Green Building Forum - Horizontal Grenfell? Fri, 01 May 2026 23:08:48 +0100 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/ Lussumo Vanilla 1.0.3 Horizontal Grenfell? https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18099&Focus=305485#Comment_305485 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18099&Focus=305485#Comment_305485 Wed, 06 Mar 2024 08:32:36 +0000 fostertom https://www.theguardian.com/society/2024/mar/05/fears-of-new-uk-cladding-crisis-after-blaze-destroys-timber-frame-homes]]> Horizontal Grenfell? https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18099&Focus=305486#Comment_305486 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18099&Focus=305486#Comment_305486 Wed, 06 Mar 2024 09:22:10 +0000 revor Horizontal Grenfell? https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18099&Focus=305487#Comment_305487 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18099&Focus=305487#Comment_305487 Wed, 06 Mar 2024 09:30:29 +0000 fostertom Horizontal Grenfell? https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18099&Focus=305488#Comment_305488 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18099&Focus=305488#Comment_305488 Wed, 06 Mar 2024 09:32:08 +0000 Artiglio The logical extension of such attitiudes is that insurers jump onnthe bandwagon and millions of private dwellings across the country become unisurable in the absence of electrical and gas checks, risk assessments etc etc etc, to avoid the minimal risk of injury to visitors to our homes. There’s a risk of making areas of Building Regulations retrospective , which with inevitable mission creep going forward is something that needs avoiding.]]> Horizontal Grenfell? https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18099&Focus=305489#Comment_305489 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18099&Focus=305489#Comment_305489 Wed, 06 Mar 2024 10:01:29 +0000 WillInAberdeen

Think we should be focussing on banning mains gas distribution, chip pans, and PV panels (!) , before we get down the list to lower risk items such as cladding on low-rise buildings.]]> Horizontal Grenfell? https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18099&Focus=305490#Comment_305490 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18099&Focus=305490#Comment_305490 Wed, 06 Mar 2024 10:59:13 +0000 Peter_in_Hungary Posted By: fostertomOr render direct on the insulation board - no cavity
+1 for that.

No cavity = no chimney effect !

Posted By: WillInAberdeenThink we should be focussing on banning mains gas distribution,

That should help net zero]]> Horizontal Grenfell? https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18099&Focus=305491#Comment_305491 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18099&Focus=305491#Comment_305491 Wed, 06 Mar 2024 11:59:40 +0000 djh
So maybe the houses didn't meet building regs? So the owners (council?) were responsible. And whoever employed the building inspectors ought to be liable, but isn't AIUI.]]> Horizontal Grenfell? https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18099&Focus=305503#Comment_305503 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18099&Focus=305503#Comment_305503 Fri, 08 Mar 2024 10:17:14 +0000 Doubting_Thomas
Posted By: djhA quick search says cladding within 1 m of a boundary needs to be Class B


It's within 1m from the 'Relevant Boundary', which can be a notional line down the middle of a road, railway, canal or river, in the absence of (or even despite) a fence or hedge.

The whole reason for it (AIUI) is to prevent the spread of fire to other buildings. So you might have a garden wall within 1m, but the relevant boundary is the distance to the next nearest building.

If you have a private dwelling more than 1m from the relevant boundary and below 11m in height, I think there are 'currently 'no provisions' for the fire performance on the outside of the wall.

Worth noting that the rules are different for other types of residential building such as care homes, sheltered housing etc. and that there is nuance around unprotected areas (e.g. windows) and cladding over 1mm thickness.]]> Horizontal Grenfell? https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18099&Focus=305505#Comment_305505 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18099&Focus=305505#Comment_305505 Fri, 08 Mar 2024 11:57:53 +0000 djh Posted By: Doubting_ThomasIt's within 1m from the 'Relevant Boundary', which can be a notional line down the middle of a road, railway, canal or river, in the absence of (or even despite) a fence or hedge.Well in my case it's the plot boundary, which is the edge of a field, and in theory somebody could build a building up to the edge of the field. In any event the rules are so complicated that it's simpler to just comply and make the surface flame retardant.

And in the case we were discussing the houses are teraced, so it's the actual boudary of the house that is relevant.]]> Horizontal Grenfell? https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18099&Focus=305508#Comment_305508 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18099&Focus=305508#Comment_305508 Fri, 08 Mar 2024 13:26:40 +0000 Doubting_Thomas Posted By: djhIn any event the rules are so complicated that it's simpler to just comply and make the surface flame retardant.

Agreed, I was just pointing out that you don't always *have* to make the cladding flame retardant under the regs. It isn't always as simple as

Posted By: djhso timber needs to be painted with a flame retardant


though I agree that some Class B timber might have slowed the spread in the case FosterTom linked to!]]>