The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Tower blocks set for fire safety improvements
Fife Council ensuring buildings are at their best after the Grenfell tragedy
A post-Grenfell programme of fire safety improvements is to be made in Fife’s tower blocks.
Sprinkler systems will be fitted in bin stores and direct alarm links will be established with the fire service. Additional measures to prevent a tragedy will include the creation of extra escape routes and replacement of fire doors.
Fife’s multi-storey blocks are already considered safe and all fire precautions meet the standards required by building control.
But the council’s head of housing, John Mills, said the improvements would offer an extra layer of comfort, adding: “We believe the measures outlined will ensure a higher level of amenity for tower block residents.”
Fife Council is to improve fire safety standards in all of its tower blocks in the wake of the Grenfell tragedy.
An action plan will see the introduction of sprinkler systems in bin stores and direct alarm links with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.
The raft of measures will also include additional escape routes and the replacement of some fire doors.
The fitting of sprinkler systems within individual homes is being looked at but head of housing John Mills said it was ultimately a matter for the UK and Scottish Governments to determine.
He added that tenants were generally more worried about high risk areas such as bin stores.
While Fife’s multi-storey blocks are already considered safe and all fire precautions meet the standards required by building control, the disaster in London in which at least 80 people were killed has prompted moves toward enhanced fire safety standards.
The work is expected to be complete by June, at which point the blocks will meet the stringent standards required for new buildings.
More fire safety checks and regular fire safety training for caretaking and concierge staff will also be introduced.
Mr Mills said the safety and wellbeing of tenants and residents was the primary concern.
“Fife’s tower blocks are desirable places to live, verified by the high lettings demand from housing applicants,” he said.
“We believe the measures outlined will ensure a higher level of amenity for tower block residents.”
Fife Council launched a review of its multi-storey flats in the days following the Grenfell inferno.
It was immediately made clear that the exterior cladding that allowed the fire to spread so quickly up the outside of Grenfell Tower was not the same as that used in any high rise block in Scotland.
Addressing members of the community and housing services committee, Mr Mills said: “I propose we move to enhanced standards rather than rely on standards that were set in the 1960s and 70s.”
Dunfermline councillor Helen Law hailed housing officers for their immediate actions following the tragedy.
“Fife Council moved very quickly to assure tenants everything was being done to ensure they wouldn’t find themselves in that situation,” she said.
“The council has a great record on housing and the fact more enhanced work is being done on tower blocks is great.”
The council has a great record on housing and the fact more enhanced work is being done on tower blocks is great. COUNCILLOR HELEN LAW