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Around-the-clock fire wardens are being introduced to the majority of Bristol's high-rise tower blocks as a response to fire safety information from the Fire Service and extensive surveys.
The measures mean that the council is currently replacing or will be replacing the EPS cladding on all of its EPS clad buildings, with a more sustainable rock-based cladding being applied instead. The new measures are precautionary in nature and their purpose is to reassure high-rise residents while cladding works are planned, prepared and completed.
While works have already been underway for some time to remove older cladding from some buildings this work will now be accelerated so that a longer-lasting cladding that requires less-maintenance can be retro-fitted, to about two-thirds of the council's blocks. While the works are carried out the 24/7 fire safety patrols by fully trained fire wardens, sometimes known as a waking watch, will help keep the buildings safe.
The Council will be communicating with all affected tenants with fire safety evacuation changes and intend to follow this up with a letter explaining the changes. It will also be communicating with all residents of high-rise blocks, as we did after the Twinnell House fire, regardless of type of cladding used, to remind them of the fire safety guidance for their block.
Councillor Tom Renhard, Cabinet Member for Housing Delivery and Homes said: "While I understand this could be a concern for high-rise residents, I want to reassure them that these measures are precautionary only. They show an abundance of caution on our part as I want to be confident that our blocks are safe.
"The programme of new measures and the works that will take place in coming months should reassure our residents that we are putting wellbeing first.
"I’ve also written to National government to request that they step up their level of support for local authorities across the UK, and not just in Bristol, as similar fire safety patrols may need to be implemented in other parts of the UK too."
