Fire safety partnerships for social housing first of its kind in UK

The UK’s first co-ordinated fire safety partnership for housing has been launched in response to what is said to be an increasing focus on building safety.

Set up by Community Housing Cymru, in partnership with South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, the Primary Authority Scheme (PFAS) has been created to give housing associations in Wales access to free advice on fire safety enforcement, legal issues, compliance and existing protocols.

Open to all CHC members, with a Working Group set up to support the PFAS, responsible for commissioning advice on behalf of the sector, it will ensure a higher standard of consistent regulation of the Fire Safety Order.

Huw Jakeway, Chief Fire Officer at South Wales Fire and Rescue Service added:

“South Wales Fire and Rescue Service are delighted to announce the launch of our Primary Authority Scheme in partnership with Community Housing Cymru”

“This is the very first coordinated scheme of its kind in Wales and will ensure a high standard of consistent regulation of the Fire Safety Order”

“We look forward to working with Community Housing Cymru in supporting registered social landlords to implement risk reduction measures, assisting them in prioritising works needed for the benefit of their own business and for the wider community.”

First Choice Housing Association, which owns around 700 homes in Wales, was the first landlord to sign up to the scheme, while 10,000-home Wales and West were also involved in establishing the scheme.