Fire safety

Following the fire at Grenfell Tower last June, we proposed that sprinklers should be fitted to all properties in blocks of 10 storeys or more – bringing fire safety up to the same standard that would be found in a similar newly built block.

Undertaking the works 

We have made an application to the First Tier Property Tribunal to ensure that it has the authority to undertake and charge for the works in leasehold properties.

First Tier Property Tribunal 

We have now received preliminary directions from the tribunal:

• Case summary
• Preliminary directions
• Application for a determination of liability to pay and reasonableness of service charges

Below are further directions from the Tribunal about the case management hearing that was held on 16 October 2018:

• Email from the Tribunal 10 September 2018
• Order from Tribunal 11 September 2018
• Tribunal’s letter to leaseholders 11 September 2018
• Further Tribunal direction 11 September 2018

Further correspondence with the First Tier Property Tribunal:

• Letter to the First Tier Property Tribunal 12 October 2018
• Tribunal letter of 15 October 2018
• Case Management Hearing Draft Timetable
• Tribunal Directions 5 November 2018
• Supplemental Directions 5 December 2018

Statement of Case on Behalf of the London Borough of Wandsworth

• Full Statement of Case 21 December 2018
• Council letter to leaseholders 21 December 2018

Supporting Evidence

• Appendix 1 - Amended Schedule 2A
• Appendix 2 - Minutes of HROSC meeting 20 June 2017
• Appendix 3 - Approved Document B (Vol 2) Building Regulations 2010
• Appendix 4 - Paper No. 17-243: Report by Director of Housing and Regeneration 28 June 2017
• Appendix 5 - Minutes of FCROSC meeting 29 June 2017
• Appendix 6 - Grenfell fire chief calls for sprinklers in tower blocks, BBC website 13 September 2017
• Appendix 7 - Paper No. 17-269: Report by Director of Housing and Regeneration 6 September 2017
• Appendix 8 - Letter from HM Coroner to DCLG 4 February 2013
• Appendix 9 - Report by LFEPA Commissioner 20 June 2013
• Appendix 10 - Minutes of HROSC meetings 14 September 2017
• Appendix 11 - London Fire Brigade AFSS Position Statement
• Appendix 12 - Paper No. 18-12: Report by Director of Housing and Regeneration 9 January 2018
• Appendix 13 - Minutes of HROSC 18 January 2018
• Appendix 14 - Appendix C to Building a Safer Future: Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety
• Appendix 15 - Business Case for Sprinklers, Chief Fire Officers Association June 2013
• Appendix 16 - Effectiveness of sprinklers in residential premises, BRE, February 2014
• Appendix 17 - Final Regulatory Impact Assessment, DCLG, December 2006
• Appendix 18 - Approved Document B, Frequently Asked Questions
• Appendix 19 - Never Again: Sprinklers as the next step towards safer homes, London Assembly Planning Committee
• Appendix 20 - LFB response to London Assembly report on sprinklers, LFB website
• Appendix 21 - Sprinklers save high-rise flat London, 19 February 2018, BAFSA website
• Appendix 22 - Paper 18-281: Report by Director of Housing and Regeneration 12 September 2018
• Appendix 23 - Risk control: A question of sprinklers, Risk Management Partners 2018
• Appendix 24 - Independent review of building regulations and fire safety: next steps MHCLG
• Appendix 25 - Letter from Clive Betts MP to Cllr Kim Caddy 12 December 2018
• Appendix 26 - Provision of Sprinkler Systems to all high-rise blocks ten storeys in height or greater, Design Service
• Appendix 27 - Sprinklers - what do they cost and how well do they work, Inside housing
• Appendix 28 - Think Sprinkler, Automatic Water Fire Suppression System Information Toolkit LFB
• Appendix 29 - Index of cases referred to in the statement of case
• Lease Dates and Types