{"id":10732,"date":"2017-06-14T17:01:39","date_gmt":"2017-06-14T16:01:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.christianvoice.org.uk\/?p=10732"},"modified":"2017-06-16T13:45:27","modified_gmt":"2017-06-16T12:45:27","slug":"grenfell-tower-building-control-bible","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.christianvoice.org.uk\/index.php\/grenfell-tower-building-control-bible\/","title":{"rendered":"Grenfell Tower – Building Control in the Bible"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Grenfell<\/a>
Grenfell Tower was gutted by the fire, which appears to have spread through external cladding<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Even as we pray for those involved in the disaster, the horrific blaze and loss of life and property at Grenfell Tower in West London will raise many questions. Fire safety, fire escapes and the flammability of construction materials will be among them.<\/p>\n

Public safety is duty of government<\/h2>\n

Jeremy Corbyn has immediately pointed the finger at Government ministers. He is right to do so.<\/p>\n

The Bible makes clear that public safety from men of violence\u00a0is the first duty of the state. The Apostle Peter lays this out clearly:<\/p>\n

1Peter 2:14 Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Meanwhile, the Apostle Paul says that is why we pay taxes:<\/p>\n

Romans 13:4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. … 6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Law given to Moses contains building control<\/h2>\n

But public safety does not end there. The law-books of Moses contain building regulations. These may be little known. Nevertheless, they came from the mouth of God and are universally applicable. \u00a0One of them in particular has public safety in construction very much in mind:<\/p>\n

Deuteronomy 22:8 When thou buildest a new house, then thou shalt make a battlement for thy roof, that thou bring not blood upon thine house, if any man fall from thence.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Flat roofs are notorious for danger at the edge. \u00a0The continuation of the wall past the roof for a distance of around three feet provides safety. \u00a0We can take out from this that any building must be safe. \u00a0Moreover, this is not a mere personal duty. The use of the singular shows it applies to the whole nation. The judges would take to task anyone who cut corners.<\/p>\n

In any event, if a building fell and killed or injured people or property, the general rules of equity would kick in and restituion would be made. In the event of a death, that restitution would be made with the life of someone culpable. \u00a0That is clear from the scripture.<\/p>\n

Grenfell Tower refurb met regulations<\/h2>\n

Last year a building\u00a0firm completed a two-year \u00a310m refurbishment. Rydon Construction replaced windows and put in a communal heating system. Crucially, they installed new exterior cladding. The insulation in this instance may turn out to have been inflammable. \u00a0Astonishingly, many modern rigid foam insulation products can catch and spread, as this report graphically shows<\/a><\/strong>. \u00a0They include the popular polystyrene,\u00a0polyurethane and polyisocyanurate. \u00a0The latter, with the brand name of ‘Celotex’\u00a0was used on Grenfell Tower. \u00a0Only last year, safety experts warned the Government<\/a><\/strong> about cladding buildings in plastic foam like Celotex. \u00a0And it has emerged that a fire-resistant version of the cladding would have cost just \u00a35,000 more<\/a><\/strong> at Grenfell Tower. \u00a0Just how ‘fire-resistant’ it is has not been revealed. \u00a0Many materials take a while to catch fire, but once they do the effect is terrifying.<\/p>\n

According to the BBC, the firm said it was<\/a><\/strong> “shocked to hear of the devastating fire”. They said the work “met all required building control, fire regulation and health and safety standards”.<\/p>\n

If that is true, and local Building Control must have signed the work off, then the regulations must be looked at again.
\nBut be very sure. This is not a matter where the government may legitimately blame some agency. If these is avoidable loss of life in the realm, ministers must shoulder the blame.<\/p>\n

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Even as we pray for those involved in the disaster, the horrific blaze and loss of life and property at Grenfell Tower in West London will raise many questions. Fire safety, fire escapes and the flammability of construction materials will be among them. Public safety is duty of government Jeremy Corbyn has immediately pointed the 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