Cladding remediation is expected to be carried out at a block of flats in Norwich’s city centre following fire safety non-compliance.
As reported by Eastern Daily Press, an investigation into St Anne's Quarter in Riverside, a 437-home £85 million development, found several fire safety deficiencies.
Managing the residential complex is Orbit Homes, which purchased the former brewery in 2014 and began construction work to transform the vacant industrial site into residential homes in 2017. While flats began to be sold in 2019, a recent Fire Risk Appraisal of the External Wall (FRAEW) found that the cladding was not in line with the government’s latest fire safety guidance.
A spokesperson for Orbit Homes said: “The safety of our customers is our number one priority.
"Following revised advice issued by the government regarding the management and safety of tall buildings, we have been carrying out detailed investigations of all our relevant properties.
“The inspection at St Anne’s Quarter identified that remedial works to the external wall of the building are required to meet the updated guidance.
"We will be taking several steps based on guidance from the National Fire Chiefs Council, including enhancing fire systems and revising fire evacuation strategies where needed, whilst we coordinate a long-term remedial solution for the external wall system with the original developers.
“We have been keeping customers updated with our plans but encourage them to reach out to us directly with any questions they have."
It is believed tenants were sent a letter by the management company telling them to be “prepared for any potential evacuation should a temporarily enhanced fire alarm system be activated while works are carried out”.
Remediation costs are expected to be picked up by the developers, with no indication that tenants will be required to pay for the fixes. The work is also expected to go on for some time, with the company stating that remediation “is likely to involve various stages”.
(Photograph by Orbit Homes)