Andrew Bayly - Building and Construction

26 July 2018

The Government’s decision to suspend certificates for combustible cladding similar to that found in horrific Grenfell Tower fire is welcomed by National Party Building and Construction spokesperson Andrew Bayly.

Today the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment announced it has suspended of six aluminium composite panel (ACP) CodeMark certificates. The Grenfell Tower residential high-rise fire in London killed 72 people after cladding on the building combusted.

“It has taken the Government too long to take action given that a report damning the certification of these aluminium composite panels in New Zealand was delivered to the Government in November last year,” Mr Bayly says.

“This is a good decision and also acknowledges the work of others to bring this to the attention of the Government.

“However, the suspension continues to raise the issue of the integrity of the CodeMark system which is the highest standard of certification of new products able to be used in New Zealand.

“In particular, it also raises issues around Brisbane-based CertMark which issued this particular set of ACP certifications, but also prepares approximately 50 per cent of all new product certifications in the New Zealand market.

“There is still a range of substandard materials coming into New Zealand, including substandard electrical cabling which has been used in multiple Auckland apartments, structural steel and plumbing ware, and shower glass that doesn’t meet safety requirements.

“Building and Construction Minister Jenny Salesa must address the integrity of CodeMark and I will continue to hold the Government to account to ensure that it learns from overseas experience and keeps New Zealanders safe.”

© Scoop Media