Southampton City Council has a total of 21 high rise buildings. These now fall under the Building Safety Act 2022, which is a direct result of Dame Judith Hacket Report for Building a Safer Future – Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety: Final Report which resulted from the tragic events at Grenfell Tower on 14 June 2017.
In compliance with the Building Safety Act 2022, there needs to be special fire safety and structural provisions for buildings which are set at 18m or seven floors.
Relevant legislation and updates
Southampton City Council is committed to full compliance with legislation which governs fire safety.
These regulations include:
Compliance with the Building Safety Act 2022
The following is to be completed:
- Provide building safety case for each high rise building
- Ensure the structure of the building is sound and will not promote fire spread or cause a structural collapse
- Provide a golden thread of information cycle for the building
You can find an explanatory document at Understanding Your Building Safety Case, as well as on our fire safety in your home document and our fire safety guidance.
The main point of the Building Safety Case is as follows:
What is a Building Safety Case?
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The safety case report is a document that stipulates all the building facets that keep it safe, such as structural and fire reports. It identifies the building's safety risks and explains how the risks are being addressed and managed. Building safety risks are that which cause the fire to spread or structural failure in the high rise residential building.
Why we need a Building Safety Case
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Safety Cases are required by law under the Building Safety Act 2022 for our buildings which are above 18 metres or 7 floors. It’s a document that states the measures we have in place already, and ones we need to establish in order to ensure the building is protected against fire and structural risks.
Who checks the Building Safety Case?
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Southampton City Council’s Safety Cases are submitted to the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) who are part of the Health and Safety Executive. They examine Safety Case Reports to ensure they are up to standard and the main structural and fire risks have been considered and mitigated as far as possible. These safety cases are called in by BSR and SCC are required to submit within 28 days.
Looking at the structure
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Structural surveys are completed on the buildings. This is to ascertain the internal condition of the structure including walls, stairs, and ceilings. Any issues identified are placed on an action tracker for works.
We also perform external building assessments. This looks at the features of the main structure and anything connected to it to see if there are any possible issues which could cause a fire or allow it to spread up the face of the building. This also includes balcony areas.
Checking internal areas
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We perform assessments and reactive works in communal areas as well as properties. This is to ensure there are no gaps where fire and smoke could spread. This is especially important around pipes that enter the property or any drilling that takes place.
Engaging with residents
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We need to demonstrate we have set up a communication path where residents can both raise concerns and have their voice listened to by the Council. It's important we engage with residents in our work, and you can raise concerns about your building. If you would like to get further involved, please visit the Building safety group website.
Building maintenance and golden thread of information
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As well as structural and fire reports we must also demonstrate to the regulator that maintenance is being conducted on the building. This includes fire alarms, sprinklers, smoke control and other life protection systems. This forms part of our golden thread of information cycle which comprises of two parts: i) Building work and; ii) Maintenance. This ensures that any modifications or enhancements to the building are accurately documented and enables SCC to proactively identify potential risks or hazards and take corrective action.
Questions about fire safety, evacuation procedures and inspections
We are currently visiting all buildings to provide the residents with fire safety information. This includes:
- A summary of a fire risk assessment which details what has been identified as a risk to what the council is doing to mitigate to keep residents safe
- Evacuation procedures and fire door information
The residents engagement strategy has also been updated to reflect the procedures for high rise buildings:
Has the council reviewed its fire evacuation procedures, and building fire risk assessments (FRAs) in the wake of the Grenfell Towers tragedy?
SHOW
All of our tower blocks have up-to-date Fire Risk Assessments (FRAs). We have reviewed these and have undertaken a series of inspections with Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire Rescue Service to ensure our safety measures and procedures are appropriate.
The ‘Stay Put’ policy remains the best one in case of a fire in your building– if the fire is in your own, or an immediate neighbour’s flat, get out, shut your front door and phone the fire service. If the fire is in another flat then stay put, close your windows and doors; if you need to leave the building, then the emergency services will tell you what you have to do.
How often are council housing properties inspected for their fire safety?
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Our high rise blocks are fire risk assessed yearly by our independent fire safety assessor - Tersus Consultancy Ltd.
The following fire safety checks are carried out in all of our tower blocks:
- Fire door inspections are undertaken in line with the fire safety legislation
- Dry risers are tested/checked every six months
- Smoke extraction systems
- Fire alarms are tested/serviced every six months
- Emergency lighting is checked monthly
- Wardens also carry out additional regular checks of various fire safety control measures e.g. emergency lighting, fire doors, escape routes (in corridors/stairwells). These checks are recorded
- Fire safety information is regularly included in Tenants' Link, the online tenants’ publication. Sign up for Tenants' Link
- Housing works closely with Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service, including involvement in major projects like planned sprinkler installation.
