Forum Topic

Tower blocks in Brentford - 'Davids' posting

Topic: Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Proposals to Refurbish Brentford Towers Posted by: DavidDate/Time: 15/06/17 12:27:00You can see the letter here:https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B2pkHFqX8vbLQm1MVmlBSjFmLTg/viewI am a resident of one of the towers, and that is a scan of the letter as received.I'd also note:1. That during the consultation I spoke to a representative of the architects involved and was told plainly that an important factor in the the cladding was that Kew Gardens had been denied their World Heritage status due tot he appearance of the Brentford Towers... i.e. that appearance is one of the most (if not the most) important factors.2. The consultation feedback form had questions about "visual improvements and remodelling" having a positive difference to the environment and estate. Note, there was not a single question about whether it would make residents sleep more soundly knowing that the chances they would wake in the morning were much improved.3. In a Twitter exchange with the councillor https://twitter.com/buro9/status/875100051609145344 the existing concrete is referred to as "cladding", but no definition of "cladding" as I understand it would imply that the removal of it exposes the reinforced steel structure, but yet that is what you see in the Brentford TW8 sharing of the letter I received: http://www.brentfordtw8.com/default.asp?section=info&page=towers001.htm&cn=cmVwbHk%3D4. Whilst we do have fire alarms and I test them every month, I doubt others do5. The internal services riser in each quarter of the building, that supplies services to the kitchens and bathrooms, is insufficiently shielded from the kitchen (definitely the case in the 1 bedroom flats, may also be the case in the 2 bedroom flats). It is essentially a thin piece of plywood/plasterboard and not a fire resistant thick piece of MDF or equivalent, and it is not adequately sealed around the piping (in the case of my flat).6. The sealing of the fire doors on communal landings seems insufficient... the doors now close (as a result of a review a couple of years ago), but they do not seal adequately.Even beyond real and present risk, I think people massively underestimate the anxiety this all causes.Every time we hear a siren (and we're next to the A4 and M4, we hear sirens frequently) we wake up terrified that something is happening.This has been the case since the fire in Fraser House in Oct/Nov last year.Residents, and I am one, literally cannot sleep in peace.When I attended a tenants meeting, it was plain to me that the majority of residents have long lost hope, and feel detached and isolated from the decisions that affect them. The constant beating of threats in communications, i.e. letters that say you must do this "and we'd like to remind you non-compliance is a breach of the tenancy agreement and can result in eviction procedures" or the sign in the lift that appeared a few days ago "if you get stuck in a lift do not call emergency services as you may be liable to an almost £300 fine"... this stuff all demoralises, weakens will, kills community spirit.People are frightened, to stay, to sleep, to say anything. And through a process of little communication and it's all been harsh or spin, weakened disenfranchised.Grenfell is horrific, but people are trapped. No-one lives in the Brentford Towers by choice. And every person who lives here has a story of how they got here, and every person carries the marks of those experiences. All these communications, all these processes, should recognise that the people here need help and support, not to be told things. And the people here are scared for the future, they need real reassurance that translates into real action.Give us a sprinkler system at the very least.

Sarah Felstead ● 3154d23 Comments

and ward Councillors are also welcome to attend. Given the serous nature of the meetings it should be compulsory for the ward Councillors to attend, or is Hounslow turning into another non caring  Kensington and Chelsea London Borough Council

Bernard Allen ● 3137d

I also came aware today that one of the planning officers I deal with is spending time volunteering to help the residents of Grenfell Tower. I knew Mary Harpley had a role supporting K&C but hearing one of my regular contacts at a more humble level doing this commanded my respect and appreciation. Working there must be pretty harrowing, even now.

Guy Lambert ● 3139d

This is what we have from the head of housing:Details of the residents’ meetings for tenants and leaseholders living in high-rise blocks across the borough are listed below, and ward councillors are also welcome to attend.The Brentford one is listed as 7pm, 4th July at the Mission Hall.I don't suppose non-residents will be disbarred from attending but I certainly wouldn't encourage them to do so.

Guy Lambert ● 3139d

Thanks Guy, I was about to say this.I'm not sure if other meetings are scheduled I only know about this one.

