RBH says College Bank tower blocks "meet all current fire safety standards"

College Bank Flats

Rochdale Boroughwide Housing says all seven blocks at College Bank "meet all current fire safety standards and each block has a full fire risk assessment in place".

A spokesperson for RBH added: "In addition, in the period 2016/2017 we have invested in excess of £300,000 in a programme of fire safety upgrades at College Bank, including the fitting of emergency lighting, replacement bin hoppers and upgrades to a number of existing fire doors.

"We review our fire risk assessments for College Bank on an annual basis. Following our recent investment, we will be conducting a full and rigorous fire risk assessment on each block at College Bank in the next few weeks, as per our normal programme.

"Although sprinkler systems are not a requirement of current fire safety legislation, we have also installed risk specific sprinklers within the refuse rooms of all seven blocks at College Bank. These sprinklers are linked to a smoke detection system. In addition, the refuse hoppers themselves are fitted with fire dampers which in the event of fire seal off the refuse system from all other floors within the block thereby preventing any fire spread.

"In consultation with Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service, we have reviewed our evacuation procedures following the Grenfell Tower tragedy. GMFRS have confirmed that our existing procedures are appropriate.

"Our advice to residents remains:

• If there is a fire in your flat, leave the flat immediately, closing all doors behind you if it is safe to do so, and raise the alarm.
• If there is a fire elsewhere in the block, the safest option is to remain in your flat. This is because the blocks are specifically designed to support this approach in the event of a fire. However, this does not prevent you from evacuating the building should you wish to do so.

"As further details emerge about the nature and cause of the fire at Grenfell Tower we will be making sure that we fully consider any lessons for the future of College Bank and the options we are currently considering for further investment. We have already met with Rochdale Council to discuss this and we will continue to work with the Council and other partners.

"As always, we would encourage residents to report any hazards or concerns that they may have to us, so that they can be investigated and resolved."