Public safety concerns have been raised once again by UK Minister, Victoria Atkins, regarding Kingspan, a construction materials company. Despite previous warnings from the government, recent tests have revealed that Kingspan’s insulation products still pose a risk to buildings and people. As a result, the company’s products remain banned in the UK. This article explores the ongoing safety concerns surrounding Kingspan and the actions being taken to protect the public.
Irish insulation company Kingspan’s products are still posing a danger to the public, warned UK’s housing secretary Michael Gove. Kingspan’s K15 insulation had been used in Grenfell Tower, which caught fire in 2017, killing 72 people. Kingspan claimed that the product was “misused” and had no knowledge of it being supplied to the company that fitted it in the building. The company stated that their insulation products, including K15, were safe when installed appropriately in external wall systems. The company also pledged to pay for remediation costs where they were responsible for the inappropriate use of K15. Gove invited Kingspan’s CEO to discuss remediation payments. Gove argued that companies that have manufactured flammable products and sold them have a moral and financial obligation to recognize their role in unsafe buildings.
In conclusion, the alarming revelations about Kingspan and its dangerous insulation products have highlighted the critical importance of public safety. The revelations are a wake-up call for the authorities to take more robust and proactive measures to safeguard the well-being of citizens. Although the UK government has taken significant steps to address the issue, including the ban on combustible materials in high-rise buildings, there is still a long way to go. The focus must remain on ensuring that all building materials adhere to the highest safety standards to prevent future tragedies. We must remain vigilant and continue to call out companies, like Kingspan, who put profits over the safety of the public. Ultimately, public safety is non-negotiable, and we must do everything in our power to protect it.
