high-rise news Home visits

Transcription

1 high-rise news Fire safety special edition 2 - August 2017 Home visits Over the last few weeks we have been visiting every resident who lives in a multistorey block to make the necessary safety checks. We have now visited the majority of residents, and will continue to attempt to visit the few people we have yet to see. If we haven t seen you yet and if you would like to make a specific appointment, please contact us on or discuss with your caretaker. Jon Mallen-Beadle, Managing Director of The Gateshead Housing Company.

2 About the visits We will visit to: Gather up-to-date information about household members to ensure we meet the different needs of our customers. Importantly, this also helps us to make sure that, in the event of any emergency, Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service have accurate information on who is living in the block. This will help them if they need to make a controlled evacuation. Advise residents what they should do in the event of a fire. Advise residents what they can do to help reduce the risk of fire. Confirm the caretaker s roles and responsibilities in relation to fire safety. Confirm the block s fire safety features. Confirm details of the block inspections that have been arranged. Check fire safety features within the flat. In order to check on parts of the building our technical team will also need to visit you: Surveyors will inspect flat doors and ducts inside your home along with the smoke detection systems. A contractor (Fire Linings) will inspect any compartmentation inside your home and the fire stopping between floors in each block, carrying out any identified work. A contractor (Barrier Surveillance) will check smoke detection systems in blocks fitted with GDX door entry systems to carry out repairs where necessary. You may also see workers repairing fire doors and windows in the communal areas. It is a condition of your Tenancy Agreement that you must give reasonable access to your home for inspections to be carried out. Legal action may be taken if you unreasonably refuse access into your home for these purposes. Remember: always ask to see a caller s ID. If you are unsure whether a visitor is genuine, call the Multi-storey Team on

3 Results from the visits so far Over the last several years we carried out a programme of fire safety work. The visits and checks so far have found that this work is generally still in good condition. In our current round of safety checks, we have not found any major defects so far. However, we have identified the need for some remedial work including: a few fire doors not closing correctly; some holes in door frames; and some issues where contractors doing work for tenants have not sealed holes they have drilled. Your questions answered Q When will the next fire safety check be done at my block? A We have a legal duty to carry out fire risk assessments at every high-rise block every year. To reassure everyone after the London fire, each fire risk assessment is being independently revisited, whether it s due or not. This started the week of 10 July. As well as these reviews, Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) has inspected all high-rise blocks. Q Should I stay in my flat if there s a fire in my block? A If the fire is in your flat or a directly neighbouring flat, get out, stay out and dial 999. If it is elsewhere in the block, the flats are designed to keep you safe for up to 60 minutes while the firefighters deal with any fire. You should stay in your flat with your doors and windows closed, unless the fire service tells you to leave. Q Why are there no fixed fire hose reels on each floor? A All of our high-rise blocks have a water riser system installed. This allows the fire service to get a water supply to all floors of the building and connect portable hoses for firefighting. These systems are regularly checked and maintained to make sure they are working correctly to provide water to all areas of the building. Q Are you considering installing sprinklers? A There s a sprinkler system at Regent Court due to the construction and layout of that particular block. In common with other social landlords, we re looking at the practicalities and costs of having sprinklers in other blocks. Any decision about installing them would be taken jointly by the council and the housing company, with advice from TWFRS. Q Will you be providing fire extinguishers in flats? A No. If there s a fire in your flat, the advice is to get out and call the fire service. You could lose vital seconds by fighting the fire. 3

4 Works due to begin at Regent Court A large scheme to carry out energy improvement works and replace the timber façade at Regent Court will start at the beginning of September. The improvements include: removal of gas boilers and connection to the environmentally friendly District Energy Scheme external flat windows will be replaced new curtain walling at the front and rear of the block to replace the current timber façade. Gateshead Council has developed the scheme and has appointed Wilmott Dixon Ltd to deliver the work. Car parking In preparation for work to start, Wilmott Dixon will be setting up a large site compound in the residents car park at the back of the block from early September. As a result, there will be no access to the car park from 28 August to autumn 2018, apart from maintaining access for emergency vehicles and bin wagons. In the meantime Warwick Court car park can be used. You will need to ask us to activate your key fob for Warwick Court car park barrier, but there will be no need for you to come to our office - we can do it without actually seeing your fob. As always, please take care not to park in spaces reserved for emergency vehicles. Want to know more? the Investment Team or call

5 Improvements at Beacon, Fell, and Lough Courts Significant improvements to three multi-storey blocks in Wrekenton are now almost complete. The work will transform the appearance of Beacon, Lough and Fell Courts and also make them warmer and more energy efficient. The improvements include: new double-glazed windows for all the flats and communal areas new roof coverings external wall insulation. 5

6 The external insulation board provides a high level of resistance to fire growth and surface spread. Further fire safety work is due to start in November, to install 60 minute rated fire doors to communal service duct doors. We will contact you before this fire door work starts and keep you informed throughout. As the works will only be carried out in communal areas, disruption to residents will be minimal, and our customer service team will be on hand to give support when needed. Neil Bouch, Director of Customers and Communities, said: This is a very exciting refurbishment for these three blocks. As well as making the blocks look great, the insulation and new windows will make the flats warmer during the colder months and may help reduce fuel bills. If you are interested in renting one of these flats then please contact the housing company s Lettings Team at tyneandwearhomes@gatesheadhousing.co.uk 6

7 Getting some work done to your flat? Residents who want to buy a phone, digital or media package (eg Sky, Virgin, BT) must follow the permissions procedures required for making alterations (see co.uk/a-guide-to-makingimprovements-to-your-home). This is especially important in multi-storey blocks, as the installation of telecoms and digital services can have a direct effect on the building s fire safety measures. Any holes that are drilled for cables must be sealed with the correct fire safety materials and cables must be appropriately supported so that they do not come loose in the event of a fire. You will need to contact us to request authorisation for the work at least three weeks before it is carried out. This is so we can check the contractor s health and safety documents. If you do not provide this information with your request, our review may take longer than three weeks. We will also need to carry out quality checks after any work is completed for the safety of you and other residents in the block. You may be charged if the work is not to the correct standard. Before making an appointment with any contractor, please contact the Multi-storey Team at operationalsupport@gatesheadhousing.co.uk or for authorisation. 7

8 Here to help All of our high-rise blocks have a residential caretaker, who is committed to helping residents feel safe and happy in their homes. As well as making daily, weekly, and monthly safety checks, they are also available to assist our residents with any issues. You can watch our More than just a landlord video on our YouTube channel (GatesheadHousingCo), which features Caretaker Derek Byrne talking about why he enjoys his job. Did you know that our caretakers are some of the most complimented employees in the company? We regularly receive thank-yous from customers, colleagues and contractors regarding their help with cleaning, gardening and security issues. Big thanks to Russell Easter (pictured right), who cleared up some broken glass as soon as it was reported. Peter White has been working hard to keep everything looking good. Pete Turner Priory Court is the cleanest and tidiest block we go into. We will continue to keep residents updated. In the meantime, if you have any further concerns or questions, please the Multi-storey Team at operationalsupport@gatesheadhousing.co.uk or call Do your bit for recycling by passing this on to a neighbour when you have read it. 8