CITYWEST ISSUES FIRE SAFETY STATEMENT AFTER GRENFELL FIRE

I am sure like us you have watched in shock as events have unfolded at Grenfell Tower in London. Our thoughts are with the victims and everybody affected by this awful incident.

City West owns 12 tower blocks across Salford, which have all been refurbished as part of our capital investment program since transfer in 2008. At this stage the cause of the fire in London is unknown although there is speculation that the cladding design may have been a contributing factor. We believe that the system used in London was an aluminium curtain walling cassette with insulation between that sits off the structure creating a void behind. This is where the fire may have spread. The cladding system that has been used on all the City West blocks is different with our system in essence being insulation, fixed flush to the building structure, with no gap behind.

In terms of our refurbishment program and the management of our high rise blocks, all materials and processes are fully compliant with the relevant up to date standards, regulations and legislation. Risk assessments are in place, which are reviewed annually by a qualified person, supported by scheme inspections and regular visits from the fire service. We will await the findings from London and we will (with Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service and Greater Manchester Housing Providers) look at any lessons that can be learnt once the full details emerge. In the meantime, I wanted to reassure you that our fire safety management arrangements are robust and are subject to a number of independent external checks.

We are currently undertaking a fire safety action week involving the fire service and the provision of advice to customers. We will use these planned communications to reiterate any key messages arising from yesterday’s events. As you would have expected, we have received calls from high rise customers concerned about what they have witnessed in London and the implications for their home. These enquiries have been low in number at this stage. We have given appropriate advice on an individual basis when customers have contacted us and will continue to do so.

The safety of our customers is treated with the highest priority and we are confident that the processes we have in place will keep them safe. In the event that customers require additional information and if they have concerns then they can contact us by emailing hello@citywest.org.uk or calling 0300 123 5522 and we will provide further advice.