Roundhill Close

• The sprinkler system has been installed into all 50 flats and is now up and running
• Communal alarm issues identified and resolved by incorporating time delay on the alarm panel as agreed with Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service
• Fire stopping above the ceiling line in communal areas completed and checked as compliant
• Remediation work to communal fire doors completed and checked as compliant
• Fire stopping to ceilings in staircase lobbies completed and checked as compliant

• Repositioning of the flat front doorset is required so that they are fixed directly into the structural members of the frame including the replacement of some of the doors and frames
• Fire stopping around the soil and vent pipes in the kitchen and bathrooms where they pass through the ceiling of the apartments
• Works to the service rise doors and floors within one of the communal riser cupboards

The programme of works within the flats will be carried out in three separate phases due to the length of time required for each phase of the works, and the contractor envisages working in two flats at a time to undertake the fire stopping works. We had previously advised the programme was anticipated to complete in late 2024, this has now shifted to early 2025.

• The initial phase of the works will be the installation of the sprinkler system and the boxing in of the pipework which will take two to three days in each flat
• The second phase of the works will be the relocation of the flat front doors and the fire stopping around the soil vent pipes in the kitchen and bathroom plus any other remedial fire stopping within the flats. The relocation of the flat front door will take one day to complete. The fire stopping works will take two weeks per flat to complete
• The third phase of the works will be redecoration work within the flats and this will take one week per flat to complete
• Once all of the flat front doors have been redecorated the communal corridors will all be redecorated

• We continue to liaise with Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire Rescue Service to ensure appropriate measures are in place to keep residents safe
• The evacuation policy was changed from ‘stay put’ to ‘simultaneous evacuation’​
• The provision of a ‘waking watch’ system has been provided. This is undertaken by a trained personnel who patrol all floors and the perimeter of the building to ensure that any fire situation is detected, the alarm raised, and any evacuation managed​
• The installation of a fire detection system (with battery back-up) within the communal areas of the block with wireless sounders was installed on the ceiling of the entrance hall/lobby in each flat​
• Ensuring that the appointment of organisations and operatives are suitably trained and qualified to undertake the works
• The appointment by the council of a specialist fire consultant to oversee all remedial works and ensure compliance with regulations

Vistry (previously known as Drew Smith) is committed to working with residents in order to carry out the works and to ensure that the safety of the residents are at the heart of what they do.

The sprinkler works will take two days and the work to the kitchen, bathroom and the flat front doors will take three weeks, this includes one week to redecorate the front door.

Vistry (previously known as Drew Smith) are responsible for the safety of your property and your possessions. They will be asked to ensure your flat will remain exactly as it’s left.

The works are being undertaken by accredited specialists under Vistry supervision.

The council have also appointed an independent fire safety specialist to monitor the works.

The operatives have provided their accreditation for the works that are being undertaken.

The council are also visiting the building regularly to assess the situation.

This is due to the fire safety regulations.

Sprinklers were not installed at the time of construction as they were not required under the fire safety legislation in force at the time.

In the event of a fire, typically, only the sprinkler closest to the fire will activate, spraying water directly over the fire.

The water from the sprinkler head cools the hot fire gases, so in nearly all cases, there is not enough heat to activate the next nearest sprinkler. This leaves the rest of the property dry and secure.

If the fire is in your flat, or an immediate, neighbouring flat, get yourself and anyone else out of the property, close the door and call 999. Fire sprinklers will do the rest.

Currently the evacuation policy is for you to evacuate the building in the event of a fire anywhere in the building. However, following completion of all the works the building will revert to a “stay put” policy if the fire is in any other flat and you should then close your doors and windows and stay in your flat.

Once the block has reverted to “stay put”, the emergency services will tell you if they want you to leave and will arrange for a safe evacuation in that event.

The sprinklers are fully automatic and will work even if there is a power failure.

The system will continue running until the Fire Service deems it safe to turn it off.

There will be a dedicated empty flat made available to each household whilst works are being carried out to their flat.

The resident should leave the flat clean and tidy at the end of each day if they use the void flat.

Vistry (previously known as Drew Smith) will clean and tidy the flat after the works are finalised before the next residents move in.

If you have any questions or concerns or would like to discuss the matter, you can email these to: Firesafety.works@southampton.gov.uk and a member of the team will contact you.

Vistry (previously known as Drew Smith) will have a residential supervisor during the progress of the works whose number will be provided to you.

It is the responsibility of the resident to look after their animals during the works.

The flat front door will be taken off and replaced, this work will take one day.

Vistry have confirmed that any workers showing symptoms would not undertake work in residents flats regardless of vulnerability. If a resident has additional concerns they can contact Pawel, the site manager, who will work with the resident to understand how this activity can be delivered and the resident be safeguarded.

