[Officers from Wolverhampton Homes will give an update on the progress of their projects which seek to improve fire safety as an outcome].
Minutes:
The Head of Commercial Services and Stock Investment – Wolverhampton Homes gave a presentation on the work they were undertaking to improve fire safety. He referred to two key projects, the Infrastructure Programme to the tower blocks and the Fire Safety Programme. The Infrastructure Programme was taking place over five years. Phase 1 at Chetton Green was now completed, which had involved the renewal of landlord supplies and the renewal of passive fire protection measures. He showed some example pictures of the fire stopping work and the passive fire protection measures that had been completed. A full photographic library auditing the material used in each location during the works for the Infrastructure Programme had been established.
The Chair was pleased to see the fire stopping work had been completed, as it was vitally important to prevent the spread of fire. He was also pleased to see the use of Rockwool which crumbled to dust during a fire, rather than giving off a toxic gas, such as the material that had been on Grenfell Tower. There was a general discussion about fire doors and walls and the differing fire resistance requirements. It was noted that new regulations could well change the fire resistance requirements. The Chair commented that the Dame Hackitt enquiry had concluded that the current building regulations were not fit for purpose. He was therefore expecting significant changes in the future. He did not want minimal fire safety standards he wanted the Council and Wolverhampton Homes to go above and beyond, where appropriate.
The Head of Commercial Services and Stock Investment – Wolverhampton Homes commented that phase 2 of the Infrastructure Programme would commence in April 2019 at Boscobel Estate. The delivery would include sprinkler installation. Phase 3 would start in the third quarter of 2019/20 at Lakefield Estate, where sprinklers would be installed as an integral part of the work.
As part of the fire safety programme work, they had planned to retro fit door closers where they hadn’t been installed to flat entrance doors. Due to MHCLG advice note 17, the work had been put on hold. MHCLG Advice Note 17 had highlighted systemic issues within the composite fire door industry. In summary neither the test houses or the manufacturers were following the British standard in terms of the testing requirements. The Ministry had conducted an exercise but had not shared the findings as to why the doors had failed, other than with the manufacturers. The Ministry had said that they should speak directly with the manufacturer. It was unfortunate that 80% of fire doors installed were made by companies that no longer existed. The industry had block booked all the test houses for the next nine months, meaning they were unable to test the fire doors independently. The Chair responded that he would raise the issue at the next LGA Fire Commission meeting and National Fire Chiefs Council. The Chief Executive of Wolverhampton Homes asked the Head of Commercial Service and Stock Investment to provide the Chair with a short briefing note on the issues they were having with fire doors.
The Head of Commercial Services and Stock Investment referred to the advice note 19 they had received from the MHCLG in October regarding owners of buildings which included spandrel panels/window panels/infill panels. The note advised that it was important for building owners to check the materials used in the panels to ensure that they did not present a risk of fire spread over the wall. The note advised that it may not be readily apparent what materials were present, particularly for composite products which could include inner combustible insulating cores. He advised that some of the buildings managed by Wolverhampton Homes were at higher risk than others. There would be a testing programme next financial year to fully understand the problems. The Chief Executive of Wolverhampton Homes advised that many of the windows were reaching their end of life regardless and needed to be replaced. The areas considered to be of greatest risk would be prioritised.
Members of the Panel requested that Officers at Wolverhampton Homes extend an invitation to local Councillors for site visits, as appropriate, when sprinklers were being installed.