Residents reassured over fire safety

RESIDENTS living in Caerphilly care homes with outdated fire alarms are not in any danger, a council meeting has heard.

Caerphilly council’s cabinet approved plans to spend £170,000 to replace alarms, which are around 15 years old, at six homes across the county borough.

The affected care homes are Ty Iscoed in Risca, Beatrice Webb in Blackwood, Brodawel and Castle View in Caerphilly and Ty Clyd in Bargoed.

The systems were due to be upgraded within three years but Dave Street, corporate director for social services and housing, called for an immediate upgrade “as a matter of urgency”.

Recent fire risk assessments completed at each of the homes had also identified “major concerns” with fire compartmentation and other fire safety measures.

Mr Street told councillors that the alarms were “perfectly complaint”, but fire safety requirements had been strengthened following the Grenfell Tower fire.

The blaze which broke out on June 14 last year in London caused 74 deaths and injured a further 70 people.

“There is no danger, and the alarms worked perfectly with the standards as they were,” said Mr Street. “But quite understandably in light of the awful events at Grenfell Tower, standards have gone up.”

Councillor Dave Poole, leader of the council, added: “We need to emphasise that there is no risk at all to our residents.”

The improvements will be covered by £120,000 from council reserves with the council spending all its facilities budget for the year.