The Grenfell Inquiry has exposed crucial failings across multiple parties involved in the supply chain.
- Arconic concealed risks associated with its cladding panels, while Celotex and Kingspan misrepresented their products.
- The Building Safety Act 2022 is pivotal in holding these parties accountable, offering new rights and extended limitation periods for claims.
- Only a fraction of remediation work on high-rise buildings has been completed, highlighting ongoing safety oversight issues.
- The criminal investigation continues, with numerous individuals and companies being examined for potential charges.
The Grenfell Inquiry has revealed significant lapses in the conduct of companies involved in the refurbishment of Grenfell Tower. Arconic was found to have concealed the risks posed by its Reynobond 55 PE cladding panels. Similarly, Celotex and Kingspan have been criticised for misrepresenting the safety attributes of their insulation products, contributing to the disaster’s scale.
The Building Safety Act 2022 aims to rectify these systemic issues by providing leaseholders with the ability to make claims for rectification costs and misrepresentation under certain sections of the Act. This legislation extends the time limits for pursuing such claims, which is expected to lead to increased legal action to ensure recovery and accountability in the construction supply chain.
Despite these legislative advancements, the inquiry’s findings highlight the slow pace of remedial actions, with approximately 30% of high-rise buildings addressed so far. This reflects not only a backlog in safety compliance but also a lack of qualified professionals to assess and implement necessary changes per the latest safety standards.
Moreover, the inquiry calls for a fundamental shift in how building safety responsibilities are understood and managed. The report points out the complex web of contractual relationships and the need for a new ‘Golden Thread’ of information to ensure safety standards are maintained throughout a building’s lifecycle.
The ongoing criminal investigation underscores the gravity of the inquiry’s findings, with 58 individuals and 19 companies under scrutiny for various potential offences, including corporate manslaughter and fraud. The outcomes of these investigations may take over a year to materialise, as detailed reports are still being examined by law enforcement and the Crown Prosecution Service.
The Grenfell Inquiry marks a critical juncture in enforcing stringent building safety standards and ensuring accountability.
