News / Barton House
Council says it’s now safe for residents to return to Barton House
Residents of Barton House are able to return to their homes from Tuesday following the publication of a number of reports confirming that the building is safe.
Avon Fire & Rescue Service say that they “support the decision to allow residents to reoccupy Barton House, as the risks previously identified have been addressed”.
Bristol City Council’s summary report says that following remedial works including the installation a central fire alarm system and additional fireproof padding of existing steel supports in certain areas of the building, it is – in the words of the Ridge structural robustness assessment – “suggested that the building is at relatively low risk of disproportionate collapse and therefore Barton House would behave adequately during an accidental event”.
is needed now More than ever
In Arup’s structural and structural fire review, the firm “considers there is a low risk of disproportionate collapse of structure in Barton House in the event of a single dwelling or storeroom fire”.
A number of residents of the tower block in Barton House have remained living there since it was evacuated on November 14 following concerns about its structural robustness.
Other residents have been housed in the Holiday Inn hotel overlooking the Bearpit, with some residents recently staging protests within City Hall claiming that the council has not been listening to their concerns.
Bristol24/7 understands that even with Barton House now deemed safe for residents to return to, a number of them remain reticent to go back without further assurances from the city council.
The 15-storey Barton House was built in 1958 and contains 98 flats – photo: Martin Booth
An update published by Bristol City Council on Monday evening said: “We have written to Barton House residents this evening to confirm the publication of the building survey reports from Ridge and Partners LLP and Arup, and a summary report of investigations, findings and actions.
“These reports, along with assurance from Avon Fire and Rescue Service and our assessment of the report findings, confirm Barton House is safe for their return from Tuesday 20 February 2024.
Survey reports: We thanked residents for their patience and co-operation over the last few months and confirmed that detailed survey reports and additional information from our contractors have been published in full.
“These reports demonstrate the findings as relayed to residents in meetings at City Hall in December 2023 and January 2024.
“As previously confirmed, safety measures designed to be in place to support the structure of Barton House are in place.
“We confirmed that the recommendations made within these reports have been followed. All essential work to install a central fire alarm system is now complete. All additional fireproof padding of steel supports in the building has also been successfully completed to an approved specification.
“Flats unoccupied since the evacuation of residents in November 2023 were also subject to a legionella testing regime following advice from health and safety officers. Housing officers will advise residents when all tests have been satisfactorily completed for their flat.”
Main photo: Martin Booth
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