Agenda item - FIRE SAFETY IN FLATS

Agenda item

FIRE SAFETY IN FLATS

Presentation from the Head of Property Services on fire safety in flats following the Grenfell Tower block fire.

 

Minutes:

Executive Director (Housing and Communities) reassured the Panel that, following devastating events at Grenfell Tower, the Council had implemented a number of initiatives to ensure that the residents of the two Council-owned tower blocks in the Borough, Queensway House and Goldings House, were as safe as possible. 

 

The Head of Property Services (Housing) read the following statement.

 

“Queensway House

 

Cladding samples

 

The contractor who installed the cladding in 2012 has given an assurance that the materials and the system are not the same as that used in Grenfell Tower.

 

However, as an extra precaution the Council today took samples and they are currently being tested at the Building Research Establishment (BRE) - this is the organisation which is testing cladding for other local authorities and is approved by the government to do this. We have been advised by the BRE that we will have the results in the next couple of days.

 

We have published a statement on the Council's website, carried out a letter drop to all Queensway House residents this afternoon and circulated the statement to all Members.

 

Working with the Fire Service

 

Nick Long and Simone Russell attended a Local Resilience Forum (LRF) meeting this afternoon at Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue HQ - this was a county-wide meeting to look at fire safety issues.

 

Simone Russell and Peter Gray will also be meeting with Andrew Butler, Head of Protection (Fire Protection Team) to discuss how we can work with the Fire Service in managing fire risk. This will include other measures we can take to maximise fire safety in Queensway House, in light of the terrible tragedy which occurred at Grenfell Tower. This will include looking at options for installing a sprinkler system to all communal areas of Queensway.

 

Contingency planning

 

We had received reassurance from the contractor who fitted the cladding at Queensway House that it is safe - however we want to be prepared for any eventuality.  As such we are carrying out the following actions:

 

        Identifying a contractor to be on stand-by in the event that part or all of the cladding has to be removed. This includes the provision of scaffolding which will be required.

 

        Identifying suitable alternative short term accommodation for residents of Queensway House, should the need arise to decant them whilst works are being arranged/carried out.  Seeking a contractor to deliver around the clock warden patrols within Queensway House, should the need arise.

 

Identifying vulnerable tenants in Queensway House

 

We are clarifying which residents would need special assistance in the event of an emergency evacuation and/or decanting, should the need arise. This includes residents with a disability/older people.

 

Goldings House

 

This block is owned by Paradigm Housing Association. We have received assurances from them about fire safety and will continue to liaise with them so that we can satisfy ourselves that they building is being well managed.”

 

Head of Community and Housing Strategy further stated that Paradigm confirmed they carried out regular Fire Risk Assessments, the most recent being carried out in November 2016.  Because of the nature of the services provided at Goldings House, including a Foyer project, there was 24 hours staff cover and an evacuation procedure is in place in the event of a fire.  There is no sprinkler system”.

 

Members of the Panel raised a number of questions and concerns to which Officers provided the responses detailed below.

 

        Queensway House had a stay-put policy for evacuation in the event of a fire in the block.  Currently the Fire and Rescue Service supports this approach.  However depending upon the response from the Government, this approach will be reviewed by the Council.

 

        Following the two letter drops to the residents of Queensway House no queries or concerns had been received by the Council by its residents.

 

        Following the resilience meeting attended by the Executive Directors referred to in the first statement there were no plans to change the current policy at the present time.

 

        There were 66 separate flats, mostly one bedroom.  The Council is looking at options for sprinkler systems will install an appropriate system for the building if this is required. The Council will also follow the Government’s/Fire Service recommendations. 

 

        The installation of a sprinkler system does not necessarily have to be only on the Government’s recommendation.  However it will be considered as part of a complete package of measures for improving and developing the safety of the blocks of flats.

 

Councillor Perkins, as Cabinet Member, stated categorically that the Cabinet was actively looking at and giving serious consideration to the installation of a sprinkler system at Queensway House at policy level.  The Cabinet was currently obtaining advice from experts in the field.  However, there was no government requirement at this stage to install a sprinkler system.

 

Officers continued to respond to concerns raised by the Panel.

 

        Due to the layout of Goldings Houses, which was split into the ‘Foyer’ and general housing it was difficult to maintain a fire register.  There was no practical mechanism to monitor who was in the block at any given time.

 

        The majority of the Panel concurred with the view that a sprinkler system in Queensway House would be welcomed and that it should not be necessary to wait for a Government recommendation before it was considered and implemented.

