The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
City tower blocks may get water sprinklers
A north-east local authority is considering installation of water sprinklers in its tower blocks in the wake of at least 79 people dying in London’s Grenfell Tower blaze.
Officials are investigating putting the emergency measures into bin storage areas – a common target for fire-raisers in the Granite City.
The city council is considering installing sprinkler systems in tower blocks across Aberdeen as fire safety comes under the spotlight.
Correspondence seen by the Press and Journal shows senior council officers are investigating the feasibility of putting the emergency measures into bin storage areas – a common target for fire-raisers.
But critics said such protections should have been in place “from the start”.
Two years ago, terrified residents of Torry’s Grampian Court were taken to hospital after a major blaze was started deliberately in the high rise’s bin room.
The June 2015 fire resulted in four people, including a baby girl, being hospitalised with smoke inhalation after youths set the blaze and fled.
Days later there was another blaze reported in the bin room of Seaton’s Promenade Court and in January this year a less serious fire was reported in the refuse area of Linksfield Court.
The Grenfell Tower blaze in London, which claimed the lives of at least 79 people, has focused attention on the safety of high-rise blocks – though none in Scotland have the exterior cladding blamed for the severity of that deadly inferno.
Aberdeen has a total of 59 tower blocks and it is unclear how much it would cost to install sprinklers or when it would be done.
Last night a senior councillor welcomed the news but said the measures should have been fitted “from the start”.
Hazlehead, Queens Cross and Ashley councillor Martin Greig is a former chairman of Grampian Community Safety Partnership.
He said: “It is worthwhile giving special attention to the safety of bin stores because they are in such close proximity to people’s homes.
“There have been reports of misbehaviour in storage areas.
“Since these places are vulnerable, all possible efforts should be made to make them as safe as possible. Precautionary actions would be helpful to give residents further protection from potential dangers.
“To avoid risks and hazards, refuse needs to be stored in the bin containers.”
Torry and Ferryhill councillor Catriona Mackenzie met Grampian Court residents yesterday as part of a fire brigade briefing to tower block residents.
She said: “If a sprinkler system is the best solution, and the council think this is a good way to protect residents of tower blocks, then absolutely it is something that should be investigated.”
“Give special attention to bin store safety”