- Southern Housing Group appoints Wates for Reading cladding contract
- Tougher sprinkler rules needed - councils and fire authorities urge
- Outdated building regulations and guidance fail to deliver fire safety
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Posted 18.03.19
Wates Living Space: Article link
Affordable housing maintenance provider, Wates Living Space, has been appointed to install a new cladding system at Southern Housing Group's St Lawrence House in Reading.
The contract, valued at approximately £1.8 million, includes the removal of the existing cladding and insulation from the eight-storey building, and the installation of a new A2 cladding system with new insulation.
Wates' appointment follows a comprehensive fire safety testing process at St Lawrence House, which resulted in a proposed new cladding system that has been fully approved by Reading Borough Council's Building Control team.
The contract adds to Wates Living Space's existing work on behalf of the Group. This also includes a five-year responsive repairs and void refurbishment programme across 3,759 properties in Greater London.
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Posted 12.03.19
Local Goverment Association: Article link
Tougher sprinkler rules must be introduced to ensure fire safety in high-rise buildings and care homes, the Local Government Association (LGA) urged at its annual fire conference.
The LGA is calling for the height threshold at which automatic fire suppression systems, such as sprinklers, are required in new residential buildings in England to be lowered to 18 metres - down from the current 30-metre/10-storey limit.
It is also urging the Government to require automatic fire suppression systems, such as sprinklers, to be installed in all new premises where vulnerable people sleep, including care homes and residential schools.
The LGA, which represents 370 councils and all fire and rescue authorities in England, is further calling for the same standards to be applied to existing buildings.
It says these measures will provide increased safety protection and reassurance to more people and have been proved to be effective.
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Posted 06.03.19
RIBA: Article link
The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has submitted evidence to the government's technical consultation on Approved Document B, the building regulations guidance in England that covers fire safety matters within and around buildings.
In its response, the RIBA has reiterated its key recommendations for minimum prescriptive requirements to provide clarity for industry and most importantly, save lives, being:
