We are aware you may have questions and concerns regarding works required at Compass House.
We hope that this customer hub will answer some of these questions, including false fire alarm activations, fire safety and more. We hope you find this useful, and we’ll be updating this page further as more information becomes available.
What is Orbit’s plan to reduce and eliminate the false fire alarm activations?
We’ve instructed an independent specialist to carry out an inspection of the fire detection and alarm system. Their report is expected by the end of June and will include recommendations for any remedial work or modifications required to reduce the number of false alarms. We’ll share the outcomes of this with you as soon as we can.
How long will the temporary communal fire alarm system be in situ and what is Orbit’s target date to remove it by?
The temporary alarm system will remain in place until remediation work at your building has been completed. I’m sorry we can’t provide any timescales right now, but please be assured we’re dedicated to putting in place a clear long-term plan for Compass House. We’re currently working with external technical specialists to assess and plan the works required.
What is the exact extent of the fire compartmentation issues at Compass House and what parts of the building are affected by the fire compartmentation requirement that does not meet current fire safety regulations?
The Fire Risk Assessment recommended that we undertook a compartmentation survey. We’re currently working with technical specialists to understand the outcomes of the compartmentation survey and any remedial work required. We’ve installed the fire alarm system in your homes as an additional safety measure until any necessary remedial work is complete.
What certification has Orbit received to ensure the building remains safe to live in?
As we have reiterated, your safety is our upmost priority, and we take seriously our responsibility to act on the professional assessment and recommendations of the independent fire risk assessors. The recommendation was to install the fire alarm system as an additional safety measure. We consulted with the fire service on this, and we’ll receive the fire alarm certification once the system is fully commissioned.
What is the current length of time each flat is fire retardant, is this less than the minimum requirement of 30 minutes?
Where a ‘Stay Put’ strategy is in place, the Building Regulations require that each individual home has 60 minutes of fire protection. Our independent experts believe the wall and ceiling detail in your building mean that this timeframe would be less than 60 minutes. Therefore, we’ve acted on the recommendations of the fire safety assessors to put additional safety measures in place and invested in the fire alarm system. We also worked closely with the fire service and they agree that changing the stay put policy to simultaneous evacuation is the right course of action.
How can I find out more about fire safety?
We’ve got more general information on fire safety on our customer website. Please talk to us if you have any questions or concerns.
Who can I contact if I have any questions or concerns?
You can find information on all the ways you can contact us here or call us on 0800 678 1221.If you have hearing loss or a speech impairment, you can call 18001 0800 678 1221.
Help and support
Better Days
As an Orbit customer, you have access to our wide-ranging package of free support services Better Days. More information can be found in the Help & support section of our customer website or you can talk to us on 0800 678 1221
Letter from Interim Director of Property Improvements