Europe

UK Government Could Ban Combustible Cladding On High-Rise Buildings

Almost a year after the Grenfell Tower fire, the U.K. government will look into banning a highly flammable cladding on high-rise buildings.

UK Government Could Ban Combustible Cladding On High-Rise Buildings
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The U.K. government will look into banning a highly flammable cladding on high-rise buildings after the Grenfell Tower fire last year killed 71 people in London. 

A report on building regulations was released Thursday and said there were "deep flaws" in the rules. But, the report didn't call for a ban on the cladding.

Critics were not happy, so the government said it would talk about it. 

Engineer Judith Hackitt, who led the building regulation review, told BBC Radio 4 on Thursday that banning all flammable materials in the cladding wouldn't solve the problem. That's because, she says, people were using the material despite current guidance. 

Cladding Used In Grenfell Tower Will No Longer Be Sold For High-Rises
Cladding Used In Grenfell Tower Will No Longer Be Sold For High-Rises

Cladding Used In Grenfell Tower Will No Longer Be Sold For High-Rises

Arconic says it'll stop selling Reynobond PE panels for use in high-rise buildings.

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In June, a massive fire engulfed Grenfell Tower. It spread quickly because of the combustible cladding that covered the 24-story apartment building. Cladding on hundreds of other buildings in England failed safety tests done after the fire.

On Wednesday, the U.K. government announced it would spend about $540 million to remove dangerous cladding from tower blocks owned by councils and housing associations. 

Additional reporting from Newsy affiliate CNN.