Fire safety improvements completed at supported living block
Fire safety measures at a block of supported living flats have received a major upgrade.
Work at the scheme in Dawley, Telford, began almost 12 months ago after The Wrekin Housing Group carried out a fire safety inspection which highlighted a number of areas for improvement.
With work now completed at the block, managed by care provider Creative Support, the Group has thanked the residents, support workers and partner organisations for ensuring the smooth running of the project.
Stewart Holloway, Compliance and Delivery Manager, said: “I carried out a fire risk assessment last April and identified a number of areas where we needed to improve things for the safety of the residents and to be able to manage that building appropriately.
“We also established that there were a number of procedural things that needed to be adapted and updated.”
What followed was a huge team effort involving Wrekin’s Resident Safety Technicians and Mechanical and Electrical Team, along with teams from Fire Management Ltd, Churches Fire Security Ltd and Chiptech.
Work was carried out to the fire doors, along with fire stopping works and upgrades to the communal fire alarm system.
Meanwhile new digital alarms were installed in each flat, which link to an app which alerts the support staff when one alarm goes off – without the need for the entire block to evacuate.
Mr Holloway said: “The completion of this work enabled a change in the evacuation procedures for residents and staff at Creative Support to now adopt a stay put strategy, meaning the residents will no longer be required to all fully evacuate the building and stand outside in the rain and cold.
“Every individual and contractor involved worked really hard to ensure the disruption to the residents and staff was kept to a minimum and the day-to-day operations were not significantly affected by this work.
“The residents were engaging and friendly and the Creative Support staff were very amenable and supportive throughout.
“From spending time at this building over the last 12 months, it was clearly evident what an incredible job the Creative support team do in what can be a challenging environment at times.
“They do an amazing job of caring and supporting the residents and create a happy, safe and secure environment for them to live in and are a credit to their organisation.”
The project represents a significant investment to bring the block in line with the Wrekin’s other independent living schemes, and demonstrates the organisation’s commitment to the safety of its customers.
13th March 2025