• THE type of solutions to the recent fire currently being considered, including fitting sprinklers, replacing the cladding, or even demolition, will take a lot of time and money.

It may well be necessary to put some interim measures in place to give the tenants the safety and reassurance they need and deserve.

Some options are as follows:

• Recruit fire wardens to keep watch by cctv etc to raise early warning of fire and ensure that means of escape are available and not obstructed.

• Where tenants’ associations don’t exist they should be set up to identify concerns and develop self-help measures such as ensuring more able tenants are aware of the existence of less mobile tenants and are prepared to help them in emergencies.

• Ensure a viable evacuation plan is devised then hold fire drills.

• Consider the provision of equipment similar to the “self-rescue equipment” used by miners.

• Consider measures to limit ingress of smoke into escape stairs.

There are doubtless many other low-cost, quick-fix, options which could be devised in discussions between various informed groups such as workplace fire wardens, disability advisers etc.

ERIC FINLAYSON
BSc, C Eng, Mice