In March we invited Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service to Kensington Court in Milford Haven, to view the improvements we’ve been making with our contractors Fire Immunity.

The new modifications were described as exemplary in a recent inspection by the Fire Service and aim to make Kensington Court safer for our communities that live there.

Stuart Macdonald, MAWW Business Fire Safety Manager for Pembrokeshire explained:

“For the staff here today, it’s an excellent opportunity to learn what good looks like. For example, historically we have recognised the use of fire resisting foams as one of the methods used to help reduce the spread of fire within buildings. The knowledge shared by the experts in the field here today will assist us moving forward, recognising the limitations of these fire stopping materials and also the correct installation techniques that should be used to ensure a suitable and sufficient fire safety standard is achieved.”

“Today has been really good for both our Fire Safety Officers and Operational Crews to improve our awareness on what techniques are at the forefront of technology and how we should all be aiming to improve the fire safety of our buildings to ensure that our communities are as safe as possible”.

Chris Fitzpatrick FSIDip, Managing Director of Fire Immunity who are working with ateb to make these improvements added: “Fire Immunity are proud to be the principal contractor working in collaboration with ateb Group across properties in Milford Haven and Haverfordwest.”

“We are carrying out extensive works within residential flats and communal areas to ensure the passive fire protection is of the highest standard. These particularly challenging live building works consist of fire rated glazing systems, drylining, ductwork and damper installations, passive fire and active fire protection and decoration.”

The work covers 5 stages,

1. Fire Alarm extensions

2. Sprinkler extensions

3. Fire Stopping

4. Cladding

5. Evacuation Lifts

with the aim to have the Fire Stopping phase of work completed by the end of September before starting the Cladding.

Ian Whitby, ateb’s Compliance Inspector (Fire Safety) added a huge thank you to ateb’s customers who have recognised the challenges this breadth of work poses, and complimented customers patience and understanding:

“In order for things to be done efficiently and smoothly customers have switched apartments, sometimes for over a week whilst our teams have been busy making changes in their homes. It hasn’t been easy, but everyone has been really supportive, patient and helpful – it makes such a big difference so a huge thank you to everyone impacted.”

Phil Owen, atebs new Major Works Project Manager added: “We invited the Fire Service in to look at good practice, and we are pleased they were able to join us today.”

“It’s also great to learn that they intend to share some of the things seen and learned today at their next CPD seminar event later in the year with other Business Fire Safety Staff across the MAWW Fire and Rescue Service, currently there are around 60. It’s also important that we look at what we are doing at ateb, and making sure future developments also incorporate some of the newer technologies that ensure our homes are even safer”.

Work is also due to start on De Clare Court in Haverfordwest very soon and following their excellent workmanship in Kensington Court, we look forward to welcoming back Fire Immunity for this second project. For more information on Fire Immunity and the techniques they use visit their website.

Published: 05/04/24