Routine fire inspections taking place at Havering flats
Residents in Havering Council’s high rise flats are being reassured that fire risk assessments taking place from Tuesday 20 June until Thursday 6 July are pre-planned.
The Council has moved to reassure residents the upcoming checks are routine and not because of any concerns the Council has regarding the blocks.
Deputy Leader of Havering Council and Cabinet Member for Housing, Councillor Damian White, said: “Havering Council has a programme which means that an independent fire risk assessment takes place for all 14 of our high rise flats every two years.
“The last inspection was in 2015 and the assessments taking place over the next two weeks are part of that routine programme and not because we have particular concerns regarding our flats.
“Clearly following the tragic fire at Grenfell Tower we are paying particular attention to fire safety to ensure our residents are as safe as possible and any recommendations arising from these routine checks will be implemented. None of our blocks have been fitted with the cladding used at Grenfell Towers.
“In the meantime we have hand delivered a letter to all residents of the Council’s high rise blocks reminding them not to store anything in communal areas or stair wells where they may cause a hazard during an emergency evacuation.
“Sometimes residents store bicycles or other items on landings or have put planters outside their doors and we are reminding them that these must be removed or our caretakers will remove them to keep escape routes clear in case they are needed.”