Efforts to improve the safety of homes in Bristol’s council owned high-rise buildings has taken a major step forward with the completion of works to end the use of waking watches.
Through a combination of the removal of cladding systems, and the installation of new sprinklers and alarms the final few waking watch teams were removed from the last three high rise buildings to require them.
Councillor Barry Parsons, chair of the homes and housing delivery policy committee, said: “The safety of our residents is our number one priority, and we are taking action across all estates to improve safety and ensure people feel secure in their homes. We have made significant investment in fire safety measures to both communal areas and individual homes, enabling us to bring an end to waking watches. I am therefore pleased to see waking watches now concluded across the city – this is a major milestone in delivering on our commitment to resident safety.
“Waking watches were always intended to be a temporary but vital safety measure, and we recognise their presence could at times feel unsettling for residents. That is why we have worked at pace to reduce the risks posed by fires in high rise homes. Standing down the final waking watch teams means all council high rise homes have now moved away from this approach.”
At the height of the programme, waking watches were in place in 38 council owned high rise buildings across the city, following updated fire safety guidance and inspections of external wall systems. As permanent safety improvements were completed, waking watches were progressively removed building by building, with the final three standing down their teams after works were signed off. These were in Southbow House, Whitemead House and Winterstoke House.
The council will continue to monitor fire safety measures closely and work with the fire service to ensure buildings are managed in line with the latest guidance.
A wider programme of investment to improve fire safety in council homes, procedures is continuing to ensure that residents can feel safe in their homes.