Inside Housing has reported that the Building Research Establishment is to “discontinue its relationship” with insulation manufacturer Kingspan Insulated Panels, due to “reputational risk” following revelations made in the inquiry into Grenfell Tower fire.
The magazine said that it had seen a letter sent by Kingspan to its clients which confirmed that the BRE had officially notified the firm that it would cease testing of its products due to “perceived ‘reputational risk’ to the BRE.” However, the manufacturer rejected the decision, saying “there was no product performance basis for it.”
According to Inside Housing, the firm said it was “disappointed with the decision,” following a “co-operative relationship spanning two decades, during which time the BRE audited Kingspan Insulated Panels numerous times.” The BRE told the magazine that “it would no longer accept work from the firm, following evidence heard during the inquiry.”
The BRE was also ceasing testing of Celotex products, which were used on Grenfell Tower, said Inside Housing.
Kingspan said that its products “achieve full compliance with relevant building regulations.”