THE fire safety at two Fife high-rise blocks of flats is to be improved, following findings from a new report.
A series of recommendations were made on Swan and Memorial Court by consultants commissioned by Fife Council to evaluate work by contractors carrying out improvements to fire stopping at the blocks.
The local authority said that it intents to ‘act swiftly’ on the recommendations as a ‘precaution’, with the consultants’ report suggesting that the use of Phenolic Tile External Wall Insulation (EWI), coupled with a lack of fire breaks in the buildings, ‘potentially’ poses a higher risk.
The council said that it has a contrary view and has agreed to commission the Building Research Establishment (BRE) to physically test the EWI and feedback their results to the local authority over the short term.
However, to fully mitigate the risks identified by the consultants and reassure its tenants, Fife Council said it is taking ‘proactive’ steps and is looking to remove the existing EWI and replace it with a mineral, wool-based EWI system ‘as soon as practicable’.
John Mills, head of housing at Fife Council, said, “Following the past tragic events in tower blocks in England, we have been working with our tenants to reassure them that they are safe in their homes, and that has been supported with rigorous reassessment to make sure the materials used to clad our buildings is safe.
“The council’s tower block review group has also made a number of improvements such as the installation of sprinkler systems to ground floor areas, the upgrading of doors to 60 minute fire safety and fire alarm connection to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.
“However, we are not complacent in relation to the need for effective fire safety and we are always working to enhance standards beyond the current building standards requirements.
“The risk posed by the existing EWI may be higher with the lack of external fire breaks and therefore we’re keen to fully mitigate these risks as soon as possible.
“We’re visiting all of our tenants and residents to offer face-to-face advice and discussions about any concerns they may have in light of the new information we’ve received.”
