grenfell: the fallout an edinburgh napier university ...grenfell – the fallout: an edinburgh...

Welcome

Robert Taylor GIFireE

Fire Safety Adviser

Edinburgh Napier University (ENU)

GRENFELL:

The fallout – an Edinburgh Napier University

perspective

[Note: all views and opinions expressed are my own and not my employer]

Grenfell – the fallout: an Edinburgh Napier University perspective

14th June 2017


Disbelief !!!!!!!!


Media: mainstream and social media

Before midday on the day of the fire, reports first suggest that the cladding placed on the tower during its recent refurbishment was a significant factor in the rapid spread of fire that engulfed the premises.


The cladding

A

C

M

luminium

omposite

aterial


Cladding type

• Reynobond PE (LDPE)

• Description


National guidance / advice

• Recommends that owners / occupiers and landlords review their fire risk assessments

• In particular to carry out specific checks on premises above 18m with reference to any rain cladding utilising the particular ACM (Reynobond PE)


ENU approach

• Desktop exercise – Warrant drawings

– O&M manuals

– Premises H&S file under CDM

– Other certification

• Identified areas for concern to be flagged for follow up physical inspection


Certification

• First conflict in the paperwork at one site between – The Approved Warrant granted by City of Edinburgh Council

– British Board of Agrément (BBA) Certification

• Warrant states that Reynolux were to be used as the approved cladding material

• BBA cert notes the material as Reynobond PE

• Friday night phone call from Property & Facilities Director

• On site survey with relevant people – Surveyor

– Fire, H&S advisers

– Cladding specialists


Bainfield student residencies

Fountainbridge, Edinburgh


Property description

• Mixed height development between 5-8 floors – in part over 18m

• Design and build, leased on a full repair basis for 25 years by ENU

• Purpose built student accommodation – 117 flats

– 778 students; individual study bedrooms and shared social space

• Single 2 hour protected escape stair from each block

• Approached from a ventilated firefighting lobby

• Subject to HMO Licence from City of Edinburgh, renewed March 2017


Elevations


On site survey

• Concerns re blue/green panels

• Specialist contractor provides some assurance

• Identifies the timber veneer panels as the potential ACM cladding

• These panels cover approx. 25% of the structure: 500 - 600 approx.


Survey: next step

• Random audit of each elevation

• Looking in particular at: – panel

– fixing

– insulation behind

– cavity barriers

• Confirms presence of ACM “Reynobond PE” cladding

• Confirms blue/green panels are of a cassette type only: non combustible


ACM cladding panel


Carrier system and insulation


Fire barriers

• Important to ascertain if installed correctly


The way forward for ENU

Priority task group set up by University to oversee project

priority task group

Communication strategy produced

communication

Plan of works produced to rectify situation

plan of works

Property Director takes decision to replace panels:

reputational

potential risk to staff and students

low appetite for risk at University

although premises empty at present over 400 14-16 year old due to arrive within a week

financial loss

decision to replace panels


Fire Adviser tasking

• Early contact with Scottish Fire & Rescue Service (SFRS)

• Review of existing fire risk assessments (FRA) for premises (5 in total)

• Produce appendix to all FRA’s detailing current state – end state c/w action plan of works

• Assign a risk rating to the project: increased from previous

• Informal discussions with Senior Fire Officer re what compensatory measures we have detailed and in place to reduce the risk

• Submission of FRA’s to Fire Service and request to continue to occupy whilst remedial works are undertaken


Cladding specific Fire Risk

Assessment

• Measures to consider for continued use of premises – means of escape

– securing the MoE

– warning/detection in case of fire

– firefighting equipment

– emergency lighting

– signage

– training incl. mandatory evacuation drills

– maintenance

– compensatory features


SFRS response

• Received an email response 26th June

• Confirms and agrees with our FRA and allows us to continue to operate during the remedial works

• Inspection by two auditing and enforcement officers on 27th June – comprehensive testing / maintenance records going back 3 years were

requested

– officers confirm that we can occupy and continue to operate

• An additional fire appliance is added to the pre-determined attendance to every call: 4 pumps and a height till works are completed


Progression

• Delay to start due to procurement

• 4 week replacement when work begins early July

• Maintenance of safe work site as building occupied

• Regular H&S Adviser audits

• Complications with access

• Works complete in just over 3 weeks at a cost of £100K


Additional pressures during project


Any questions?

grenfell: the fallout an edinburgh napier university ...grenfell – the fallout: an edinburgh...

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