Tower block fire - london

dowie said:
indeed you're not - though if you do live in such a high rise and you're sufficiently worried you could stash a big climbing rope and couple of harnesses in your wardrobe just in case
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You're probably better off with fireproof suits and an oxygen tanks. Most tower blocks have very strong and concrete stairwell designed to be a safe haven from fire, so you'd be far better off getting through a few flights of hot, smoke filled stairs. If you can get though those floors and under the fire, you can get out. Although in this case, it seems like the fire spread absurdly fast, and I'll not be surprised if the investigation finds the cladding held the burning insulation to the building, helped the burning parts fall inside the building and kept it going that way. It was like one of those candles that have a wick around the outside instead of up the middle.
 
It's pretty clear that the moment that cladding was installed, the fate of the people who lived there was sealed. it was a matter of when not if.
 
Steampunk said:
You're probably better off with fireproof suits and an oxygen tanks. Most tower blocks have very strong and concrete stairwell designed to be a safe haven from fire, so you'd be far better off getting through a few flights of hot, smoke filled stairs. If you can get though those floors and under the fire, you can get out. Although in this case, it seems like the fire spread absurdly fast, and I'll not be surprised if the investigation finds the cladding held the burning insulation to the building, helped the burning parts fall inside the building and kept it going that way. It was like one of those candles that have a wick around the outside instead of up the middle.
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if it got to the point were you need oxygen tanks and fireproof kit to go down the stairs then I think I'd rather abseil... not to mention a climbing rope and a few harnesses are much easier to store and have a dual recreational use... (I've got some a few ft away from me at the moment)
 
On every corner of should be a simple slide ladder down external fire escape, like every tall residential building in NewYork has. Safety cannot be disregarded because it's unsightly
 
Django x2 said:
On every corner of should be a simple slide ladder down external fire escape, like every tall residential building in NewYork has. Safety cannot be disregarded because it's unsightly
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I don't think modern high rises have them...
IIRC they were often fitted as an afterthought on older low rises, they would have been utterly useless in this sort of instance where the fire was spreading from the outside of the building.
You're probably better off improving the fire resistance of the windows (which doesn't work if people can open them).
 
Diddums said:
Erm, no. If you saw the regulations we have to adhere to it'd really change your mind. This block was built before the regs wee put in place, hence the lack of fire systems. Our building for example has over 600 fire doors, pre-action systems, VESDA systems, main sprinkler system and a very comprehensive fire alarm system.

When I was in the states last I was amazed at how backwards they can be when it comes to life critical systems and procedures.
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I have worked for the council in the past and I am aware of the regs. The lack of retrofitting is part of the problem here, especially when there was a huge renovation, it should be mandatory to adopt new standards periodically.
 
Id imagine a side ladder in this instance would have caused more deaths than saved. Imagine all the plonkers climbing UP IT when there isn't a fire.
 
Rosbif said:
Id imagine a side ladder in this instance would have caused more deaths than saved. Imagine all the plonkers climbing UP IT when there isn't a fire.
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doesn't NYC already have a solution to this in that the last bit of the ladder/steps covering the first floor to the ground swings or slides down when needed but isn't generally accessible from the ground
 
I feel really really sorry for those affected. This should not happen in this day and age. A lot of people have questions to answer too. Great for the community to get together and help all those affected.
 
Our local community up north shy of Liverpool are getting together and collecting any spare clothes, bedding, none perishables, nappies etc. We have a guy traveling down Friday with all local donations. I really do love it when people come together and help each other out at the most needed times <3
 
Yeah its good the community is offering so much support. Has the government done anything about it yet? A few vans have gone from here giving bedding and baby stuff as that was what was needed.

It does seem like in these circumstances the community does pull together and offer amazing support
 
Wizzfizz said:
Our local community up north shy of Liverpool are getting together and collecting any spare clothes, bedding, none perishables, nappies etc. We have a guy traveling down Friday with all local donations. I really do love it when people come together and help each other out at the most needed times <3
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while it is nice and they've got good intentions you should perhaps let him know that they've already got more than they can cope with and he should check for further updates before heading down

http://metro.co.uk/2017/06/14/peopl...tims-that-council-cant-take-any-more-6709188/
 
Do you like to moan for the sake of it? If there's too much then it'll be handed out to local charitys in the local area, understand that.
 
Maybe I'm missing something but that seemed a bit harsh in reply :confused:.


On the upside it's good to hear they have too much rather than too little. Hopefully the excess gets distributed to others in need.
 
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