After the tragic tower block fire at Grenfell House in Kensington, the Royal Borough of Greenwich is reassuring tenants and residents that all its buildings comply with fire safety regulations.

Risk assessments carried out annually

Within Royal Greenwich there are 93 high rise blocks, six of which are 24 storeys high. The six 24 storey blocks have external cladding.

All the 93 high rise blocks are fire risk assessed annually and all have current fire risk assessments with the exception of two blocks in John Wilson Street which have interim risk assessments, as they are currently undergoing major refurbishment. The fire risk assessments for the two John Wilson Street blocks will be updated immediately following the completion of the refurbishment works.

Following suggested fire safety guidance

The London Fire Brigade guidance to local authorities is to maintain a 'Stay Put' Policy for residents in high-rise blocks. The Royal Borough has followed the London Fire Brigade guidance in respect of all 93 blocks.

We are carrying out additional checks on the cladding materials used for external wall insulation on eleven of our high rise blocks. So far, we have confirmed that the materials used in five of the blocks meet the 'Class 0' fire safety standard, relating to the spread of flame across a surface meaning that it protects the surface from the spread of flames and limits the amount of heat released from the surface during a fire.

Undertaking precautionary checks

Fire Safety Risk Officers are undertaking precautionary checks and inspections at the six 24 storey tower blocks to ensure that all common escape routes are safe in terms of obstructions, fire loading and doors operating correctly. These checks will have been completed by the end of the day.

In addition, our caretaking staff have been instructed to inspect all of these blocks over the next couple of days to ensure that there are no obstructions or any other issues that require attention.

Working closely with the London Fire Brigade

The Royal Borough of Greenwich takes fire safety for tenants and all of its residents extremely seriously and we have worked hand-in-hand with the London Fire Brigade on a comprehensive fire upgrade programme for our high rise blocks to ensure that they meet current health and safety standards.

We remain in close contact with the London Fire Brigade Enforcement Team Leader to obtain any initial findings after the tragic incident in Kensington and to establish if the London Fire Brigade are intending to issue any revised guidance, especially in relation to evacuation policy, for high rise buildings which are externally clad.