Hills Shire Council push for better fire safety precautions following Grenfell Tower Fire, find Rouse Hill apartment with ‘numerous deficiencies’

FIRE and Rescue NSW has revealed “numerous fire safety deficiencies” at a highrise residential apartment building at Rouse Hill, with Hills Shire councillors hitting out at “independent certifiers” over the issue.

97 Caddies Boulevard Rouse Hill, NSW 2155

FIRE and Rescue NSW has revealed “numerous fire safety deficiencies” at a highrise residential apartment building at Rouse Hill, with Hills Shire councillors hitting out at “independent certifiers” over fire safety issues.

An inspection of the apartment block at 97 Caddies Blvd, Rouse Hill, by FRNSW revealed issues relating to “the fire hydrant system, fire sprinkler system, extended travel distances from sole occupancy units to an exit, non-provision of portable fire extinguishers and issues with respect to signage, including the non-provision of block plans”.

Councillor Alan Haselden said a “large number of residents would find themselves in perilous circumstances” if a fire started in the building.

“Residents go to sleep at night believing they are safe in their homes. However, small local fires can result in inferno and loss of life,” Cr Haselden said. “An example of this is the recent Grenfell Tower fire in London.”

TOPSHOT - The remains of Grenfell Tower, a residential tower block in west London which was gutted by fire, are pictured against the London skyline on June 16, 2017. The toll from the London tower block fire has risen to at least 30 people dead and the flames have now been extinguished, police said on June 16, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / CHRIS J RATCLIFFE

Council officers also conducted an inspection of the site in August, resulting in a range of fire safety issues.

“The fire at Grenfell Tower in London brought global attention to the risks related to fire safety, particularly in residential highrise buildings,” a council report into the inspection said.

Flames and smoke coming from a 27-storey block of flats after a fire broke out in west London. The fire brigade said 40 fire engines and 200 firefighters had been called to the blaze in Grenfell Tower, which has 120 flats. / AFP PHOTO / Natalie Oxford

“The property identified in the inspection report from FRNSW has been identified by the DFSI and council audit as potentially being fitted with external cladding.”

“A letter has been sent to the property owners to raise awareness of the combustible cladding and requests they review all the design, construction and approval documents to determine the external wall cladding material installed on the building complies with the Building Code of Australia.”