Tower block surveys begin Work brought forward after tragedy
Structural surveys are to be carried out on North Lanarkshire Council tower blocks in the coming weeks and months.
The local authority had already started a programme of structural surveys to check the condition of the buildings and cladding systems but this programme has been accelerated with work getting underway on towers in Motherwell and Airdrie from this Monday, July 24.
The surveys will determine whether buildings are in good structural order and there has been no deterioration to the cladding systems – the insulation on which, North Lanarkshire point out, is not the same as the type used at Grenfell Tower. The material used is noncombustible mineral wool.
North Lanarkshire Council leader councillor Jim Logue said: “The safety of our tenants is paramount and we take our responsibilities as a landlord very seriously.
“We already had a planned survey programme for all our towers in place. However, as a result of the Grenfell tragedy, this work has been brought forward.
“In June last year four blocks in Coatbridge were surveyed as part of a planned programme of investment works in residential towers.
“Over the coming weeks and months, a structural survey programme will take place to check that the buildings are in good structural order and to check that no repairs are required to the cladding systems.
“This work will be undertaken by qualified structural engineers and, where essential repair works are identified, they will be carried out as quickly as possible.”
Assistant chief executive Robert Steenson said: “We will write to tenants to inform them about the planned work and continue to meet with tenants groups to update them regarding the survey work and provide general information and fire safety advice.
“There will be minimum disruption to residents and their properties during the survey work and we expect the initial phase of work to be completed within a few weeks.
“Once the exterior surveys have been completed we will then carry out internal structural surveys, before full structural surveys take place on all blocks from the end of September.”
The work will take place over three phases and be carried out by structural engineers.
Phase 1 – inspection of external condition of the buildings. All remaining 44 blocks (four already complete) will have selective external panels removed to inspect the condition of the buildings and cladding systems. This work will be completed by early September.
Phase 2 – internal inspection of selective buildings (as some buildings are of the same construction). This will include internal inspections in common areas, fire escapes, service routes and void spaces. This will also include some houses within the blocks. This work will be completed by the end of September/early October.
Phase 3 – the remaining 44 tower blocks in North Lanarkshire will be given a full structural survey (four have already been surveyed). This could last up to 40 weeks starting from the end of September/ early October.
Safety of our tenants is paramount