‘Full and rigorous’ fire checks on flats in wake of tragedy
HOUSING bosses are to carry out a ‘full and rigorous fire risk assessment’ on the Seven Sisters following the devastating Grenfell Tower blaze in London.
At the time of writing at least 17 people were confirmed to have died after the huge fire destroyed the tower block in north Kensington, in the early hours of Wednesday. But police and fire officials say the death toll is expected to rise significantly, with ‘unknown numbers’ of people still in the building. College Bank landlords Rochdale Boroughwide Housing have written to tenants assuring them that the Seven Sisters ‘meet all of the required fire safety standards and each block has a full fire risk assessment in place’.
The letter adds: “As further details emerge about the nature and cause of the fire at Grenfell Tower we will be making sure we fully consider any lessons for the future of College Bank and the options we are currently considering for investment in the blocks.”
In a statement the housing association said: “We remain deeply saddened and shocked about the tragic fire at Grenfell Tower in London.
“Our thoughts are with those affected and their families and friends.
“All seven blocks at College Bank meet all current fire safety standards and each block has a full fire risk assessment in place.
“In addition, in the period 2016/2017 we have invested in excess of £300,000 in a programme of fire safety upgrades at College Bank, including the fitting of emergency lighting, replacement bin hoppers and upgrades to a number of existing fire doors.
“We review our fire risk assessments for College Bank on an annual basis. Following our recent investment, we will be conducting a full and rigorous fire risk assessment on each block at College Bank in the next few weeks, as per our normal programme.
“In consultation with Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, we have reviewed our evacuation procedures following the Grenfell Tower tragedy. GMFRS have confirmed that
our existing procedures are appropriate.”
Earlier this week council leader Richard Farnell called on RBH to carry out the safety checks.
He said: “RBH should undertake an immediate and rigorous safety check of the blocks following the disaster in London. Nothing less will do. There should be an immediate reassessment of evacuation procedures and advice given to tenants to ensure that in the event of a fire people can get out safely.
“Residents will be rightly worried. College Bank has an excellent safety record, but RBH must act quickly to ensure the horrific fire at Grenfell Tower could not happen here.”
Coun Farnell has also written to the new housing minister Alok Sharma demanding an immediate change in the law to make tower blocks much safer and save lives.
Under current law, all new flats above three storeys in height must have a sprinkler system fitted and fire alarms in communal areas. But there is no requirement for these to be installed in existing tower blocks.
Coun Farnell said: “The government must act now to change the law and provide the funding to allow all high rise flats to have all the essential fire safety equipment in place.
“It must be a priority for the government and RBH to put this right as a matter of urgency.”