Thousands of fire doors identical to those blamed for helping spread the blaze at Grenfell Tower are still being used in public housing across the UK.
Freedom of Information requests sent to 123 local authorities have found that at least 25,000 doors installed in social housing are among the five types that failed testing carried out following the 2017 tragedy in west London.
A public inquiry into the disaster stated that poorly performing Manse Mastador products contributed to the disaster that killed 72 people. Responses from local councils reveal that the vast majority of the failed doors still in use match those used at Grenfell.
The data reveals a portrait of confusion and chaos at a local level, with councils claiming they have yet to act because of a lack of alternatives – and uncertainty over how to tackle the problem.
Some councils, including Islington, Barking and Dagenham and Manchester councils say they are waiting for explicit government guidance on the issue.
Kensington and Chelsea Council, the borough that includes Grenfell, is among the authorities still using Manse Mastador doors. The local MP, Emma Dent Coad, warned that another disaster is “in the post” and that “warm words won’t save lives”.
Communities Secretary James Brokenshire said his department took “swift and decisive action to investigate the fire doors industry”, and is working with local authorities to “make sure products being used meet the appropriate standard”.
