§ Mr. FatchettTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether a fire certificate has been issued for Quarry House, Leeds, and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BurtAn application to the Home Office for the issue of a fire certificate was made in July 1992. Such certificates are not normally issued until all defects within a new building, however small, have been rectified. The Home Office has confirmed that there is an extremely good fire prevention system in Quarry house, and there are no doubts about its effectiveness. The Home Office has begun the final scheduled inspection of the building prior to the issue of a fire certificate.
§ Mr. FatchettTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the date of the inspection for fire safety at Quarry house, Leeds(a) before the opening of the building, (b) between the opening of the building and 9 June 1994 and (c) since 10 June 1994; and if he will list those carrying out the inspection.
§ Mr. BurtThe construction of Quarry house commenced in November 1990 and the building was completed and occupied in three separate phases, the first phase being ready on 6 July 1992. The following site inspections were carried out
(a) before the phased occupations:
25 April 1991
Property Services Agency (PSA) Fire Officer and PSA
Building Control Section
May 1991 to July 1992
Site meetings and inspections involving PSA Fire Officer and PSA Building Control held at monthly intervals
30 March 1992
West Yorkshire Fire Brigade and PSA Fire Officer
June 1992
Weekly inspections by PSA Fire Officer, with further unannounced visits, to review fire precautions and evacuation procedures
8 June 1992
Witness testing of fire alarm system by Home Office Inspectorate, Health and Safety Executive, PSA Fire Officer and PSA Building Control Section
6 July 1992
PSA Fire Officer inspection immediately prior to, and following occupation of Phase 1 of building
August 1992
PSA Fire Officer witness testing of atria smoke extraction systems
1 September 1992
PSA Fire Officer inspection immediately prior to phase 2 occupation by staff
18 November 1992
Home Office inspectorate and Health and Safety Executive visited, and made further visit within 7 days
5 February 1993
PSA Fire Officer inspection immediately prior to and following Phase 3 occupation by staff
1 March 1993
PSA Fire Officer final inspection
(b) between full occupation and 9 June 1994
There were no formal fire inspections between February 1993 and June 1994.
(c) since 10 June 1994
13 June 1994
Home Office Inspectorate