WOBO thanks IFSEC GLOBAL to the link to the article by Ron Alalouff.
In the wake of assessments under PAS 9980, the council is investing in substantial fire safety improvements for all of its tower blocks, reports Ron Alalouff.
Following an inspection programme using PAS 9980:2022 – the code of practice for fire risk appraisals of external wall construction and cladding for existing multi-storey residential buildings – Bristol City Council is to spend £96 million on fire safety improvement work on its properties.
The proposals – due to be voted on at a full council meeting on 21 February – include the removal of dangerous cladding and the installation of sprinkler systems and fire alarm systems.
The purpose of appraisals under PAS 9980 is to assess the risk to occupants from fire spreading over or within external walls, and decide whether remediation or other mitigating measures are needed. The council has so far conducted assessments of the external wall system on three blocks in Bristol, which concluded that the presence of Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) elevates the fire safety risk in the buildings.
The total cost of fire safety works is £96 million over the next 10 years, compared to the original £21m previously allocated before the PAS 9980 assessments. The council suffered two fires in high rise blocks over the last few months, in one of which the cladding in the stairwell contributed to the spread of fire.