My lifts don’t work and I am elderly/disabled. How do I evacuate in case of fire if I cannot go down stairs?
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In the event of a fire, lifts should not be used. If your lift is not working, please report it immediately to our Repairs Service on 023 8083 3006 or on our report a repair page.
Why don’t we have any fire evacuation signs or smoke alarms in the communal area? What fire safety measures are already installed in housing properties?
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Our regular Fire Risk Assessments (FRAs) should identify where additional signage is required. The FRA looks to assess the risks associated with the building in the event of a fire and identify suitable measures to address these. Measures introduced are therefore specific to the block and situation present, not a generic solution to be applied across all housing stock.
Emergency fire exits cannot be opened from the outside and have a simple push bar to open on the inside. In the event of a fire, the automatic entrance door is overridden and these doors are open.
Why do some tower blocks only have one evacuation staircase?
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The following tower blocks have one evacuation stairwell: Canberra Towers, Millbrook Towers, Redbridge Towers, Albion Towers, Shirley Towers, Sturminster House, Castle House, St James House, Canute House and Holyrood House. These blocks only have one stairwell as that was the original design which met the requirements at the time of construction.
The ‘Stay Put’ policy is the best one in the event of fire in your building – if the fire is in your own, or a neighbour’s flat, get out, shut your front door and phone the Fire Service. If the fire is in another flat then stay put, close your windows and doors; if you need to leave the building, then the Emergency Services will tell you what you have to do. The design of the blocks is such that flats are designed to stop fire spreading.
Why don’t we hear the fire alarms in our property?
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The fire service need to gain access to the building as quickly as they can to extinguish any fire – a fire alarm would mean that everyone would evacuate simultaneously, potentially impeding the Fire Service access as well as creating a hazard for those exiting the building.
We have the Stay Put policy as this is the safest for residents – if the fire is in your own, or a neighbour’s flat, get out, shut your front door and phone the fire service. If the fire is in another flat then stay put, close your windows and doors, if you need to leave the building then the emergency services will tell you what you have to do.
Other fire safety concerns
Should I be concerned about leaky or draughty windows in our building compromising its ability to contain a fire?
SHOW
No. The structure of our tower block flats is designed to afford a high level of protection in the event of a fire and to contain the fire in the flat where it started, long enough for the fire brigade to attend and act; however, the windows are not designed to contain fire.
The External Wall Insulation (EWI) systems present on our tower blocks are non-combustible mineral-based materials with a concrete render and have a high level of fire protection to minimise the spread of fire.
My tower block has gas cookers. Should I be concerned about them as a fire hazard?
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Twelve of our tower blocks have gas supply. The safe installation and maintenance of gas supply in any building is something that we and the gas distribution networks treat with the utmost of seriousness, ensuring that they are compliant with all relevant technical and safety regulations to maintain public safety.
The safety performance of gas supply companies is closely monitored by the energy regulator OFGEM and the Health and Safety Executive. We also carry out our own annual checks.
Network gas risers—external and internal—and associated lateral pipework in our buildings are owned by the Gas Distribution Network (GDN), installed in accordance with Industry Legislation and Standards, and inspected and maintained at regular intervals by GDN, in accordance with Industry Legislation and Standards as well as internal Company Management Procedures.
What can I do about fire safety in my building?
SHOW
Every flat should have a Fire Action Notice on the back of the front door. This will explain what to do if a fire occurs. It is in your interest to allow us to fit these when we call.
You can also help protect your home against fires by reviewing Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire & Rescue Service’s advice about home fire safety such as regularly checking your flat’s smoke alarm, keeping corridors free, calling 999 quickly if a fire occurs, familiarising yourself with the Stay Put policy in the event of a fire and keeping fire doors closed.
If you feel you have a vulnerability you can request a safe and well visit on the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire & Rescue Service website.
Fire safety in flats
You can also take extra care when cooking to ensure that pans are not left unattended. Double-check that you have turned the heat off and taken the pan off the heat when you have finished cooking.
For more information about fire safety in high-rise accommodations, please visit the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service’s High Rise Living page.
Southampton residents can play their role in helping to keep their family and neighbours safe by completing Safe and Sound, Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service's personalised home fire safety checker.
You can find more fire safety advice on our general FAQs page.
Fire prevention
The best way to control fire is to prevent one in the first place. You can find government advice, as well as information on e-bikes and e-scooters, on our fire prevention page.
