Photo Gallery - Reports

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Size: 173 pages  Date: October 2019

This is a technical research report on groundbreaking research into the influence of building geometry upon the spread and behaviour of fire on a high-rise building with combustible materials on the facade.  The study began after Grenfell, with the aim of explaining why the fire spread in the way it did, but it also looks at other fires too, both in the UK and abroad.  A set of principles from which it is now possible to predict for the first time what a fire is likely to do, has been developed.  The work has contributed to the understanding of facade fires.  Available by request, although the work is currently undergoing revision as part of a second phase of research and a technical/scientific paper will become available in the future

Size: 50 pages  Date: September 2020

Apart from the combustible cladding, there were also several serious structural defects associated with the refurbishment of Grenfell Tower.  Based on the Author's own examination and analysis of the cladding system and new window installation, this report identifies the errors which were made, the poor workmanship and the bad design.  It also includes several issues which have not been fully realised by others who examined the building.  Available on request

Size: 83 pages (full version), 21 pages (short version), Date: April 2021

 This report considers the innovative fire detection and fire alarm system known as Intelliclad, which is a unique because smoke sensors are placed directly into the cladding or other combustible materials on the external walls of the building.  This allows a fire to be detected at an early stage, before it is even visible from the outside.  Both the long and short versions of the report are available as a download from the Intelliclad website www.intelliclad.co.uk or on request

Size: 28 pages  Date: September 2021

This serious fire resulted in "most of the building being engulfed in flames."  It had similarities to Grenfell because the fire rapidly consumed the facade then broke into the flats through failed windows, thus breaching the compartmentation from the outside.  Fortunately, all residents escaped and no lives were lost, but their homes were destroyed.  Available on request

Size: 36 pages  Date: November 2021

There are believed to be as many as 1000 buildings in the UAE city of Dubai which have Aluminium Composite Material (ACM) on the facade.  This is the same type of cladding that was used at Grenfell Tower and it has been involved in several fires in the UAE in recent years.  Available on request

Size: 24 pages  Date: April 2022

"The fire sent parts of the facade crashing down into the street below, presenting a hazard to passers-by, evacuating residents and the emergency services, including firefighters."  This 22-storey building above Aldgate Tube Station, has a glazed facade which failed when a fire broke out on the 17th floor.  Aldgate Tube Station was filled with smoke.  Available on request

Size: 152 pages  Date: April 2022

With thousands of residents affected by combustible materials on the external walls of the buildings in which they live, work to improve fire safety is required.  However, this work is costly and residents have been faced with bills totalling thousands of pounds in order to fund the remediation.  This report considers other solutions which could instead mitigate the risk and bring it down to a tolerable level, without resorting to the high costs of full remediation.  Available on request

Size: 25 pages  Date: June 2022

This fire occurred at a medium rise block of flats, caused by hot work being carried out by contractors.  "Although the fire did not involve cladding, a substantial amount of other combustible materials were present and the overall construction of the building appears to have lacked the ability to resist fire."  Available on request

Size: 18 pages  Date: September 2022

"Those who were working inside the building fled for their lives, some still clutching their laptop computers.  One of these workers, upon turning round to look at the building he had just left, described it as being "completely red".  Little is known about most facade fires which occur in China, and this and other reports about fires which have occurred in the country, aim to look at the causes and safety issues associated with these incidents.  Available on request

Size: 29 pages  Date: December 2022

"The fire spread rapidly up the facade of the building, the flames extending the entire height, from the podium to the roof". This fire in a 36-storey building in Dubai, involved Aluminium Composite Material (ACM) which is the same type which was used at Grenfell Tower.  Available on request

Size: 335 pages  Date: May 2023

The underlying issues and failings which led to these tragedies are remarkably similar; cost cutting, poor management, and bad working practices.  This report compares the two disasters and the public inquiries which were set up to investigate them.  It also contains a detailed account of the fatal fire at Lakanal House, London, which occurred on 3 July 2009.  Available on request 

Size: 31 pages  Date: July 2023

This fire had several issues in common with Grenfell, including a breach of compartmentation from the outside, and smoke logging of escape routes.  "The fire started underneath the building and then spread rapidly up the front elevation as it developed and gained intensity.  Witnesses described it as" rolling across the face of the building," causing windows to fail and allowing flames and smoke into the flats."  One person died and others sustained serious injuries.  In this case, combustible materials were in the process of being installed on the building rather than removed.  Available on request