2017 Review
After the Grenfell disaster, we called for a local review of fire safety in our buildings. Also, those owned by our partner Together Housing and more widely. The review was supported by Together Housing and the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service:
Since the review was published, with our partners we have:
- Appointed a Fire Safety Officer. They give advice, recommend on fire safety and carry out regular audits in our buildings. Concerns are followed up with remedial works where needed.
- Invested £250,000 to address fire and health & safety issues in our buildings.
- Installed sprinkler systems in children's homes/respite centres.
- Council staff and partners:
- Have fire safety training.
- Fire safety events have been held for care homes, supported living providers and schools.
- Together Housing:
- Removed Aluminium Composite Material (ACM) cladding from its apartment blocks across Calderdale.
- Replaced over 1,000 fire rated doors.
- Raised awareness with residents on how to carry out their own fire safety checks.
- West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service:
- Carried out consultations with landlords about evacuation procedures for high-rise blocks.
- Work with Together Housing to tackle hoarding by people, where it could be a fire risk.
2022 Review Update
Recommended in the update:
- Embed fire risk assessments into care assessments and planning.
- Provide sprinkler systems in all newly built schools and major extensions or refurbishments.
- Continue the rolling programme of assessments of all property used by the Council.
- Work with private landlords to improve fire safety in their premises.
- Make sure all new private rented lets have adequate smoke and carbon monoxide alarms fitted and working.
- Offer training to private landlords and letting agencies to help them understand their roles and responsibilities in maintaining fire safety.
- Discuss fire safety when the Council works with vulnerable people and make referrals to the fire service, if needed.
Updates since the 2022 was published
- Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations 2022. This came into force on 1st October 2022 and requests that:
- "A carbon monoxide alarm is equipped in any room used as living accommodation which contains a fixed combustion appliance." (This excludes gas cookers).
- Building Safety Act. Granted Royal Assent in April 2022.
- Grenfell Inquiry Phase 2. This ended on 10th November 2022 and the Inquiry panel is preparing the final report.
- A guide to making your small paying guest accommodation safe from fire (GOV.UK 2023). Simple and practical advice for fire safety in small, short term lets. This includes bed and breakfasts, guest houses and self-catering accommodation. It has recommendations to support the application of fire safety legislation and has advice about fire safety risk assessments.