Cladding on Edward Woods Estates Towers Passes Independent Safety Tests
While external panels on Charecroft Estate buildings are to be removed and replaced
There is reassuring news for residents of Edward Woods Estate in Shepherd's Bush, with Hammersmith and Fulham Council announcing that specialist independent tests on the cladding in the estate have now been completed and all three blocks have passed.
As we reported earlier, the cladding on the estat used stone wool insulation, supplied by West London based Rockwool Ltd, which is 'non-combustible'.
The council adds that while no further action in needed in relation to the cladding, it is working with advisors on other things it can do to make the estate, situated east of Westfeld Shopping Centre, as safe as possible.
A meeting was held with residents of the estate on 4 July to discuss fire safety issues. Officers have also been available at the estate's Evergreen Centre and fire wardens have been on patrol around the clock.
There are no other blocks in the borough with cladding. However, the council is also acting on fire safety concerns on the nearby Charecroft Estate, following a fire last year in Shepherd's Court caused by a faulty tumble dryer.
A meeting was residents was held on 6 July and fire marshalls are patrolling the estate. And In a letter to residents of the estate, Cllr Lisa Homan, Cabinet Member for Housing says:" After the fire at Shepherd's Court in August last year, the fire brigade initially said the
design of the building meant there had been 'no rapid fire growth'. They were able to
access water supplies at the top of the building and bring the fire under control quickly.
"Later in February, they did raise concerns about the external panels below your lounge
windows, saying they ‘may have contributed to the external fire spread’. They stopped
short of advising us to remove these panels. Instead they asked us to do further safety
tests on the panels.
"In March this year, we commissioned one of the leading firms of specialist fire safety
consultants to carry out these extra tests. We expect their report in August, when we’ll
have a clearer idea of the risk they pose.
"But initial indications are that they should be replaced, so we have now decided to remove
and replace all the window panels in all four Charecroft blocks.
"This work will take some months to complete. We don’t think we’ll need to put up
scaffolding – the work to remove each panel and replace it with a new one can be done
using 'mast climbers'.
"We are working closely with London Fire Brigade and with our consultants. And the
And the expert view is that there is no need to move you from your home while this work is done."
Cllr Homan adds that plans are already in place to replace all the windows on the Charecroft Estate and the council is working on plans to install sprinklers in all its block.
She concludes:" The fire at Shepherd's Court last year was a horrendous and unnecessary trauma, caused by a faulty tumble dryer. It had a devastating effect on the lives of everyone affected. But the fact that no one was seriously hurt was partly due to the design of the building in containing the spread of the fire.
" I hope this offers you some comfort that your building is very different from Grenfell Tower. But we can’t be complacent. And I hope I’ve been able to give you some answers and reassurance that we’re doing the right things to keep you safe. "
July 10, 2017
June 26, 2017
