Panels to be removed from 11 tower blocks
WINDOW panels will be removed from several Clydebank tower blocks following an independent review in the wake of the Grenfell Tower fire tragedy.
West Dunbartonshire Council said it will remove external window panels on 11 high-rise blocks in the town.
It comes after the council commissioned an external expert to conduct comprehensive fire safety assessments of the 22 flats in the wake of the Grenfell Tower fire in June this year.
The consultant has recommended that the panels below each window in 11 of the blocks should be replaced.
The local authority said that the checks raised questions over the composition of the material used within the panels.
The panels met current building safety regulations but will be taken off to remove any uncertainty. The council said it is removing the panels from five blocks in Dalmuir, five blocks in North Drumry and one block at Kilbowie.
Work is under way to identify alternative panels, and the removal and replacement programme will begin as soon as possible.
The council’s independent assessor has stressed that the window panels “are not in any way similar to those installed in Grenfell” and has recommended the material is removed to ensure the buildings meet enhanced fire safety standards.
Following the tragedy in London, the focus has been on the cladding applied to tower blocks, and the council previously confirmed that none of the high-rise properties in West Dunbartonshire were clad with the external material used at Grenfell.
The enhanced checks, which the council say go beyond what is expected of landlords in Scotland, were commissioned to scrutinise all aspects of fire safety within the buildings and offer further reassurance to residents.
Housing officers yesterday hand-delivered letters to residents of all 11 affected blocks.
Council officers are also in regular communications with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS), focused on all aspects of safety within high rise blocks, and this will continue throughout these works. SFRS are also putting measures in place to further reassure tenants, and will visit any tenants at their homes and carry out free home safety visits.
The reports’ findings have also been shared with the Scottish Government and West Dunbartonshire Council is recommending that all councils and housing associations with similar properties across Scotland consider independent assessment of the properties.
We reported last week that two Glasgow tower blocks, within the Glasgow Harbour development, with ‘Grenfell style’ cladding have been put on a round-the-clock fire safety watch.