UK: Ireland-based Kingspan has denied liability for the use of its K15 rigid thermoset phenolic insulation boards at three high-rise blocks in the Pendleton Regeneration Scheme residential development in Salford, Greater Manchester. The insulation board were non-compliant for use in buildings over 18m high, allegedly contributing to a US$91.9m settlement paid by contractor Equans for resulting refurbishment work. The Sunday Times newspaper has reported that Equans is seeking a building liability order against Kingspan, fellow building products supplier Unilin and metal components supplier Arconic on the basis of alleged fraudulent or misleading representations about products used in the development, including K15 insulation.
Kingspan explained that it made no such representations, nor was it negligent. It has identified the presence of Arconic’s Reynobond polyethylene-aluminium composite panels as the alleged cause of the blocks’ non-compliance and further pointed out ‘missing and/or defective cavity barriers, structural defects and widespread workmanship defects’ as the fault of Equans.
