Vickers House Building Safety Contact Details
If you need to speak to us, please call 0300 304 5000 (Monday - Friday - 08:30 – 17:00), 07525 668 902 for out-of-hours, or call Axis Emergency Repairs on 0808 169 1969.
Email updates are sent coming from customer.services@estuary.co.uk
Teams meetings are held quarterly at 6.30 pm.
Vickers House Quarterly Building Safety Meeting
Microsoft Teams meetings are held quarterly at 6.30 pm.
Meeting ID: 368 793 769 153
Passcode: Hj69nK97
High Rise Building Safety
2024 has seen the introduction of various safety requirements to how all landlords manage high-rise residential buildings. During discussions regarding these important legal requirements, there were two main areas of focus highlighted. These are external wall / cladding and resident engagement.
We were prompt to respond to these instructions and quickly instructed an investigation into both high-rise external walls systems at Kings House and Vickers House.
As a result, we're proud to share that both high rise blocks have now been fully corrected and carry no external wall risk. This places the residents of in the top 29% of all social landlords in the country with all external wall/cladding concerns 100% fixed. This is something we're very proud of.
EWS1 Form Update
You may have seen in the news that there have been questions raised around some EWS1 forms. EWS1 forms are used by mortgage lenders to confirm the compliance of external wall systems, including cladding. As a result of these questions, some mortgages are being refused by a few lenders. The Institution of Fire Engineers have provided a statement, which can be found at www.ife.org.uk/home/news/details/ife-issues-a-statement
We are writing to reassure residents that the cladding to your building is safe and meets the highest level of fire safety compliance. As of April 2025, we now have new EWS1 forms in place.
If you have any questions or concerns or are in the process of selling or remortgaging your home and would like a copy of the latest EWS1 form for your building, please call us on 0300 304 5000 or email info@estuary.co.uk.
Vickers House - Building Safety Updates
This page is for residents at Vickers House to be updated on building safety matters. Please check back regularly for updates.
Fire Risk Assessment (FRA)
The last FRA was undertaken at Vickers House on 2nd September 2022, and the block was assessed as low. FRA’s are reviewed annually at this building.
If you would like any further information about the FRA, please contact us.
Evacuation Strategy
Vickers House currently has a stay put evacuation strategy in place. This means you should remain in your flat in the event of a fire unless you are at immediate risk from fire and/or smoke. If you do not feel that it safe to remain in your flat then please evacuate the building and await instruction from the Fire Service
If you see smoke or fire either in your flat or communal area of the building please call 999. Please do not assume that someone else will do this.
If you are worried or concerned about your ability, or someone in your household, to evacuate the building independently, please contact us.
External Wall System
Vickers House has two materials on the exterior:
- Metal cladding: This was replaced following the Grenfell Tower fire and now meets the standard required under current Building Regulations. We used a material which has A1 fire classification.
- Brick: Bricks have an A1 fire classification as they will not sustain or support external spread of fire. Work has now been completed to the cavity behind the brickwork and the building meets the highest standard of fire safety.
Balconies
The balconies are constructed of concrete and glass. They will not support the spread of fire; however, this is why it is important that residents do not use their balconies to store combustible material, as this could allow fire to spread.
Please do not store timber or other combustible materials on your balcony as this may affect your safety in the event of a fire.
EWS1 Forms
An EWS1 form is available upon request for Vickers House; please contact us if you require a copy.
Further information can be found on our EWS1 page.
Residents
We do ask that all residents take direct responsibility for the safety of the block by:
- Ensuring items are not left in communal areas – these could help spread fire and /or prevent escape from the building;
- Not smoking in communal areas;
- Notifying us of any repair issues in communal areas – please call 0808 169 1969.
Quarterly Building Safety Meeting Key Points
March 2025
Key Points From Building Safety Quarterly Meeting 5th March
1. Welcome by Bali Nahal, Assistant Director of Customer Services
2. Building Safety Engagement Strategy
· A Building Safety Engagement Strategy has been developed specifically for Vickers House and will be shared shortly.
3. Anti-Social Behaviour ( ASB)
- Estuary thanked customers for information regarding ASB. No further ASB has been reported since December 2024.
- Reporting ASB is everyone’s responsibility- please take a look at our ASB Service standard https://estuary.co.uk/antisocial-behaviour-standard We are only able to update customers on individual cases if they are a complainant or witness in the case.
- · Customers to continue to work closely with Rian Black, PCSO, for the local area.
- · Residents are encouraged to report safety or ASB concerns:
4. Parking
· PNC checks have been completed where vehicles have been reported.
5. EWS1 Forms
- · It was noted that some customers have concerns regarding the EWS1 forms. The following link will provide further information –
6. Onsite Building Safety visit
- A poll will be sent to customers to ask when the best time/ day would be to hold the visit.
7. Resident Concerns
- Doors and windows – there was concern regarding some windows and doors not shutting properly since the cladding installation. Pictures to be provided to CR, who will also look into individual cases.
- Red graffiti on 8th Floor stairwell has been removed from the wall, but left untidy. Nicholas Kyprianou (NK), Head of Repairs, will look into this.
- Previous door closer that had fallen down has been left in the car park; to be removed with urgency - NK
- Current leak upper ground car park; being repaired, a Surveyor has recently attended to investigate.
- · Organisational Merger- The following link provides details regarding a possible merger-
8. Ongoing Collaboration
- Electronic noticeboard- We will ensure this is reviewed on a monthly basis going forward to ensure all messages are current.
- PEEP’s- All customers are encouraged to complete the Everyone Matters for personal safety plans and profiling emails that have seen sent via email.
- 9. Next Steps
A Building Safety Walkabout will be scheduled for March 2025.
November 2024
Key Points from Building Safety Quarterly Meeting November 7
1. Introduction and Meeting Purpose
- Michael Burch (Building Safety Manager) introduced himself and emphasised:
- Resident engagement in building safety.
- Accountability of Ian Martin (Chief Executive) as the Principal Accountable Person (PAP).
- Initiation of Quarterly Building Safety Meetings.
- Block QR codes to enhance resident communication.
2. Fire Safety Protocols
- Residents reminded to stay put during a fire unless instructed otherwise.
- Fire doors to remain closed; annual checks conducted; report issues with doors.
- Communal areas must remain clear for emergency access (no bikes/scooters).
- Fire safety training will be offered to residents, including fire door checks.
3. Personal Evacuation Plans & 'Everyone Matters' Project
- Government's 'Everyone Matters' project addresses safety needs of vulnerable residents.
- Customer Ambassadors will contact residents for Personal Evacuation Plans.
4. Building Safety Measures
- Cladding replaced with A1-grade material; residents with related repair concerns should contact Michael Burch.
- Fire brigade to receive detailed building plans with evacuation routes and lift statuses.
5. Resident Concerns
- Delays in Repairs: Acknowledged incident caused by delays; prioritization promised.
- Accountability: Root cause analysis to be conducted.
- Maintenance Issues: Broken windows, damaged balcony floorboards, and lift problems noted; surveys and follow-ups planned.
- Parking Issues: Unauthorized parking blocking fire access addressed; ongoing collaboration with PCM, local authorities, and Fire Service.
- Lift Issues: Frequent breakdowns reported; strategic review of assets planned, with potential government funding assistance.
6. Ongoing Collaboration
- Residents encouraged to report safety or ASB concerns:
- Email: info@estuary.co.uk
- Phone: 0300 304 5000
- Use the ReportIt app (details forthcoming).
- Police granted fob access to Vickers House for safety measures.
7. Next Steps
- A safety walkabout will be scheduled before the next Quarterly Meeting in February (details to follow).