Flat Fire in Paddington

London Fire Brigade sent Four fire engines and around 20 firefighters were called to a fire in a block of flats on Hyde Park Square in Paddington, W2. An aerial ladder platform also attended the incident.

The fire affected an electrical plant room on the first floor of the eight story block as well as ducting – the building’s extraction system – between the basement and roof.

Crews remained at the scene for some time to ensure all the floors in the block were safe from fire and that any hot-spots in the ducting that remained were fully extinguished.

London Fire Risk Assessments advice: To comply with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 blocks of Flats should have a Fire Risk Assessment for the communal areas – part of London Fire Risk Assessments Inspection/audit is to assess the condition of the Electrical supply and distribution and to check that the facilities have been tested, inspected and maintained to BS: 7671 2008. In this case the buildings extraction system was an additional consideration for the Fire Brigade – if a hot spot in the ducting re-ignited the fire could possible have spread throughout the building. Any Ventilation or Extraction systems should be regularly inspected, tested and maintained to BS: 9999:2008 /BS: 9991:2011. If you are concerned check your Fire Risk Assessment and if your are not satisfied don’t be afraid to ask question it is better to be safe than sorry!

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