New fire safety concerns at flats complex
AN APARTMENT complex in Cardiff Bay with more than 450 flats has been described as “having very poor or non-existent fire-stopping”.
Last week, we revealed that people living in the Celestia development had been told their flats are a “major concern” fire risk.
They were told “internal and external fire stopping compromises” had been identified in the 15-storey Vega block of the Celestia development in Cardiff Bay.
If the fire service could not be satisfied that their requirements were being implemented, they would place a prohibition order on the block and all residents would have to leave.
Residents also said they had been told not to use their balconies for safety reasons, and one resident said they were concerned the apartments have been left unmortgageable.
Now, two reports seen by the Echo show fire safety issues have been identified in all seven buildings in the complex and are not limited to the Vega block.
Parkmans, which manages the site, said many of the defects identified were the result of “poor workmanship during construction”.
Overlooking the waterfront of Roath Basin, the Celestia development in Falcon Drive was completed in 2006.
A condition survey carried out by Hartland in July, which was sent to leaseholders, refers to circumstances in which “no attempt to install any fire-stopping whatsoever” had been made. It also highlights: ■ Gaps under doors that would allow fire and smoke “to come into the corridor freely with the carpet catching fire and spreading quickly”; ■ no attempt made to fire-stop around cables; ■ no attempt at fire-stopping in walls above doors;
■ no fire rated sealant between a door frame and wall opening, meaning that fire would escape around the back of the door frame, rendering the fire door useless;
■ a gap under a fire door more than twice as large as “generally acceptable”; and
■ “masses” of expanding used as fire sealant.
The report says: “There is a theme of very poor or non-existent firestopping through all seven buildings” and concludes: “We inspected various floors in each building and the theme demonstrated... above is constant throughout the seven buildings.
“We recommend that the shortcomings are addressed as quickly as possible by a third party accredited passive fire protection installer.”
As we reported last week, the fire service “expressed major concern with Vega, in particular, as a result of the internal and external fire stopping compromises recently identified” and that Welsh Government officials are also involved.
A further assessment was carried out on the Vega building – the highest block in the Celestia development – by International Fire Consultants Limited in July 2019.
The detailed survey was carried out following “issues concerning the quality of workmanship (and product choice) on the external walls of the Celestia development”.
Using a flat on level six for the investigation, the survey found no effective fire stopping in the wall between the corridor and the flat, adding this required remedial work to maintain the 60 minutes fire resistance of the compartment wall.
It concludes: “The assessment confirms the findings of the indicative survey that no effective fire-stopping Matt Grayson, Redrow spokesman foam exists in the compartment wall between each flat and the common corridor.
“The compartment wall construction of a steel framing system with dry lining will provide the required fire resistance from either side once the defects are remediated.”
Residents now fear the repairs are going to personally cost them and that the cost could run into thousands.
A “section 20” notice – which states that a landlord must carry out a consultation when the contribution towards costs from a leaseholder may exceed £250 – has been sent to leaseholders, with the consultation period ending on September 27.
In a statement, Parkmans, the managing agents for the site, who are instructed by Celestia Management Company Limited (CMCL), said many of the defects identified were the result of poor workmanship during construction, adding in most cases they had an idea of cost.
It said: “We are continuing discussions with the developers to confirm their intentions and expect firm proposals within the next few days.
“Otherwise, Parkmans nor CMCL can comment further at this time, whilst we continue to engage with the interested parties to seek a resolution to the issues relating to the development.”
Last week, Parkmans explained that “Laing O’Rourke were employed by Redrow as the principal contractors of a design and build contract, Arup and Hayes Engineering were also appointed contractors”.
A Laing O’Rourke spokeswoman said: “Laing O’Rourke is in discussions with Celestia Management Company Limited as CMCL work through their investigations. We are unable to comment further at this time.”
Matt Grayson, a spokesman for Redrow, added: “Although we didn’t build Celestia, and we don’t own the freehold, we continue to work closely with all relevant parties on an ongoing basis to play our part in addressing any issues.”
Arup declined to comment.
We continue to work closely with all relevant parties on an ongoing basis to play our part in addressing any issues