We have 13 high rise blocks of flats in Falkirk. Following the tragic incident at Grenfell Tower, London in June 2017, we understand that residents may have concerns about fire safety in these blocks.
Following the fire, we wrote to all residents of our blocks, as well as visiting individual flats and attending public meetings.
What we are doing
We have robust procedures in place to ensure the safety of our residents within our high rise blocks. These include the following:
- Regular checks of communal areas by our Neighbourhood Officer and Caretakers
- Action taken when concerns are reported to us about communal areas
- Annual fire safety inspections of the blocks
- Regular safety checks to fire detection systems, fire extinguishers, emergency lighting and dry risers
- We have recently updated the emergency signage in communal areas
- Regular Electrical Installation Condition Reports
- Quarterly visits from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service
- Additional fire safety training for relevant staff members
The high rise blocks also have the following safety features:
- Fire resistant doors at the entry door of flats
- Mains wired smoke alarms in all Council-owned properties in the blocks
- Fire alarms, smoke and heat detectors in ground floor communal areas
We will take into account any recommendations made by the independent review into the Grenfell Tower fire, and make further improvements where required.
What you can do
All residents of our high rise flats have a responsibility to:
- Check your smoke alarms weekly - please call us on 01324 506070 if there is any problem with your smoke alarm.
- Know the evacuation procedures in the event of a fire.
- Keep communal areas free of items and rubbish.
- Report potential hazards within a communal area to us as soon as possible on 01324 506070.
- Do not store bottled gas, or any appliances which use bottled gas, anywhere within the building.
- Call 999 immediately if you see any fire in a high rise block of flats.
You can request an individual fire safety visit from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service by calling them on 0800 0731 999.
Cladding
All of our high rise blocks have had cladding installed. The table below shows the type of cladding, contractor and approximate date completed for each block:
| High rise block |
Date of overcladding |
Principal contractor |
System used |
| Symon Tower |
2014 |
Lovell Partnerships |
Bauclad HPL panel on aluminium framing system with mineral wool insulation |
| Marshall Tower |
2014 |
Apollo Property Services Group (now Keepmoat Regeneration Ltd) |
Bauclad HPL panel on aluminium framing system with mineral wool insulation |
| Leishman Tower |
2014 |
Apollo Property Services Group (now Keepmoat Regeneration Ltd) |
Bauclad HPL panel on aluminium framing system with mineral wool insulation |
| Paterson Tower |
2012 |
Apollo Property Services Group (now Keepmoat Regeneration Ltd) |
Bauclad HPL panel on aluminium framing system with mineral wool insulation |
| Eastburn Tower |
2012 |
MacKenzie Construction Ltd |
Bauclad HPL panel on aluminium framing system with mineral wool insulation |
| Maxwell Tower |
2012 |
Lovell Partnerships |
Bauclad HPL panel on aluminium framing system with mineral wool insulation |
| Belmont Tower |
2008 |
Lovell Partnerships |
Trespa Meteon HPL panel on aluminium framing system with mineral wool insulation |
| Breton Court |
2006 |
Lovell Partnerships |
Trespa Meteon HPL panel on aluminium framing system with mineral wool insulation |
| Corentin Court |
2006 |
Lovell Partnerships |
Trespa Meteon HPL panel on aluminium framing system with mineral wool insulation |
| Parkfoot Court |
1996 |
Miller Construction Ltd |
Trespa Meteon HPL panel on aluminium framing system with mineral wool insulation |
| Glenbrae Court |
1995 |
Miller Construction Ltd |
Trespa Meteon HPL panel on aluminium framing system with mineral wool insulation |
| Greenbank Court |
1999 |
Muirfield Construction (no longer trading) |
MR Swisslab external wall insulation system |
| Glenfuir Court |
Pre 1996 |
No details of the main contractor are held |
Structherm external wall insulation system |
All of our cladding systems have been assessed, and are of a different type to that used in Grenfell Tower. The materials and construction methods used in our properties are inherently low fire risk.
External Wall Fire Review Forms (EWS1)
We (Falkirk Council) do not have EWS1 forms for our tenement flats, as this is a process and form used by valuers and lenders.
The Scottish Government is continuing to assess matters in relation to cladding on high rise and flatted properties but our understanding is that at the moment the obligation to carry out an EWS1, if that is required, lies with the individual owner and that there is no obligation on co-owners. You may wish to discuss this further with your appointed surveyor or legal representatives, as they may be able to assist with arranging an EWS1, if they consider this is required to conclude the conveyancing.
The Scottish Government's website has further information on EWS1 for buying, selling and remortgaging.
Contact us
If you have any other concerns about fire safety in your block, please email us:
Alternatively, you can contact us via telephone (option 2, option 3, option 3):
We can also provide this information in other formats on request.