THE SAFETY OF BUILDINGS IN BRITAIN TODAY

 
THE SAFETY OF DWELLINGS IN BRITAIN TODAY

What a shock we have all had in June 2017 with the devastating fire with  major loss of life at the Grenfell Tower block in the Borough of Kensington, London.
The Government has launched an immediate Public Inquiry.
As a precaution, thousands are being warned that their Tower Block homes are unsafe and that they must leave their homes and in many cases, sleep on an or bed on the floor in a Leisure Centre surrounded by other residents. What about privacy ? What about the ill, Disabled, children and yes, Pets ?
It truly is a nightmare for everyone, young and old.

I hope that this latest Public Inquiry does not last months or even years before their conclusions or may I say confusions are released to the General Public !

I am only an ordinary citizen but I can list my questions for the Public Inquiry which need answers which should be easily attainable and  available without too much time and effort.

Let me start with the Planning Departments of local authorities.
Surely, they specified NON inflammable materials in the specifications used in buildings of all kinds ? For example,
High rise apartments, Hospitals, Schools, Hotels, Commercial buildings, Theatres and so on
Did they?

Did they check samples of the materials to be used for fire resistant specifications ?
Did they ?

When the materials were delivered for the onsite usage, did they check that the materials matched the specifications ?
Did they ?

Who signed the Purchase Order for the materials ?
Who And in what capacity ?

Building Regulations ?
Were these correct ? Did they ban flammable materials for use on Buildings ?
If Yes, who ignored them ?
If the Building Regulations were a fudge, who in the Council challenged these poor Regulations and refused to allow flammable materials to be used ? The Council had a Duty of Care.

Why wasn't the Buildings such as Grenfell not routinely checked for fire hazards ?
Or did they and their advice ignored?

Who in the chain of events is responsible ?
It must be the people who placed the Order in the first place if they did not specify non flammable materials, in my view.
If they did specify non flamable materials, someone in the chain as well as those who placed the order in the first place must be guilty.

I am surprised that many buildings do not have fire extinguishers and sprinkler systems as well as very loud fire alarms.
I know that hotels have them. What about all the other kinds of buildings ?

The Tragic Grenfell fire could be only the beginning of the risks in Buildings. Safeguards must be improved but they should not takes
 Months or Years in Debates, Confusion and Delay.

The people who have already suffered  Must be  compensated -by Class Action legal cases if necessary.
We must not forget safety in the home as well.
There must be a swift and immediate review of all legislation relations to the safety of Buildings of ALL TYPES.

The present problems might only be the tip of a very expensive iceberg!