Extra fire safety measures have been introduced at a Castle Retirement Living retirement village in the wake of the Grenfell tragedy.
Castle View Windsor, a 64 home village, which is due for completion in October 2018, boasts a fire safety strategy exceeding all legal requirements.
Robin Hughes, Managing Director of Castle Retirement Living, said: “With not only my parents due to be amongst our first residents, all safety is of a paramount importance to me.
“The recommendations from the Grenfell tragedy will take time and I want our building to lead the way in fire safety so we have taken the decision to put sprinklers in all corridors and common areas for our apartments.
“By making the decision now – 13 months before we open, we assure all residents of the very best thinking in fire safety – even though we are a low rise building with every apartment having a balcony accessible by the fire brigade. I believe our investment in our fire safety strategy will make it one of the most protected retirement developments nationwide.
“Whilst our No Smoking policy has not yet proven to be legally enforceable as homes and residential care homes are currently exempt from smoke-free legislation, we have found all our 14reservees to date extremely supportive and committed to our initiative.”
Further safety measures include smoke and heat detectors in each apartment linked to a central fire detection centre with 24-hour managed attendance in all buildings. The development also boasts a more expensive concrete frame across all its structure for greater fire resistance, while fire resistant cladding will meet all the latest compliance requirements.
HOPPE UK, meanwhile, is offering a free fire door seminar for care home owners and facilities managers.
To book a free CPD session, call Andy Matthews head of sales for HOPPE (UK), on 01902 484 439 or email andy.matthews@hoppe.com.
