Further Consideration To Be Given Over Evacuation Issues In Tower Blocks

The Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) confirmed that further consideration is being given to evacuation issues and the Stay-Put policy guideline in tower block following the Grenfell tragedy.

Ulster Unionist Councillor Jeff Dudgeon recently attended a meeting to hear a preliminary outline of the NIHE independent review on tower blocks.

He said: "The NIHE has 33 blocks with over 1,500 housing units, some privately owned. Four have cladding, with the fourth only half completed, being on hold since the Grenfell tragedy. Two different types of cladding are in use here, both believed to be of a higher non-combustible standard than many used in England.


"The meeting was addressed by Professor Alistair Adair, deputy Vice-Chancellor of Ulster University who has agreed to be the independent chair of the NIHE Tower Block Reference Group. Their final report will be issued in early January but some of the ten likely recommendations include consideration by the NIHE of installing sprinkler systems, the use only of non-combustible cladding, and considerable tenant involvement in information campaigns about safety and evacuation. Bespoke leaflets for each block on alarm types and their use in emergency will be arranged. Individual resident risk -profiles will form part of this."

(CD/LM)