Grenfell Tower: Fire door manufacturers told to address failings after several products fail safety tests
'I want to see a clear plan of action to rectify existing problems and ensure such failures are not repeated in the future,' says communities secretary James Brokenshire
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Fire door manufacturers have been ordered to agree a plan of action after products from five different brands failed safety tests.
An investigation of fire doors was launched after a glazed, composite fire door from Grenfell Tower manufactured by Manse Masterdor failed a 30-minute fire resistance test after about 15 minutes.
Problems were subsequently found with doors made by its successor company Masterdor Ltd and now three other firms' products have failed safety tests.
Communities Secretary James Brokenshire said: "While the department's investigations are ongoing, I now have enough evidence to suggest that there is a broader issue across the fire door market. That is why I am calling on suppliers to meet this week and provide reassurance that they are gripping this issue properly.
"I want to see a clear plan of action to rectify existing problems and ensure such failures are not repeated in the future.
"Whilst our expert panel assures me the risk remains low I want to assure the public that the Government is doing everything it can to ensure construction products are of the highest safety standards and accurately tested and marketed."
The products which have failed Government tests were glazed and unglazed doors supplied by Manse Masterdor and Masterdor Ltd, and glazed composite doors supplied by Specialist Building Products Ltd, trading as Permadoor, Solar Windows Ltd, and Birtley Group Ltd, trading as Bowater by Birtley.
Each of the manufacturers co-operated fully with the Government's investigations.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government began investigating the fire door industry after the Grenfell tragedy.
The ministry is writing to all building control bodies highlighting the need to check that existing building regulations guidance on new fire door installations is followed.
Major fire door suppliers have been told to meet this week and agree a clear plan of action to tackle the failings identified, with weekly reports on progress.
Experts said the risk to public safety is low as, even when not meeting full resistance standards, fire doors still provide some protection from the spread of a blaze and form part of building-wide protection systems.
Press Association
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments