WOBO thanks SHP for the Canary Wharf update.

The London Fire Brigade (LFB) raised concerns that the skyscraper’s design meant residents would not have the adequate means of escape should an emergency occur.

The developer claims its schemes were all built in line with safety standards. Under the plans, the skyscraper, set to be called Cuba Street, will be one of the tallest buildings in the area.

The scheme was initially approved by Tower Hamlets councillors, but the planning meeting was cancelled after last-minute intervention by LFB.

A spokesperson for LFB said: “We do have concerns that the design submitted does not provide suitable and convenient means of escape and associated evacuation strategy for all building users.”

The brigade also highlighted that, in properties with a single staircase, a developer would be expected to demonstrate “resilience” of a building in the event of a fire, which had not been done in this case.

Developer, Ballymore, says it had been asked for information which it could not provide at such short notice, but the scheme had only been put on hold and not cancelled.

A spokesperson for Ballymore comments: “We are more than happy to provide that clarification and will continue to work closely with the LFB and local authority towards presenting the scheme for planning approval in due course.”

In a statement, Tower Hamlets Justice for Leaseholders, says that it considered the move to be a “sign of the start of a new era in fire safety.”

Secretary of the Tall Building Fire Safety Network, Russ Timpson, says: “In my opinion, you have to build resilience.

“You have to have a plan A and a plan B because if stay put doesn’t work, a simultaneous evacuation is an almost impossible challenge with a single staircase. Around the world, firefighters talk about having one escape stair and one attack stair.”  Read more…

Construction of Canary Wharf skyscraper halted over fire safety concerns