Cladding to be replaced on two Fife tower blocks after fire safety concerns

Two high-rise blocks of flats in Methil are to have their cladding stripped amid safety concerns.

The material on Swan and Memorial Court has been deemed a possible fire risk and could put residents at higher risk.

Fife Council says it's going to remove and replace the cladding but insists the action is precautionary and people are safe in their homes.

The findings were made by consultants, commissioned by the council to evaluate work by contractors carrying improvement works to fire stopping.

They made some recommendations and found the use of Phenolic Tile External Wall Insulation (EWI) – installed in 2012 and 2013 – could pose a higher risk given the lack of fire breaks.

The council does not agree with the findings and will be testing the material in the short term.

However, it says it will move swiftly to replace the material with a mineral wool-based EWI system, saying it should also improve energy efficiency in the blocks.

Fife Council says it'll complete the work as soon as possible and is working on details and costs of the work.

John Mills, head of housing, said: “Following the past tragic events in Tower Blocks in England, we have been working with our tenants to reassure them that they are safe in their homes, and that has been supported with rigorous reassessment to make sure the materials used to clad our buildings is safe. 

“The Council’s Tower Block Review Group has also made a number of improvements such as the installation of sprinkler systems to ground floor areas, the upgrading of doors to 60 minute fire safety and fire alarm connection to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. 

“However, we are not complacent in relation to the need for effective fire safety and we are always working to enhance standards beyond the current building standards requirements.

“The risk posed by the existing EWI may be higher with the lack of external fire breaks and therefore we’re keen to fully mitigate these risks as soon as possible.

“We’re visiting all of our tenants and residents to offer face-to-face advice and discussions about any concerns they may have in light of the new information we’ve received.”

Both blocks are home to 156 households.

None of the other tower blocks in Fife are affected.

Councillor David Ross, Fife Council leader, said: “While I understand the report could be potentially worrying for high-rise tenants in these blocks, I want to reassure them that the course of action we are taking is purely precautionary. 

“Tenants’ safety is our top concern and, in light of the new information contained in the report, we have been working closely with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to ensure that the fire safety measures currently in place are satisfactory. That continues to be the case. 

“However, it is also true that this report has highlighted some issues we want to address.

“We will not compromise on safety standards and we hope that the steps we are taking to raise standards further will help to provide additional reassurance to our tenants.” 

Area Commander Kenny Barbour, fire service local senior officer for Stirling, Clackmannanshire, and Fife, said: "We have been made aware of recommendations in relation to external cladding on two high-rise buildings in Fife and we will be working closely with Fife Council and the Scottish Government on this matter. 

"The safety of our firefighters and communities is of paramount importance and that is why we carry out quarterly operational assurance visits at every high-rise building in Scotland, where we make sure lifts and any fire safety equipment are working effectively. 

"We have robust procedures in place in relation to firefighting operations within high-rise buildings. Our crews use lifts, fire alarm panels, fire doors and riser landing valves so any damage to these should be reported to your building manager as soon as possible. 

"As part of our commitment to public safety, we also recently equipped our operational crews with fire escape hoods which can be offered to tenants in the event of a fire. These hoods can offer added protection from smoke and hazardous gasses."