City West signs up to tower block scheme

FIRE safety has been stepped up in high rise blocks in Salford as City West Housing Trust improves signage in its flats to help fire fighters in emergencies.

Each of the City West’s 12 high rises has been fitted with a new sign which sets out details of the block’s design to help fire fighters swiftly gauge the layout if called out to an emergency.

The signs have been fitted to the external walls, next to the main entrances of the blocks. The information on the laminated signs is very visual and provides quick reference information for responding emergency crews.

The signs include details of the number of floors, the layout of homes within the block and where hydrants are located. They also indicate the position of any fixed fire fighting installations.

Geoff Akroyd, Salford Borough Commander for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, said: “Fire fighters in Salford are trained and equipped to deal with incidents in high rise buildings and are familiar with the layout of City West Housing Trust’s high rise blocks in their station area.

“However, it may not always be the local crews who are first in attendance at an incident in a tower block and they may, therefore, be less familiar with the layout so the plates could provide the vital information to assist getting fire fighters and their equipment to where they are required.”

Colette McKune, Director of Asset Management of City West Housing Trust, said: “The Trust recognises how valuable the information on these signs can be to fire fighters in an emergency. We are keen to maximise safety for our high rise tenants.”