 

        Fire Risk Assessments of other accommodation, including sheltered housing schemes are carried out regularly.  Works to these properties are scheduled as a complete package of improvement works. The Housing Team is also carrying out an audit to verify the information it already holds on vulnerable and elderly residents in Queensway House.

 

        The wider piece of work regarding the doors to leasehold flats and their fire safety rating was on-going.  The Panel would receive an update in due course. 

 

        The Panel noted that before the fire at Grenfell Tower a number of leaseholders had queried why it was necessary to install fire doors to their properties.  These queries had stopped since the fire.  Work continued to engage leaseholders.

 

        Queensway House had a single means of escape.  Frequent inspections of the block are undertaken by the caretaker to ensure that no debris was left in the communal areas and stairways.  This was at least weekly.  The last inspection was carried out one week ago and the areas were found to be spotlessly clean.

 

        A caretaker was dedicated to Queensway House.

 

        Officers in the Housing Department were working closely with the Corporate Property with regard to the access and use of the outside staircase/fire escape from the CAB area. 

 

        Queensway House had 12 floors.

 

The Panel, whilst recognising the need to have a holistic approach to any safety system or package in Queensway, reiterated the view that the Cabinet consider carefully the installation of a sprinkler system at Queensway House as expeditiously as possible.

 

Officers advised that a sprinkler system was one of many items currently being considered by the Council.  However, it was imperative that a measured approach was taken to ensure that the optimum safety system was installed and implemented.  Officers were committed to progressing the information and finding a resolution as soon as was reasonably possible to ensure that the residents of the blocks and all Council properties were as safe as possible.  The results of the testing of the cladding was awaited and would be collated with other information received.  The decision taken would depend on the information which was received; other aspects and elements would also need to be considered.  There was a number of different options regarding sprinkler systems appropriate for communal areas and flats.  There were a number of factors to be considered before any system was installed and advice and any recommendation from the Fire Service would be awaited and taken forward as soon as possible.  Officers recognised that the safety of residents was paramount.

 

Councillor Perkins, as Cabinet Member commented that the Council must follow the most appropriate advice and that the Cabinet was very much minded to agree for a sprinkler system to be installed.  However the Panel must be aware that the Cabinet needed to make a considered decision based on the advice received from the Fire Service.  The Council had to follow the appropriate advice recommended and to take into account the materials at Queensway House and the building layout.  It was imperative that, should a sprinkler system be installed, that it was the right one for the property as should it not be it may create an even more difficult situation.

 

Some Members again expressed the view that the Cabinet should not wait for a Government recommendation on Queensway House to be received but to actively go out to seek a solution.

 

Members also expressed the view that an ongoing communications plan must be prepared and shared with the appropriate organisations.  This would ensure that residents and the wider public would be kept fully informed of all information and decisions taken by the Cabinet.  It was imperative that there was communication with residents; residents received information from the Panel and that the Panel had expressed concerns regarding the sprinkler system.

 

Officers reassured Members that there had already been two letter drops to the residents of the blocks and that there would be continued communication.

 

A Tenant Panel Member commented that all the implications of the installation of a sprinkler system needed to be considered, including the disadvantages.  One such example being insurance premiums, should the sprinkler be activated on the top floor when the lower floors were not affected would result in extensive insurance claims due to water damage.

 

Officers advised that whilst there was legislation for non-smoking policies in the communal areas it would not be possible to put a blanket ban on a whole block It would not be enforceable and would be impossible to police.  Leases did not stipulate that a property was no smoking.  Nor would it be possible to regularly check electrical appliances in properties where the appliance had not been purchased by the Council. 

 

Officers reassured Members that should the investigation into the fire at Grenfell Tower identify an electrical appliance as being the cause then all Council residents would be advised to have any appliances of that make and model tested (Periodical Electrical Testing).  Information about the product would be circulated and advice and guidance given to residents.  This information would also be disseminated to all residents across the Borough.

 

Officers confirmed that the cladding insulation layer was being tested by the Building Research Establishment.

 

RESOLVED:

 

(1)     That the statements made by the (Officers) on the current situation regarding fire safety in flats be noted.

 

(2)     That the Cabinet consider the concerns raised by the Cabinet Housing Panel regarding the installation of a sprinkler system at Queensway House.

 

(3)     That the Cabinet be urged to install a sprinkler system at Queensway House as soon as practically possible.

 

(4)     That an ongoing communications plan be prepared, in order that residents and the wider public be fully informed of any decisions taken by the Cabinet. 

 

(5)     That the recommendations and advice received from the Government and other appropriate experts be considered and acted upon as appropriate.