What is a Single Building Assessment?
A Single Building Assessment (SBA) is a detailed fire-safety review of the whole building. It looks at the external walls, including cladding, and the shared areas inside the building. The assessment identifies any fire-safety concerns, any temporary measures needed to keep residents safe, and any longer-term work required.
What has the Single Building Assessment found?
The assessment has identified that remediation is required to parts of the external wall system at Dudhope Court, including areas of cladding and infill panels. Dundee City Council is considering the assessment findings and the recommended long-term solution.
Does this mean the building is unsafe?
The assessment means that further work is required to address parts of the external wall system. It does not mean residents need to leave the building at this stage. Immediate safeguards are in place while the longer-term solution is progressed.
What safeguards are currently in place?
Safeguards include a waking watch, continued liaison between Dundee City Council and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, warden patrols, CCTV monitoring and checks of stairs and landings. Dundee City Council will also look to complete a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan, known as a PEEP, for every resident. These arrangements are intended to support early identification of any concerns and provide reassurance while decisions are made about the long-term solution.
What is a waking watch?
A waking watch is a temporary fire-safety measure where personnel patrol the building at regular intervals to look for signs of fire or other fire-safety concerns and raise the alarm quickly if required.
What has SFRS done in response?
SFRS has increased the pre-determined attendance for any fire at Dudhope Court by one appliance, undertaken an Operational Assurance Visit, and updated operational intelligence. SFRS will also work with Dundee City Council on resident reassurance, Home Fire Safety Visits where appropriate, communication materials, familiarisation visits for operational crews and wider prevention activity if anti-social behaviour or wilful fire-raising is identified as a concern.
What is a PEEP?
A Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan, or PEEP, records any help a resident may need in an emergency. Dundee City Council will complete a PEEP for every resident so individual circumstances, vulnerabilities and support needs are understood.
What should I do if I may need help in an emergency?
Please tell Tenancy and Estates staff during the door-knocking visit, at the resident engagement session, or by contacting the Council directly. This will help ensure that your needs are recorded and followed up appropriately.
Will I be offered a Home Fire Safety Visit?
SFRS will work with Dundee City Council to undertake direct engagement with residents and will offer Home Fire Safety Visits where appropriate, particularly where residents are vulnerable or would benefit from additional fire-safety advice. If you would like Dundee City Council to make a referral on your behalf then please contact via telephone 01382 307305 or via email or speak to one of our officers on site.
What should residents do now?
Residents should follow the fire safety advice provided, keep communal areas clear, report any fire-safety concerns or damage to doors and equipment, engage with the PEEP process, and attend the resident drop-in session if they have questions or individual circumstances to discuss.
What happens next?
Dundee City Council will continue to work with SFRS while the preferred long-term solution is considered and agreed. Residents will be updated again once a decision has been made, including information about any proposed programme, likely disruption, support arrangements and what it means for individual households.