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Kier tackles the burning issue

23/07/2010

Alexander House where the exercise took place

In an effort to improve the safety of residents in high-rise accommodation across Merseyside, Kier Building Maintenance (KBM) Sefton has teamed up with One Vision Housing and Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service (MF&RS) to train officers how to tackle high-rise fires.

Fire safety is a serious issue for all households and of particular concern for residents and landlords of high-rise flats.

KBM Sefton organised a fire safety exercise at the vacated 15-storey Alexander House in Kings Park, Sefton allowing the fire and rescue team to practise procedures in tackling this particular type of fire.
Safety and health in the environment advisor for KBM Sefton, Melanie Priestly, said: “As well as providing a fantastic opportunity to improve safety for tenants, the exercise is also an excellent example of best practice for other registered providers in the country. The building replicated conditions of recent high-rise fires and is the first opportunity the local fire service has had to practice in such realistic conditions gaining invaluable experience.”

In July 2009, six people died in a fire at the 12-storey Lakanal House in Camberwell, south London. The fire exercise at Alexander House simulated traits of the Camberwell fire, such as the way the fire skipped floors and spread in an unpredictable manner. The realistic training exercise gave firefighters the opportunity to practice their procedures in a typical high-rise block.

MF&RS watch manager Mick Currin, who helped to co-ordinate the exercise, said: “We are extremely grateful to KBM Sefton and One Vision Housing for offering us this opportunity. This sort of training is as close to the real thing as we can get and it was an excellent opportunity to test our procedures.”

One Vision Housing operational director of assets and investment, Gordon Ronald, added: “We have been working in partnership with MF&RS to work on a priceless exercise to improve safety for our tenants. To have the opportunity to stage something of this magnitude is fantastic for the organisation and it also makes sense that we continue to work closely with the fire service.”

For more information contact: Mary Brothwood mary.brothwood@kier.co.uk

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