Fire Safety Experts Warn Green Walls Could Pose 'Grenfell-Style' Combustibility Risks

Researchers are issuing urgent warnings regarding the fire safety of "living walls," arguing that the plastic-based potting systems used to sustain vertical gardens could pose a severe risk to high-rise safety. Similar to the flammable cladding involved in the 2017 Grenfell Tower disaster, the synthetic materials used to anchor these plants can act as fuel conduits, potentially accelerating fire spread across building facades. The report highlights a critical regulatory gap, as these installations are often treated as landscaping rather than core building materials, allowing them to bypass rigorous fire-resistance testing. As urban architecture continues to favor biophilic designs, experts are calling for a shift toward non-combustible materials like steel and aluminum, alongside mandatory fire-testing protocols. The findings signal a necessary evolution in building standards, emphasizing that sustainable design must prioritize human safety and fire mitigation strategies to avoid catastrophic failures in future high-rise developments.