Evacuation strategy
This building was designed to utilise, and should, operate a ‘stay put’ evacuation strategy. A ‘stay put’ policy involves the following approach, as outlined in Approved Document B 2022; When a fire occurs within a flat, the occupants alert others in the flat if the alarm has not already sounded, make their way out of the building and summon the fire and rescue service. If a fire starts in the common parts, anyone in these areas makes their way out of the building and summons the fire and rescue service. All other residents not directly affected by the fire would be expected to ‘stay put’ and remain in their flat unless they become affected by the fire, are directed to leave by the fire and rescue service or choose to leave. Any ancillary spaces, although individual rooms, effectively operate a simultaneous evacuation strategy where any occupants would evacuate the space upon discovering or becoming aware of a fire.

Risk Assessment

Survey Type	Date completed	Risk Rating
Type 4 Fire Risk Assessment	22/02/2024	Medium Risk
Risk Matrix	22/02/2024	Medium Risk
Registration Number:	02/08/2023	HRB05529P0F5

Building safety strategy
Coming soon.

Contact information

• Scott Barnett (Assistant Director of Building Safety): Accountable person
• Toyosi Agosa (Building Safety Manager):  [email protected]
• Valery Chu (Regional Property Manager): [email protected]
  

Building description
A purpose built, high-rise, residential building of twenty-two floors comprising of eighty-two, individual, self-contained flats. The communal block entrance door leads into an entrance hallway providing access to the lift lobby and cleaner’s store, there is also a door and a communication hatch leading into the security/concierge room consisting of an office, kitchenette, store cupboard and access to the water tank room.

Construction type
The building structure comprised reinforced concrete floor slabs supported onto reinforced concrete columns and walls with external masonry infill panels. Building has a pitched roof supported by steel frame, which in turn is supported by the reinforced concrete frame.

Floor construction type
Concrete

Stair construction type and details
There is one concrete stairwell serving all floors in the building which is a full height stair core which is located at the rear of the communal area of each landing, it extends from ground level through to top floor level where and is treated as a firefighting stair, the stair discharges into fresh air at the rear of the building.

External wall systems
The EWS1 rating of this building is B2, remedial works are required.

It was identified in the external wall analysis that combustible materials are present in external wall types EW02 and EW03.

EW01 is the brick slip external wall system found across the ground levels of the building and is constructed as follows (external–internal): 100mm brick slip, Blockwork Substrate.

EW02 is the ETIC system and is constructed as follows (external–internal): 7mm render, 90mm Mineral wool layer, Blockwork (approximately 100mm), 40mm cavity and then further concrete substrate.

EW03 is the weathered wall system covering the North/ South risers and is constructed as follows (external – internal): CP board, 90mm Mineral wool layer, Blockwork (approximately 200mm), 40mm cavity and then further concrete substrate.

Height of uppermost occupied story
60m

Flood risk
Medium risk – Surface water flooding is sometimes known as flash flooding. It happens when rainwater cannot drain away through normal drainage systems. Flooding from groundwater is unlikely in this area. There is a risk of flooding from reservoirs in this area.

Utility services

Calling the National Gas Emergency Service number on 0800 111 999* is an important step when you suspect a gas leak. The number operates 24/7 and is free to call.

If you’re a user of British Sign Language (BSL) you can call the National Gas Emergency number using the SignLive service. This service gives you access to an online interpreter enabling, you to communicate with National gas using sign language.

Electric power cut – call 105 or 0800 6783 105, if you are hard of hearing or deaf dial 18001 before each number and a text relay operator will join the call.

Fire prevention measures
There is manually openable casement windows provided within the stairway and the adjacent flat entrance lobby on each of the upper-floor levels within the building. A permanent vent is provided at the head of the stairway. The flat entrance lobbies on the upper floors have a mechanical ventilation shaft with fixed louvre style grilles provided within each of the lobbies. The ventilation shaft appears to discharge via ducting, through the roof space direct to open-air.

There is a sprinkler system which covers the bin store area only.

Within flats assessed, it was generally noted that Grade D LD3 AFD systems were provided, however, in some cases the detector had been removed by residents, and in most cases no heat detectors were present within kitchen areas, these have been Identified as remedial actions.

A BS 5839-1 L5 detection and alarm system is installed within the communal areas, with detection being fitted within the ground floor communal areas, service/plant rooms, ventilation shaft, roof void and within the residential lobbies on each level. As this is a high-rise property, Riverside have taken the action to minimise the risk using the L5 system as this is a building which possesses exceptional hazards due to its size and proximity to other buildings. L5 detection added to stairwells. Not linked to AOVs as these are manual opening (due to be upgraded 2025). Alarm sounders in communal areas not linked to an ARC system.

Relevant documentation

• EWS1