Fire safety in multi storey blocks FAQs

Your safety is our top priority and want to reassure you that the cladding on our multi storey blocks is not the same as the Grenfell Tower’s cladding. All cladding used meets the required standards.

The cladding system on Dudhope Court was installed a number of years ago. As an additional measure to further re-assure all tenants of the safety of the block a cladding panel was removed and a sample of the insulation material was taken to be sent for analysis.  The sample of insulation was analysed and confirmed to be mineral wool.  This material has been independently verified as non-combustible.

• All of the Council's multi storey blocks have a hard-wired smoke detector in each flat (with battery backup). Please call 01382 434343 if you have any problems with your smoke detector.
• All front doors and kitchen door in multi storey flats are fire doors. Fire doors act as a barrier to the spread of smoke/and or fire from one area to another.
• All doors on landings/stairwells/bin stores are fire doors.
• All landing fire doors are fitted with automatic closures to ensure that they close properly and are checked on a daily basis. Any doors found to be wedged open are closed.
• There are Fire Exit signs are on all landings and stairwells.
• Dry-Risers (Inlet and Outlet) are checked on a maintenance contract along with the Fire Service carrying out their quarterly block checks of which any remedial repairs identified are attended to promptly.

• A rigorous annual risk assessment is carried out by the Council and Scottish Fire & Rescue service to ensure all blocks are of the highest standard and that any issues identified are addressed immediately.
• Blocks are inspected regularly to ensure any combustible materials and hazards are removed from communal areas.
• For your added reassurance a number of inspections and checks are being carried out. Any additional measures that are recommended will be put in place.

The advice of the Scottish Fire & Rescue Service is:

• If a fire happens in your flat
• Shout to alert the household and get out quickly
• If smoke is present keep low, crawl if you need to get below the smoke level
• Close doors behind you including the front door to prevent smoke and fire spread
• Don’t return to investigate or fight the fire
• Don’t use the lifts always take the stairs to exit the building
• CALL 999 AS SOON AS YOU ARE IN A SAFE PLACE

If a fire is NOT in your flat

• If you smell smoke call the Fire and Rescue Service
• Stay in your flat and keep the front door closed
• Pack a towel or sheets around the bottom of the front door to stop smoke getting in
• Go to an open window and wait for the arrival of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service

Sprinklers are fitted in the bin store areas.

We are looking at all options for improving fire safety in all our multi storey blocks, including sprinkler systems.

• The Scottish Fire & Rescue Service are happy to visit you to talk about fire safety in your home. To arrange a free fire safety check call 0800 0731 999.
• Read the Fire Safety leaflet
• Never leave your cooker unattended
• Keep lit candles away from children and pets, and from curtains or other flammable materials
• Don’t leave lit candles unattended on mantelpieces or windowsills and make sure they are extinguished properly
• Use the correct fuse rating for your appliance
• Unplug items like hair straighteners and phone chargers if you’re not using them, to prevent them from overheating
• Remember, smoking is not permitted in any of the common areas of multi storey blocks, including lifts, stairwells, foyers, drying areas, laundry rooms and bin recesses. This does not apply to individual flats within the block.
• If you are smoking in your flat at a window/on the verandah, use an ashtray and don’t flick ash/lit cigarettes as this can land in another property.
• Please do not to store furniture etc. in the bin stores or other communal areas. Contact the caretaker if you see any instances of this so that we can act quickly to remove them.