Kirklees Council has approved a £21m investment programme which will see all 865 low-rise blocks across the borough benefit from improved fire protection measures.
The work will involve six-storey blocks, as well as retirement living schemes and low-rise buildings, and comes as work is already underway upgrading the council’s high-rise blocks.
Work will start in May 2022, when approved contractors will start the process of independently surveying every low-rise block in Kirklees to identify and carry out the fire safety works needed.
These surveys will inform what works are necessary on a per building basis and are likely to include replacing fire doors to homes and communal areas, compartmentation, upgrading smoke and heat alarms, emergency lighting and new fire signage.
Tenants and leaseholders have been informed of the programme and will be contacted directly ahead of any survey or work being carried out on their building.
Commenting, Kirklees Council’s Strategic Director of Growth and Regeneration, David Shepherd said:
“Since the transfer from KNH [Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing], the council has focused on and prioritised investment to ensure our tenants are safe in their homes.
“This is part of that on-going commitment to keeping our tenants in low-rise buildings as safe as possible.
“The £21m investment will see every one of our 865 low-rise buildings individually surveyed and safety upgrades made to the highest standard to further ensure the safety of all our tenants and leaseholders in the event of a fire.”
The work is part of a wider £90m improvement programme being carried out across social housing in Kirklees, with the early part of the programme focusing on high-rise flats.
