Witnesses:
Steve Burnell, Surrey Fire and Rescue Service
Group Commander
Declarations of
interest:
None
Key points raised
during the discussion:
- The Committee
received a presentation from the Surrey Fire and Rescue Service on
the implications of the Grenfell Tower disaster, providing members
with an information update on SFRS support and response as a result
of this tragedy.
- Using Gibson Court in
Hinchley Wood as an example, officers
explained how SFRS had contributed to improvements in fire safety
in large residential buildings. Gibson Court was destroyed by fire
in 2011 but was rebuilt with advice from SFRS. Once the building
was finished SFRS also assessed the building to ensure that it
could be occupied safely.
- The Officer explained
that Fire Safety Orders did not permit fire and rescue services to
enforce fire safety in private dwellings although Community Safety
teams did provide engagement and influence in this
area.
- Members requested
further information on the processes in place for relinquishing
control of a scene once the fire had been extinguished. They were
informed that fire officers would remain on site until handover
where there was a potential danger and risk to the public.
Extending this period was difficult as SFRS had to be ready to
respond to other emergencies.
- Officers stated that
buildings were classed as high rise if they were over 18metres tall
or if they had more six floors or more. At the time of the meeting,
there were 83 high rise buildings in Surrey. It was further stated
that SFRS had vehicles capable of reaching 43 metres to tackle a
blaze and that Surrey had one of the highest firefighting platforms
nationally.
- Discussions turned to
the issue of compartmentation where buildings are sub-divided by
design in order to restrict the spread of fire. Members expressed
concern that there was lack of awareness about compartmentation.
Officers acknowledged that compartmentation was complex but assured
the Committee that compartmentation was well-known within the
construction industry. SFRS would, however, add informative
material to their website in order to provide additional
information to the public on compartmentation. The Committee was
further information that the Regulatory Fire Safety Order places a
duty on owners to carry out a risk assessment of their
building/premises, including compartmentation, and to act on any
issues identified within the risk assessment.
- Members asked whether
SFRS had experienced an increase in call outs involving white
goods. Officers advised the Committee that this was not the case
any misconception relating to this was caused by social media,
publicising stories highlighting stories on white goods causing
fires.
- It was noted that
significant work was taking place within SFRS to promote the
installation of sprinklers within a private dwelling as a means of
reducing fatalities arising from fires.
There was no requirement on home owners to have fire extinguishers
or blankets located within their property.
- Members registered
concerns in regard to the ‘stay put’ policy and queried
which buildings this applied to in Surrey. It was noted that this
information could be found on SFRS’s website and the service
were open to having discussions with occupiers how to plan going
forward.
Recommendations:
The Committee notes the update
and reports accordingly to the Overview and Budget Scrutiny
Committee.