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The role of a fire warden has become more widely known in the media due to the tragic events at Grenfell Tower. However, what has not been explained is the important role these wardens play in the safety of a building. There is also a lack of education within the industry on what is required under the law to have a fire warden on site. The role of a fire warden involves both proactive day to day duties and reactive emergency tasks which usually involves the following: Checking all fire exits and rout

A watch manager begged his superiors to abandon the ‘stay-put’ advice given to Grenfell Tower residents within minutes of arriving at the burning block, the official inquiry was told. Norman Harrison, who was watch manager from Wembley, was called to the scene at 1:15am – 20 minutes after London Fire Brigade received its first call – and quickly realised something was wrong. Mr Harrison, who has 25 years’ experience, told the inquiry in a written statement that he had “never seen a fire like it” and the i

"Come senators, congressmen Please heed the call Don’t stand in the doorway Don’t block up the hall For he that gets hurt Will be he who has stalled The battle outside ragin' Will soon shake your windows  and rattle your walls For the times they are a-changin" Words by Bob Dylan but could this sentiment be also attributed to the radical proposals laid out by The Rt Hon Lord Justice Bean, Professor Nicholas Hopkins, Stephen Lewis, Professor David Ormerod QC and Nicholas Paines QC, the Law Commissi

Buildings are far more than just the elevations and internal spaces that people see and use each day. Each building, estate, client and occupier will have their own individual requirements. We would advocate that Planned Preventative Maintenance, when properly directed, is one of the property owner’s most important management tools with each building receiving its own dedicated survey, review and important maintenance programme. Mechanical, electrical and out of sight “no glory” elements are too often ign

It’s unbearable to think about, but residential fires happen. But what do property managers, landlords and tenants need to do to prevent and in the event of a blaze? We look at the official fire brigade advice. Modern day life means residential fires are not as often as they used to be. The demise of fossil fuels being used to heat homes, less gas being used and people choosing alternatives to chip pans mean risks have fallen. Whether that means there is a blasé attitude towards fires in the home is open

Issue 97 of News on the Block has now been published. This issues includes some of the following articles:  Bid to attract young talent to property industry  Man calls for change in the law after losing his £600,000 flat Window pane from London penthouse kills coach driver Are government plans to regulate the residential block management sector welcome or a burden? What you need to know about flat fires Fire officer begged to change ‘stay-put’ advice - the latest from the Grenfell Inquiry What

Why we welcome the move towards regulation   The only way to protect leaseholders is for the government to introduce regulation of the industry, argues Dr Nigel Glen. The government’s move towards regulation of the residential block management sector has been heartily welcomed by ARMA - it's something that we have campaigned in favour of for many years. Why? Because we feel that standards need to be raised in the industry and although ARMA’s self-regulatory regime is a significant step in that directi

Almost a quarter of people in the UK consider poor quality as a major problem when choosing a new-build flat compared to an older property, a survey has found.   The study by BLP Insurance discovered that 24% of those questioned were concerned about the quality of newly built homes.   More people in the north of England (29%) were worried about quality than those living in London and the south east (21%).   The survey also revealed that 29% of people do not believe there were any benefits in purchasing a

A leaseholder has called for a change in the law after his flat was seized in a row about redecorating his home.   Charles McCadden, who says he has been left with nothing, bought the £600,000 apartment in Brent, north west London, with inheritance money.   He redecorated the flat soon after moving in and fitted a new kitchen and bathroom. But he failed to consult the freeholder about his plans, which is a requirement of the lease.   As a result the freeholder, Dr Afshan Malik, who lives in a downstairs f

Best-practice guides to encourage more talented young people to consider working in the property industry have been launched.   The British Property Federation (BPF) hopes they will help the industry increase its “brand recognition” and be considered as a viable career choice by those who have recently graduated or enjoyed exam success.   The first of the series of BPF guides was published last month, with a focus on socio-economic diversity. It identifies the most-effective ways property companies can pr

Plans for a new block of flats have been turned down over fears that terrorists could use them to attack cruise liners and Royal Navy ships.   The proposal for the development at North Shields Marina, which is near the Port of Tyne, were rejected after council chiefs heard about the concerns.   Andy Khan, head of estates at Port of Tyne, told councillors that the developer’s proposals for windows which are sealed shut would not thwart a terrorist planning an attack from the flat block.    He said: “This s

An interior designer who failed to pay up when a basement extension of her apartment damaged her neighbour's flat has been hit with another £6,000 in costs by a judge. Olivia Walton, 28, was ordered to pay nearly £120,000 to her upstairs neighbour Michele Napp after the building work left floors and walls cracked, a window subsided and caused her tenant to leave her Chelsea home.   The award was made in April by a surveyor under the Party Wall Act, but Miss Walton – whose property is worth £3.1million – f