Roundhill Close

• Communal alarm issues identified and resolved by incorporating time delay on the alarm panel as agreed with Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service
• Fire stopping above the ceiling line in communal areas completed and checked as compliant
• Remediation work to communal fire doors completed and checked as compliant
• Fire stopping to ceilings in staircase lobbies completed and checked as compliant

• Repositioning of the flat front doorset is required so that they are fixed directly into the structural members of the frame including the replacement of some of the doors and frames
• Fire stopping around the soil and vent pipes in the kitchen and bathrooms where they pass through the ceiling of the apartments
• Works to the service rise doors and floors within one of the communal riser cupboards

The programme of works within the flats will be carried out in three separate phases due to the length of time required for each phase of the works, and the contractor envisages working in two flats at a time to undertake the fire stopping works. We anticipate the works will be completed in late 2024.

• The initial phase of the works will be the installation of the sprinkler system and the boxing in of the pipework which will take two to three days in each flat
• The second phase of the works will be the relocation of the flat front doors and the fire stopping around the soil vent pipes in the kitchen and bathroom plus any other remedial fire stopping within the flats. The relocation of the flat front door will take one day to complete. The fire stopping works will take two weeks per flat to complete
• The third phase of the works will be redecoration work within the flats and this will take one week per flat to complete
• Once all of the flat front doors have been redecorated the communal corridors will all be redecorated

• We continue to liaise with Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire Rescue Service to ensure appropriate measures are in place to keep residents safe
• The evacuation policy was changed from ‘stay put’ to ‘simultaneous evacuation’​
• The provision of a ‘waking watch’ system has been provided. This is undertaken by a trained personnel who patrol all floors and the perimeter of the building to ensure that any fire situation is detected, the alarm raised, and any evacuation managed​
• The installation of a fire detection system (with battery back-up) within the communal areas of the block with wireless sounders was installed on the ceiling of the entrance hall/lobby in each flat​
• Ensuring that the appointment of organisations and operatives are suitably trained and qualified to undertake the works
• The appointment by the council of a specialist fire consultant to oversee all remedial works and ensure compliance with regulations

Drew Smith is committed to working with residents in order to carry out the works and to ensure that the safety of the residents are at the heart of what they do.

The sprinkler works will take two days and the work to the kitchen, bathroom and the flat front doors will take three weeks, this includes one week to redecorate the front door.

Drew Smith are responsible for the safety of your property and your possessions. They will be asked to ensure your flat will remain exactly as it’s left.

The works are being undertaken by accredited specialists under Drew Smith supervision.

The council have also appointed an independent fire safety specialist to monitor the works.

The operatives have provided their accreditation for the works that are being undertaken.

The council are also visiting the building regularly to assess the situation.

This is due to the fire safety regulations.

Sprinklers were not installed at the time of construction as they were not required under the fire safety legislation in force at the time.

In the event of a fire, typically, only the sprinkler closest to the fire will activate, spraying water directly over the fire.

The water from the sprinkler head cools the hot fire gases, so in nearly all cases, there is not enough heat to activate the next nearest sprinkler. This leaves the rest of the property dry and secure.

If the fire is in your flat, or an immediate, neighbouring flat, get yourself and anyone else out of the property, close the door and call 999. Fire sprinklers will do the rest.

Currently the evacuation policy is for you to evacuate the building in the event of a fire anywhere in the building. However, following completion of all the works the building will revert to a “stay put” policy if the fire is in any other flat and you should then close your doors and windows and stay in your flat.

Once the block has reverted to “stay put”, the emergency services will tell you if they want you to leave and will arrange for a safe evacuation in that event.

The sprinklers are fully automatic and will work even if there is a power failure.

The system will continue running until the Fire Service deems it safe to turn it off.

There will be a dedicated empty flat made available to each household whilst works are being carried out to their flat.

The resident should leave the flat clean and tidy at the end of each day if they use the void flat.

Drew Smith will clean and tidy the flat after the works are finalised before the next residents move in.

If you have any questions or concerns or would like to discuss the matter, you can email these to: Firesafety.works@southampton.gov.uk and a member of the team will contact you.

Drew Smith will have a residential supervisor during the progress of the works whose number will be provided to you.

It is the responsibility of the resident to look after their animals during the works.

The flat front door will be taken off and replaced, this work will take one day.