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There are a few questions concering the claim that the cladding didn't get involved in the NPW fire. Please see my Linkedin for more details but here are some observations.
The flat above the fire was probably doomed due to the narrow spandrel panels (between blue arrows)
1/4?
The flat above the fire was probably doomed due to the narrow spandrel panels (between blue arrows)
1/4?
.. but the yellow circled area appears to be a column of burning ACM that has spread the fire to the balconies above. The BBC has better video of this before the FRS arrive.
Luckily, these panels are narrow, with a relatively low fuel content (no combustible insulation).
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Luckily, these panels are narrow, with a relatively low fuel content (no combustible insulation).
2/4
Less certain, but it seems from the images that the decking provides some resistance to the vertical spread shown in the green area. Once involved though burning decking clearly releases a lot of heat to complicate firefighting.
This decking doesn't promote 'rapid' spread.
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This decking doesn't promote 'rapid' spread.
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What saves this bank of flats, and probably lives, are the breaks highlighted in red at every floor level.
Without these discontinuities, by the time the FRS had arrived the fire could have reached the top of the building, having ignited each balcony in the process.
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Without these discontinuities, by the time the FRS had arrived the fire could have reached the top of the building, having ignited each balcony in the process.
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I make these points because I know ministers will be told that the FRS contained the fire satisfactorily and it's evidence that an ACM fire where there's a waking watch poses little risk to life.
But most buildings don't have these features, so that would be a big misjudgement.
But most buildings don't have these features, so that would be a big misjudgement.
