class 0, in accordance with British Standards. Celotex RS5000 is the insulation component specifically tested as part of a system to British Standard BS8414-2:2005. When the system is designed and installed in line with this, RS5000 meets the criteria set out in BRE Report BR 135 ‘Fire performance of external thermal insulation for walls of multi storey buildings.
“We will of course assist the relevant authorities fully with any enquiries they have.”
"Celotex is to stop the supply of RS5000 for use in rainscreen cladding systems in buildings over 18m tall"
The then-housing minister last year promised to publish a review of building regulations, including fire safety in tower blocks.
However, that review has as yet failed to materialise.
Barwell was walking towards Downing Street when he was accosted by journalists.
Refusing to answer questions, the former MP, who lost his seat at the General Election, said: ‘I can’t comment I’m afraid’.