Forum Topic

Embarrassed Council blocks Fire Brigade carrying out Fire Risk Assesment

Having approached the good men at Isleworth and Heston Fire Brigade twice, on both occasions they’d agreed to carry out a Fire Risk Assesment  and a date was booked. However this has been blocked twice by the Council. Apparently permission is required ? Seriously ? No Fire Risk Assesment’s have been carried out following the fire last  month in one of the flats in the Victorian built property owned by Hounslow Council since the 1970’s. I’m asking since Grenfell tragedy, why would the Fire Brigade service require permission from the Council to carry out an inspection? Hounslow Council are putting lives at risk by failing in their duty and legal responsibility.

Philippa Auton ● 672d6 Comments

We were very pleased when we had Fire Risk Assessors doing the assessments who were ex-Firemen as many work for these companies.  Yes, the cutting of regulations has been more than very problematic.

Philippa Bond ● 653d

Simple fact is the Fire Brigade or it's current title should be independent and free to do the same as in New York ( as a loose example)They have major input into development proposals relating to access, ability to deal with incidents i.e. fire. and now even the effects of air flow and  vortices from buildings.Their input carries a lot of gravitas and can be decisive on structures being safe in themselves and in their surroundings.Its as independent as possible ( and further reforms to reinforce that from external influence political or commercial are one of the current issues )But here, the emergency services are very much in the pockets of the authorities, and unfortunately fallen into the trap of being politicised too much.Plus the outsourcing of many things like building safety has come about over the past several decades has undermined genuine impartiality. As we see with Ofwat. Faux independence is not much good either.Needs hands on know the job at the cutting face experience and proper technical understanding, which is never respected in this country. More about who you know and network with.

Raymond Havelock ● 667d

It is the owner of the property who is responsible for the carrying out of Fire Risk Assessments and they are usually carried out by Fire Risk Assessors not the Fire Brigade.You should be asking the relevant Councillors.Regulations changed some time ago.

Philippa Bond ● 669d

It's not just Hounslow Council, most London Councils are infected by this culture.It's from the GLA and TfL as much as the national Government.It's rotten to the core - and why we have such issues, which should not exist in the first place.

Raymond Havelock ● 671d

Hounslow Council is so steeped in corruption it has infected the Public funded unionised Emergency services. My thought as to why it can still be allowed to operate is its use as being identified as a warning to others this is what happens when you keep  voting  for Labour councillors. The dire state of the property has been known to Isleworth Cllrs and Council Housing staff for decades. The property like all of Hounslow’s Council Housing is a cash cow - to pay towards pensions. Personally I think all the residential housing stock  should be handed over for £1 to Housing Associations that are independent of Hounslow employees.

Philippa Auton ● 672d

Rather like the Ambulance service being ordered not to object to road obstructions which delay the front line crews.

Raymond Havelock ● 672d