A full scale fire rescue with the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service has been staged at the new Castle View Retirement Village at Helston Lane, Windsor, which opens this Autumn.
Taking the lead after a further fire tragedy at a care home in Stevenage just last week and Grenfell, Castle Retirement Living has put fire safety to the top of its list. The full training exercise, fronted by watch manager Matt Weldon and teams from the local area took three hours and involved three fire engines and a team of 15 firefighters to stage a mock rescue.
Robin Hughes, managing director, Castle Retirement Living, says: “Beyond our enhanced fire safety strategy for the development including a sprinkler system, a fire resistant concrete structure and multiple staircases, the exercise proved that all residents that move into Castle View should be reassured about the highest level of fire safety.
“All balconies were proven to be fully accessible by the fire brigade and its aerial ladder platform can also sit on the sky deck of the development’s Castle View Sky Lounge.”
RBFRS’s watch manager Matt Weldon, comments: “The exercise was successful for a number of reasons, the site’s generous access allowed the brigade to manoeuvre our vehicles into effective positions, this aided the crews in performing their duties.
"There is also compelling evidence that fire sprinkler systems save lives, prevent property loss and limit environmental damage. RBFRS strongly recommends the provision of sprinklers as part of a building’s overall fire safety solution.”
Once completed, Castle View Windsor will provide homes for over 150 local residents for the over 55s and upwards. Robin Hughes adds: “The findings from the Grenfell enquiry will take time to unfold and during our build we decided to take the lead on fire safety by building a concrete frame, installing sprinklers in all corridors. This exercise also demonstrated beyond doubt that every apartment balcony along with the sky deck is accessible to the fire brigade.”
