Fire Safety Statement

Alumasc Façade Systems & Low Rise Fire Performance: Alumasc system specifications that are issued for ‘low rise’ buildings, (i.e. buildings less than 18m in height), have been tested for adherence to the Building Regulations pertaining to fire. All Alumasc specifications have:
• A rating of Class 0 to ‘BS 476-7: 1997 Fire tests on building materials and structures; Method for classification of the surface spread of flame of products’ and/or a classification in accordance with ‘BS 13501-1 Fire Classification of Construction Products and Building Elements’ of B-s2,d0 or better;
Or
• Been tested to ‘BR135 Fire Performance of External Thermal Insulation for walls of Multi-storey Buildings’ unless classified as non-combustible (minimum A2-s1,d0) according to ‘BS 13501-1 Fire Classification of Construction Products and Building Elements’.
As such, Alumasc specifications comply with the requirements of the Building Regulations pertaining to fire.

SPS external wall insulation systems: SPS Envirowall external wall insulation systems are fundamentally different from the ACM cassette rain screen cladding system which appears to have been used at Grenfell Tower fire in London. Where required, the SPS Envirowall systems have undergone full scale fire tests. SPS Envirowall as well as organisations such as Building Research Establishment and Warrington Fire Research are familiar with how External Wall Insulation system generally perform in relation to fire and as such do not present a threat to the occupants within buildings clad with our systems. Over the many years these systems have been used, there have been incidences of fires in individual flats where Permarock and other similar external wall insulation system have been applied. It is our understanding that in each case fire damage to the cladding has been limited to the localised area of the fire, which is reflective of what occurs when we carry out a full scale test of our system. In summary, in both tests and actual fires, from our experience the fire does not spread across the building and damage is localised to the immediate source of the fire.

SSE Energy Solutions: SSE’s Energy Solutions has contacted its contractors and External Wall Insulation system designers to reconfirm that all of the products installed are manufactured and certified to the appropriate safety standards. Also we are asking the same parties to reconfirm that the installations have been completed to the required safety standards. SSE Energy Solutions works with Contractors and External Wall Insulation system designers throughout all stages of a contract to ensure that appropriate products are installed in a safe and compliant manner. Early indications are that it was a Rainscreen Cladding system installed at Grenfell Tower and not External Wall Insulation. SSE Energy Solutions has not carried out any projects using Rain Screen Cladding systems for any of its clients.

We do not carry out daily patrols in our housing stock. We carry out less frequent inspections, (usually monthly), with our local staff identifying and acting on any health and safety issue. This includes any fire risk, which include asking residents to move any items that are blocking a means of escape, (bicycles, buggies, washing machines etc.). These checks are supplemented by annual inspections by our technical staff and routine maintenance on all fire-fighting equipment. We will continue with this regime of regular patrols and inspections; however we urge all of our residents to have their own fire escape plan.

Wherever you are, it’s important that you and your family know how to escape if there’s a fire. It doesn’t take long to make an escape plan and it could save lives, especially if you check and practice your plan regularly. Think about:-
• Who’s usually at home?
• How will they know there’s a fire?
• If there are children, who will help them?
• If there are elderly people, who will tell them there’s a fire and who will help them?
• If there are people who can’t see, hear or move around easily, who will help them?
• Where can you set up a safe meeting place away from the property?

Plan A: The first choice route of escape is always through the main door. Make sure you close it once everyone is out.

Plan B: If it’s not safe to leave by the main door, how else could you escape?
• Is there another door you could use or a fire escape?
• Could you climb out of a ground floor window?
• Could you climb out of a first floor window onto a garage roof or extension and get down safely?

If Plan A or B are not safe, you might need to find somewhere to stay safe and await rescue. Make sure everything is ready so that you can:
• Go to a room with a phone and a window that opens
• Pack clothes and blankets around the door to keep smoke out
• Stay by the window and shout for help

As a family, or better still within your close or block, practice your emergency escape plan together. Practicing your plan in advance will help everyone to stay calm if there is a fire. It will also help you get to safety more quickly.

All our tenants can request a free Home Fire Safety Visit from Scottish Fire and Rescue. A Home Fire Safety Visit only takes around 20 minutes and that 20 minutes might just save your life.

Visits are easy to arrange, and can be organised at a time that suits you. They will help you to sort out a fire escape plan and fit smoke alarms free of charge if your home requires them.

To book your free Home Fire Safety Visit for you or someone you know:
CALL 0800 0731 999 TEXT ‘CHECK’ to 61611 or VISIT http://www.firescotland.gov.uk

Anyone with any questions or concerns, then please contact us:-
Download our app: Visit http://www.thenuehousing.co.uk/Uploads/2017/02/13/EaC7wWjX_app_leaflet.pdf for our Self Service app leaflet which will give more details on how to download the App on to your device and then register
E-mail: admin@thenuehousing.co.uk
Telephone: 0141 5503501
Visit us at: 423 London Road, Glasgow. G40 1AG
or complete an on-line form by visiting http://www.thenuehousing.co.uk/mail/contact.php