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Grenfell Tower campaigners had warned about safety

Local campaigners have warned for four years about the potential for a catastrophic fire at tragedy-struck Grenfell Tower.

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The Grenfell Action Group claimed in January 2013 that emergency access to the 24-storey west London building was not being maintained.

The next month, it published what it said was an extract from the most recent fire risk assessment of Grenfell Tower, conducted in November 2012.


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This alleged extract said no test certificates had been seen to confirm the service and maintenance regime for infrastructure such as fire alarm systems and hose reels.

It added that some fire extinguishers appeared to be out of test date. “Some located in the roof level areas had ‘condemned’ written on them in large black writing with a last test date of 2009 or 2010. This seems to indicate that monthly occupier inspections are not being carried out.”

Later in 2013 the action group highlighted a series of power surges in the tower, claiming electrical appliances were “catching fire”.

In November 2016 the group said: “We have blogged many times on the subject of fire safety at Grenfell Tower.”

Exactly three months ago, on 14 March 2017, the action group posted a picture of a notice that appeared to be a fire action policy for Grenfell Tower residents. The notice said: “There is a ‘stay put’ policy for residents unless the fire is in or affecting your flat’.” The group had previously warned of insufficient fire advice for residents.

A number of people died in a blaze that ripped through Grenfell Tower this morning. More than 200 firefighters were sent to the scene. It is not known what caused the fire.

It has also emerged that the Kensington and Chelsea Tenant Management Organisation was served with two enforcement notices by the London Fire Brigade over the past 18 months.

 

 

“We have blogged many times on the subject of fire safety at Grenfell Tower,” Grenfell Action Group, November 2016

 

One came in late 2015 and related to a fire at Adair Tower, and the other was early last year in response to a subsequent audit of sister block Hazlewood Tower.

Minutes of a KCTMO board meeting from July 2016 said: “The key matters raised in the enforcement notices relate to the installation of self-closing devices on all flat entrance doors and the requirement to review the protection to each communal staircase and ventilation to the lift lobbies to ensure that both staircases are not affected by smoke and are available for use by residents and attending fire crews.

“KCTMO and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea agreed to ensure that all flat entrance doors in both blocks are sufficiently fire-rated and fitted with self-closing devices.”

The board minutes added in a general section about health and safety: “The programme of fire risk assessments within communal areas required by fire safety legislation is ongoing and continues to adhere to best practice guidelines and comply with London Fire Brigade requirements.”

Kensington and Chelsea Tenant Management Organisation, which runs the homes, has been contacted for comment.

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