Introduction

Following a Fire Risk Audit on Luton Borough Councils housing stock of 10 high rise tower blocks, it was recommended by Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service that more specific site information was required on the internal layout and that the original fire doors required attention to bring them up to current standards.

As an existing user of the GSP One-Key® Locking System, Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service recommended that Luton Borough Council contact Gerda Security Products for information on the Premises Information Box System as the secure focal point containing information for attending fire crews, plus approved fire doorsets.

The Project

With the existing fire doors requiring replacement as they weren’t fit for purpose under the existing Fire Safety guidelines, Luton Borough Council also wanted to safeguard against the ongoing problem of antisocial behaviour. The Gerda FDS Complete™ Communal Doorset Range delivered the solution, with robust construction and anti-vandalism features, including concealed overhead door closers and axe-attack resistant 3tiervision™ panel glazing system. FDS Complete FD60S doorsets with side and top panels were installed for the high-traffic access stairwells, with FD30S for corridors, providing regulation compliant fire resistance, smoke control and acoustic properties.

Luton Borough Council were particularly impressed that Gerda manufacture in the UK, with surveying and production all controlled in-house. Plus, that we provided a 3-day training programme for the approved installers, so that they could use their own labour to fit the Gerda range of products with 3rd party accreditation.

The Outcome

Luton Borough Council started with a pilot site for Gerda Complete™ Fire Doorsets and Secure Premises Information Box (HSS PIB®C) to be assured that they would stand up against the antisocial behaviour experienced on site, before rolling the programme out to the remaining tower blocks based on their following learnings.

• Information available in a usable clear format for the Fire & Rescue Service (FRS)

• Premises information was available at the point of delivery – this is crucial to enable the FRS to make informed

decisions

• Fit for purpose Fire Doorsets tested as a complete unit so have peace of mind

• Reduction in antisocial behaviour and the costs related to that

• Compliant building in line with the RR(FS)O without the ongoing costs of repairs and maintenance problems