Patricia Feeney ● 3139d

Guy, can't you make it residents or representatives only?

Sarah Felstead ● 3140d

This is what the call to the meeting saysRESIDENTS MEETINGHounslow Council has organiseda meeting following the concernsresidents may haveFOLLOWING THE TRAGIC EVENTSOF GRENFELL TOWER.As a result we want to give you an updateon the actions we have taken and answerany issues or concerns you may haveWard councillors will attend and if non-residents come I would ask that they defer to the residents - the meeting is for them

Guy Lambert ● 3140d

what is the meetings title?  Does it say who is attending or calling the meeting?

Sarah Felstead ● 3140d

Tuesday 4th July 6.30 Mission square, not sure if it's just for residents of Brentford Towers or particular blocks. But we were told in the last letter from the council that there would be meetings.

Patricia Feeney ● 3140d

Patricia, do you want to put details of the meeting on here in case anyone wants to know about it?

Sarah Felstead ● 3140d

I've been saying almost everything that's been published here on this topic, but only found my way here last night.I would also add to what's been said that yes we are sitting ducks, the fluff and muck that accrues inside the radiators is obscene and difficult to clean out. Didn't fluff add to the Kings Cross Fire?On the subject of rockwool cladding, the media keep saying it's none combustible, but EVERYTHING can burn if a fire is hot enough.But are there any options other than cladding to deal with the concrete fatigue? This along with other concerns has to be addressed at the meeting we've been notified about next week (notice put in lift)

Patricia Feeney ● 3140d

Yes the cladding on Council houses that none of our neighbours wanted about 3-4 years ago

Paul Fisher ● 3146d

It just occurred to me that all the flats in the tower blocks be they in Brentford or wherever generally have some form of intercom system - and they are quite loud within the flats themselves.How much tech would it take to link them to a fire alarm system?If they aslo had the more modern intercom with the small tv screen it could even flash the message "FIRE ALARM" or something similar.

Martin Webb ● 3146d

Going through Hounslow this morning we noticed that some of the office blocks that are being converted into flats were having the cladding removed, and they aren't that high. Also I wonder if Hounslow council has tested the outside insulation it has put on a good many houses?

Vanessa Smith ● 3146d

I think another issue to bear in mind here with any discussion of evacuating a tower block of the size we have, is the sheer number of people in a tower block.By attempting to evacuate you will have somewhere close to 200 people all trying to get down the stairwell.That's a recipe for disaster in itself.I read a personal account from a fireman who entered Grenfell to try and evacuate residents. He said there was no visabilty whatsoever above the 9th floor. he also mentioned that when trying to help someone to get down the stairs he was constantly pushed over, such was the haste of the person to escape.These procedures are in place for a reason.I don't doubt they could be improved and fire drills are common sense - as long as all residents participate. It's near impossible to get many to even answer their front doors.    Add to that the issue of all these people coming down the stairs when firecrews are trying to get up them.As for an air raid siren i think you'll find yourself in trouble for that with the law. As we have a flood warning that sounds like an air raid siren i would think the worry of confusion in the area might make it illegal.

Martin Webb ● 3146d

* There are no fire alarms that could alert the other residents.* There are no sprinklers to ensure the escape route is safe.* There is no fire fighting equipment as we only have a dry riser.My concern now, beyond the risks present, relate to how residents would react to a major incident.Grenfell showed that residents could not be alerted quickly, and that their escape route was inaccessible and thick with smoke, as well as not having sprinklers.Were a major incident to occur the bare minimum today is that one of two things *MUST* exist:* Sprinkler system to keep the communal area and fire escape staircase clear of fire and safe.* An alarm system capable of alerting all residents, with a practised fire escape drill and meeting point.Both of these are relatively cheap to achieve (compared to the cost of other works), but neither could happen overnight.I am quite seriously thinking of going on to eBay and purchasing a WW2 air raid siren, and a motorbike ground locking point to secure it to the ground in the car park. And then putting up notices to inform the residents of it's use, and to perform a fire drill quarterly to ensure people know to pay attention to it and what to do when they hear it.This all goes *AGAINST* the fire safety procedure that the council and fire brigade recommends, which is to stay in the flat and rely on containment features of the building to keep you safe, to not all attempt to escape as you may hinder fire brigade coming into the building.But... that advice and the lack of facilities to alert residents and ensure a safe escape route contributed to the size of the death toll at Grenfell Tower.Honestly, I'd rather be alive and to have pissed someone off than be dead having followed the advice given. I'd rather have the means to alert everyone, than live with the thought someone died who could've lived if they'd been alerted.

