Health & Safety
Asbestos report
An Asbestos Survey reports on the likely locations of asbestos in the communal areas together with any recommendations. Asbestos was not fond to be present in any of the samples taken in the communal areas. Due to its inaccessibility the exterior concrete undercoats (the layer of concrete under tiles at the edge of the roofs) were presumed to contain asbestos. The survey did not include internal areas of individual flats.
Fire Risk and Health and Safety Assessment
Emergency Lighting
The Buildings Regulations 2010 state that it is not necessary to provide escape lighting in small blocks of flats of no more than two storeys, with adequate levels of natural or street lighting (borrowed lighting). If installed, emergency lighting should be tested every month.
Fire Alarms
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (FSO) and the Housing Act 2004 state that in ‘general needs’ blocks designed to support a ‘stay put’ policy, the guide makes it clear that it is unnecessary and undesirable for a communal fire alarm system to be provided. There has never been any requirement under Building Regulations, local acts or bye-laws to install a communal fire alarm system in a purpose-built block of flats, nor is there any such requirement today under the Building Regulations 2010. A communal fire detection and alarm system will inevitably lead to a proliferation of false alarms. This will impose a burden on fire and rescue services and lead to residents ignoring warnings of genuine fires. A fire alarm system ought to be provided only in a building in which some control can be achieved over the occupants to ensure that they respond appropriately. For most blocks of flats, it would be unrealistic to expect this. Nor is it necessarily desirable that evacuation should take place from areas remote from the fire, unless and until these areas themselves become threatened by the fire.
In view of the above, only in unusual circumstances will a communal fire detection and alarm system be appropriate for a ‘general needs’ purpose-built block of flats.
However, where alarms are installed they should be tested on a weekly basis.
There are no fire alarms in Amber Court 1.