We’ve been asked to update our website with an important note about building and fire safety from Team East Village.

Dear East Village residents,

We hope that you and your families are safe and well.

We are writing to you with a further update on the programme of works across East Village, including the ACM removal. We last wrote to you on 11 February 2020 and this is our fourth update since September 2019. If you are a new East Village resident and would like to see copies of previous letters, please get in touch with your landlord who will be happy to provide them to you.

Progress on building safety works

As you can appreciate, the Covid-19 outbreak has caused some disruption and delays to the programme. We want to reassure you that, despite this, the project is very much a priority for Team East Village, Triathlon Homes and Get Living.

Throughout this period, we have been able to continue working with the specialist consultants. Since our last update, we have appointed a Project Manager for the ACM removal and a dedicated Cladding Programme Manager whose job is to oversee the inspections of the façades across East Village. We are all very aware of the need to ensure the work is completed as quickly as possible.

Progress has been made on preparing for the ACM replacement and several specialists have been appointed to undertake the design and engineering work for the new façade sections on the 11 buildings where some limited areas of ACM have been identified.

This design and engineering work will inform the tender process for contractors to carry out the works. We expect to have a partner appointed before the end of this year. Further investigative works will be undertaken this month, so you may see operatives working at height on these buildings. Removal and replacement work is expected to start in early 2021, subject to any public health guidelines that may be in place at that time.

In addition, we are making progress with the analysis of façade materials across all buildings in East Village. All the buildings achieved Building Regulations certification after their construction but, following the implementation of the Government’s Building Safety Programme, further guidance has been issued prompting a review of the construction and fire safety measures installed. This work programme, which includes a detailed review of the construction information and physical inspection, is underway. This means you may see operatives working at height on your building as we inspect the external walls. This is likely to commence in early July and last throughout the year. We will let you know when our contractors and engineers are working on your block nearer the time.

Resident liaison

Triathlon Homes will continue to liaise directly with their leaseholders who have concerns about how building investigations might affect them. Triathlon Homes will be providing an updated briefing with leaseholder-specific information separately. For all homes, Team East Village will continue to keep all residents informed generally, as appropriate.

Fire safety precautions

We want to reassure residents that East Village’s fire safety measures are continually reviewed. We maintain a close working relationship with the London Fire Brigade and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to ensure we are following the most up-to-date advice.

East Village has a comprehensive suite of fire safety measures and procedures in place, which includes: 24 hour monitored fire alarms; smoke detectors and sounders; sprinklers in areas where they are required; wet and dry risers and automatic smoke vents in common parts.  Further there is a 24/7 onsite team trained to respond in the event of a fire, regular specialist inspections of fire plant & equipment, annual fire risk assessments for individual buildings, health and safety audits undertaken by qualified professionals three times a year and weekly staff inspections.  All the above ensures systems are well maintained and procedures remain suitable and present.

Every block has an up-to-date Fire Risk Assessment. These are independently reviewed every year. Team East Village is in regular contact with the London Fire Brigade and has already discussed the findings of the initial inspection reports with them.  The fire brigade has advised that no changes to the current fire strategy or procedures are required.

Fire safety guidance

As a reminder, our fire safety guidance can be found below. This has been updated with a note on barbeques. Barbeques are not permitted on your balcony or in the courtyards. We have re-opened the communal barbeque areas for your use and will keep them open subject to public health advice.

Contact details

As always, customers of Triathlon Homes can contact moc.semohnolhtairtnull@ofni and Get Living residents can contact moc.gniviltegnull@ytinummoc.

FIRE SAFETY GUIDE FOR RESIDENTS – EAST VILLAGE

IN THE EVENT OF A FIRE IN YOUR APARTMENT

–  In the event of a fire within your apartment, you should evacuate immediately, making sure you close the door behind you to prevent the spread of fire.

– As soon as you are out of your apartment, evacuate via the nearest fire exit route as indicated by the ‘green running person’ signs.

– Contact the emergency services on 999 and the Estate Management Company Security Control Room on 020 8221 7013 as soon as possible once you are safe.

– Please familiarise yourself with the nearest fire exit point to your apartment.

IN THE EVENT YOU SEE A FIRE OR HEAR A FIRE ALARM IN THE COMMON AREAS

– If you witness a fire or hear a fire alarm in a common area you should evacuate the building immediately.

– You should not attempt to evacuate any other residents from their apartments.

EVACUATION OF A BUILDING

– Evacuation of an entire building will be under the strict instruction of the fire service.

– If you have mobility problems, please contact your Management Lettings Operations to discuss having a personal evacuation plan developed specific to your evacuation needs.

SMOKE DETECTORS

– The smoke detectors fitted inside your apartment are mains powered with a battery back-up to ensure continued use in the event of a power failure.  You should check this on a regular basis and ensure that the back up batteries are changed regularly. Full details for testing and maintenance of your smoke detector can be found within your resident’s handbook.

– Do not tamper with or disconnect smoke alarms, they are fitted for the safety of you and your neighbours.

FIRE DOORS

– The front door to your apartment is a fire door, dependant on the layout of your apartment, some of the internal doors will also be fire rated, as required by building regulations.

– Doors fitted with automatic closers provide protection in the event of a fire and are fitted for the protection of residents and the buildings.  Please do not remove the automatic door closers or keep doors wedged open.

FIRE PROTECTION – Please always observe the following precautions

– Make sure the smoke alarm in your home is working and is regularly tested. All alarms in common areas are tested by the estate management company weekly.

– Use the heating system installed in your home. Do not use heaters in your home with a flame or heaters which are fuelled by gas, paraffin or have electric bars.

– Do not obstruct consumer units, controls or isolating switches inside electrical cupboards.

– Do not prop open doors within your apartment or remove self-closing devices.

– Do not use barbeques or any flame heaters on your balcony.

SPRINKLERS

– Do not block or paint any sprinklers within your home.

CALLING THE FIRE BRIGADE

– To prevent the spread of fire and to save life, upon identifying a fire and once you are in a place of safety, you should call the fire brigade on 999 and the Estate Management Company Security Control Room on 020 8221 7013 to report the fire.