Information published by Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) shows that just 117 of the city's tower blocks were “broadly compliant” with fire safety regulations, reports Inside Housing.

Action plans were issued by GMFRS inspectors to the owners of 299 buildings to bring them up to safety standards.

Another 66 “notifications of deficiencies” were issued. The remaining checks, which resulted in two enforcement notices, were carried out before the Grenfell Tower fire.

GMFRS said many of the action plans were issued for a lack of documentation such as fire risk assessments – but suggested this was partly because building owners were given less notice than usual before the checks as inspectors rushed to assess fire safety post-Grenfell.

Jim Hutton, head of protection at GMFRS, said: “Following the tragic fire at Grenfell Tower, Greater Manchester took swift action to reassure local residents and take steps to ensure their homes are safe.

“This has involved GMFRS proactively inspecting every high-rise residential building in Greater Manchester, working with housing providers, local authorities and buildings in private ownership to make sure the right fire safety advice is in place.

“Where issues have been identified, landlords and building owners have worked with GMFRS to put in place a plan to address these. GMFRS is now revisiting residential high-rise buildings where interim measures and action plans are in place and providing support on decision-making regarding any remedial work.”

Original source

Inside Housing