David Kirche ● 3147d

I was a resident in Boulton House from 1993 - 2011 (18 years roughly) and in all that time i can honestly say i never received or read anything about an escape plan in the event of a fire or any emergency for that matter.    I do remember hearing something about emergency fire brigade access through the bin rooms - which are located on the opposite side of the blocks to the stairwells - but know of no details.     I never knew of any emergency exit route or assembly points and would have automatically used the stairwell in the event of an emergency.  Things may well of changed since i moved out - i just hope they have.

Martin Webb ● 3152d

Including in the emergency plan should be obtaining tall tower block response equipment.  Maybe some of the developers money being set aside for community use should be drawn towards designing and building and providing such equipment.

Sarah Felstead ● 3153d

In view of K&C's pathetic response to this dreadful event, I think we should be asking if Hounslow - and indeed every local authority, has an emergency plan, which is rehearsed and can swing into action if something does occur. It always used to be the case, but with the constant cuts many will have gone by the wayside.

Vanessa Smith ● 3153d

Would so love to come and form a human chain holding hands around your block whilst you get the chance to ask these questions, face to face, with somebody who can answer you. X

Sarah Felstead ● 3153d

The heating system in the blocks used to be via ducts blowing warm air into each room. The system has changed and now there are radiators in each room but the ducting still exists may be full of all kinds of incendiary rubbish, and possibly mould too. This has never been investigated as a health and safety matter. There are no existing plans to seal off the vents. We are sitting ducks.

KJT ● 3153d

Here is the letter."London Borough / of HounslowCouncillor Katherine DunneLead Member for HousingLondon Borough of HounslowThe Civic CentreLampton RoadHounslowTW3 4DNCllr Katherine DunneDate: 15th June 2017Dear Tenant,Re: Brentford Towers - cladding worksFollowing the tragic events of the fire at Grenfell Tower earlier today, Ithought that Ishould write to you to let you know about our plans for Brentford Towers and reassure you that our priority is to not only improve but also maintain your safety within the tower blocks.As you know, we are at an advanced stage with our plans to re-clad the Brentford Towers. However, in the light of reports that the London Fire Brigade and other regulatory bodies, we will be reviewing the whatever recommendations the London Fire Brigade make in relation to the Grenfell fire, including those relating to insulated cladding systems. In light of this, the Council has decided to consult with the London Fire Brigade Service and other statutory services on the design and specification of our proposals forBrentford Towers, before we agree to proceed. We will of course, continue to engage and consult with you on this process.I also take the opportunity to assure you that all of our High Rise blocks have current up-to-date Fire Risk Assessments and all resulting immediate actions which were identified in these independent assessments were undertaken within the required time frames.The advice from London Fire Brigade for people who live in high rise properties or purpose built flats and maisonettes, aside from having a working smoke alarm and taking fire safety precautions, is to make sure you know your escape plan and what to do ifthere is a fire inside your home or somewhere else in the building.If you wish to discuss this or require additional information please contact us on the telephone numbersbelow: -West AreaTracey Barclay 0208 583 3928 - Vicky Button 0208 583 3989East AreaMisha Patel 0208 583 4015 - Preeti Sidhu 0208 583 6110Yours sincerely,Cllr Katherine DunneLead Member for Housing"

Steve Taylor ● 3154d

Is there still anyone actually believing in refurbishing these poorly built blocks as opposed to pulling them down and starting again - giving the residents a better and safer quality of life.Making mistakes is natural. Protecting mistakes 40 years on is absurd.

Jacob James ● 3154d

Over to you Hounslow...

Phil Andrews ● 3154d