Question: Revised Fire Regulations
I fully appreciate that SEH has residents interests as a primary objective. Never the less, I feel that the instruction to residents that no front door decorations can be displayed was insensitive especially at this time of year.
Such displays are traditional and, to some at least, of religious significance.
They are also in place for a very short period of time.
This is in stark contrast to a very real danger that has existed for a very long time yet one which apparently has no possibility of being addressed.
I refer to the ill fitting front doors which offer no significant barrier to the entry or egress of smoke.
My door shows clear light on most points of contact to the frame. I haven't inspected the rest of the flats but from talking to other residents many have the same problem.
Perhaps this should be part of the "walk about" inspections which are regularly undertaken.
Answer:
I am very sorry to hear that you are dissatisfied with the service provided by South Essex Homes. I fully sympathise with the concerns you have raised in relation to festive decorations not being allowed to be displayed on doors. I do acknowledge that this approach may seem mean spirited and I would like to reassure you that that is certainly not the intention.
You are of course aware of the guidance and recommendations we have received from Essex Fire and Rescue Service and our own Regulation Compliance Officer in relation to communal hallways. Both have recognised that this is a communal area used by residents to access to and from their flats but the paramount use of this space is access for the fire services and exit for residents in the event of a fire. I hope you will therefore recognise the importance of maintaining a fire resistant environment of these areas.
I appreciate that the festive season is a short season but should we rescind our instructions albeit on a temporary basis for the Christmas festivities this would possibly lead to further requests for other festive periods throughout the year and therefore reducing the emphasis on the importance of the initial instruction. Residents are welcome to decorate the communal lounges (avoiding the smoke detectors)in order to celebrate the festive season.
I therefore seek your support in ensuring that this request is complied with.
With regard to your observations of the flat entrance doors, surveyors are currently undertaking full and extensive surveys of each of our buildings, focusing initially in the tower blocks and sheltered schemes and flat entrance doors and door frames will be one of the components within the buildings to be inspected. The council has set aside a budget to carry out fire preventative works and once works have been identified orders will be raised.
Question: Health and Safety- Sheltered Housing
In April of this year it was decided to remove chairs from the landings/corridors of Dylan Court.
We were told it was due to fire safety regulations, bearing in mind that these chairs had been available for 35 years for use as and when the need arose.
Also, it has to be noted, this decision was taken AFTER SEH had purchased replacement chairs.
The decision was challenged by residents as they were not positioned in such a manner that they contravened fire escape along the corridors or the stair wells.
In fact these chairs were placed in a position for Health and Safety reasons for use of residents who have problems walking and or breathing.
I bring to your attention that Health and Safety regulations, as set down by the executive, differ for care homes and sheltered housing.
This is due to elderly residents who reside their as their status differs to those who reside in other dwellings.
It is a known fact that the lift can be out of action for various reasons.
To name some; power cut, maintenance or malfunction due to a broken part.
We residents are then forced to use the stairs and that is where the chairs come into being.
Un fortunately I am now one of those who suffers from walking and also breathing.
I can walk a certain distance at my own pace as I need this for exercise for movement.
On 29th September I went shopping and on return found that the lift was out of action.
This I was told was because of necessary repairs.
One of the engineers volunteered to carry my shopping upstairs which I accepted.
On reaching the 1st floor landing, I asked if he could take my bags and leave them outside of my flat.
This was because I could not walk any further as I was out of breath.
Obviously I could not sit down because the chairs had been removed so it left me leaning against the wall holding onto a flat door frame.
I am only one of several residents in this position.
I also raise the question of other residents who like to walk up the stairs to keep themselves fit.
The question hangs over their heads in as much that walking upstairs exerts more on the heart and it is a known fact, a heart attack can happen any time.
The health and safety of elderly residents is paramount which is why the regulations differ.
I am now asking a question to the board.
"Are you accepting full responsibillity should any resident come to harm, be it fatally, or excessive ill health due to these chairs being removed".
Answer:
Thank you for getting in touch and for raising this issue, we have now looked into your concerns.
Following advice received from Essex Fire and Rescue Service and our Regulation Compliance Officer, we took the action of removing all obstacles, including chairs, from communal areas of the sheltered housing schemes we manage in Southend.
This was carried out in order to help prevent any potential spread of fire and to remove any obstacles which could cause injury, or that may delay, or even prevent a resident from leaving the building in the event of a fire.
We have since been talking to residents at those sheltered housing schemes to obtain their views on the provision of alternative options in the form of fixed retractable seating. Such seating would be made from fire retardant/fire proof materials and would serve as a resting place for residents whilst satisfying Essex Fire and Rescue Service on matters of fire safety.
Please be assured that our top priority is, and will remain, the safety of our residents and we will continue to work with them along with partner agencies in order to find suitable solutions to issues around health and safety.