The council’s Health and Safety Officer visited Roundhill Close on Monday 18 March. Due to the nature of the works no changes in working practices could be recommended that would significantly reduce the amount of dust being produced and therefore suggestions were put forward to control and reduce the spread of dust that is being produced.

The Site Manager has since liaised with all contractors working on site, requesting they clean more frequently to help prevent dust build up and spread. The type of hoover that was being used previously has been replaced with a new hoover that has a better filter and suction. This should help to collect more of the dust during the work and prevent the spread of dust.

Residents are encouraged to use the available respite flats (flats 40 and 41) whilst works are being carried out in their flat.

What would happen if a flat located nearby the claimants flat has a sprinkler activation and water damages the claimants flat?

The council would arrange for repairs to the flat itself, however any damage to the resident’s contents or personal possessions would need to be picked up by their own contents insurance if this cover has been arranged by the tenant.

What would happen if a sprinkler head in the claimants flat falsely activates or leaks causing damage by no fault of the claimant?

Same response as previous, however, the reason for the false activation would be investigated in terms of determining whether the cost of repair and/or claim could either be recovered from, or the claim passed to, the installer of the system or manufacturer of the equipment.

There have been no false activations as a result of the failure of the equipment to date.

If a resident is not happy with the work, the council would make a case to Vistry to request they find a solution that enables residents to have their flat returned to how it was before the works were carried out.

In the cases where flat fire doors need to be repositioned further into the communal area this will create a small gap between the finish of the existing flooring and the old door threshold. To resolve this, Vistry have suggested using a larger wooden or aluminium threshold strip to bridge this gap. If the resident is not willing to accept the threshold strip then Vistry would make an appointment with residents to discuss the works and will review each flat to find a solution.

Vistry start their working day at 8:30 but will do their best to avoid using the lift where possible and have made every effort to avoid using the lift during school drop off and pick up times which has helped the issue.

This has been passed onto the Housing Management Team to find out if this can be facilitated.

This has been passed onto the Housing Management Team to find out if this can be facilitated.

This has been passed onto the Housing Management Team to find out if this can be facilitated.

Other engineers can work on the system and additional surveys have been taking place to identify the root cause of the problems. Once the cause has been identified, the council will update residents.

The contractors are doing everything they can to minimise the inconvenience and disruption to residents. However, in order to have the critical works complete, there will be a degree of disturbance.

There are two respite flats (flats 40 and flats 41) available for residents who are having work completed in their flats.

If you experience damage, loss or harm to yourself or your belongings, arising from, or in connection with the works then you may be eligible to submit a claim for compensation against the council. There is however no automatic right to compensation and a claim would only be considered if it is deemed that the council has been negligent (i.e., that the council has done, or failed to do something, that has caused or contributed to the loss, damage or injury) and is legally liable to pay compensation. Where appropriate, it may be necessary for a claim to be referred to the contractor to deal with and respond to. Claims from individual residents seeking compensation for the general disruption, inconvenience and overall dissatisfaction that they have experienced would not give rise to claim and would not be considered.

Further details are available on Insurance claims against the council or email: insurance@southampton.gov.uk.

It has been necessary to increase rent across all of our housing stock, further details are available on Why are we proposing to increase rents?

As a landlord, the council needs to carry out an ongoing programme of works across the city where residents are affected. There is no current policy to provide a reduction in rent when works take place.

Flats 40 and 41 have been converted into respite flats with furniture and small appliances including a kettle, toaster and microwave will be provided. There is no toilet roll or toiletries available, so please bring your own.

For the two weeks that the fire safety work is planned to take place in a resident’s flat, residents will be given exclusive access to one of the respite flats. This space is only accessible to the assigned resident, a private space to make your own until your flat is returned.

Currently 46 Roundhill Close is operating a simultaneous evacuation strategy, when the fire alarm is heard residents should evacuate the building. 

Once the sprinkler system goes live we will ask our Fire Risk Assessment company Tersus to undertake a new Fire Risk Assessment and review of the evacuation strategy.

Based on the outcome of the assessment the evacuation strategy may be reviewed.

We are in contact with Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service (H&IWFRS) to update them on the work at 46 Roundhill Close and should the Fire Risk Assessment confirm reverting back to a Stay Put/Defend strategy, we will inform H&IWFRS of this decision.

At that point the waking watch will be stood down and residents will be informed of the change in strategy making clear the date at which the policy will change.

You will receive further communication from us should the policy change so for the meantime the simultaneous evacuation continues.

A Stay Put/Defend strategy is designed to keep people safe when they are not in an area directly affected by fire and prevents putting people at risk of meeting a fire when trying to evacuate. Fire is contained within each compartment and residents do not need to evacuate unless a fire is discovered within their own flat. If this is the case all occupants should leave, closing doors within their flat behind them where the sprinkler system and design of the flat is designed to contain the fire.