Kier defends fire safety strategy after Glasgow blaze

Grant Prior 7 years ago
Share

Kier has defended its fire safety strategy following criticism in the wake of the Glasgow School of Art blaze.

The contractor was working on a major restoration project when the inferno engulfed the site on Friday might.

It was the second blaze to hit the historic site in four years.

Glasgow MP Paul Sweeney told the Scottish Sun: “I think we need to ask hard questions about the judgement of the contractors and the governors at the school about whether they had the right processes in place and the right oversight.

“What was the contractor doing? Why wasn’t there CCTV, thermal camera or automatic links to fire brigade? I would have thought all of that would have been in place.

“We need to investigate exactly what the circumstances were and how the fire was able to get so badly out of control before anyone realised what was going on.”

A Kier spokesperson said: “An agreed fire safety strategy was implemented for the build phase of the Mackintosh restoration project, which combined measures for the protection of all those entering the site to work and to alert the authorities in the event of an outbreak of fire.

“These included a smoke and heat detection system and regular evacuation tests as well as 24 hour, 7 days a week security and fire warden patrols by a team of three guards, originally appointed by the client after the 2014 fire and subsequently by Kier.

“We continue to work with and support Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and our client as they determine the next steps for the Mackintosh building and site.

“We have a passionate team of local construction and crafts people, skilled conservators, supply chain and engineering specialists who have worked incredibly hard on this iconic landmark, and together we are all keen to do whatever we can to help moving forward.”

If the fire ravaged building can be saved from demolition it is believed restoration work this time around will cost at least £100m.

Latest news

Driver escapes injury as scaffold collapses onto van

Major three-lift scaffold fall blocks north London high street
19 hours ago

Gilbert Ash to be sold to staff

£267m turnover contractor to transition to an Employee Ownership Trust
1 day ago

M Group seals biggest-ever deal with Telent takeover

Digital infrastructure specialist deal lifts turnover to £3bn
1 day ago

Aggregates firm Ashville went down owing more than £3m

Debts revealed in Companies House update
18 hours ago

Cardo saves 100 jobs at Breyer roofing arm

Private equity-backed Welsh maintenance group continues to expand
1 day ago

Excavator knocked off lorry going under bridge

Traffic Commissioner inquiry after accident in south London
19 hours ago

Czech energy tycoon buys UK’s biggest rebar supplier

Spanish offload Celsa UK operation to be rebranded 7 Steel UK
2 days ago

Caddick Construction targets £400m turnover

Regional shake-up pays off at contracting arm
3 days ago

Redrow chief steps down after Barratt merger

Matthew Pratt leaving after 22 years
3 days ago

United Living names new property services senior team

New CEO and COO appointed to lead growth in housing upkeep and retrofit
2 days ago

Wynne triples turnover in three years to over £90m

Five-year growth strategy pays off
2 days ago

Speedy Hire blames Budget for branch closures

National Insurance rises accelerate closure programme
2 days ago

Builder gets suspended sentence for Covid loan fraud

M&E specialist inflated turnover to claim maximum loan
2 days ago

Scores of M&E firms win places on £400m CHIC framework

Axis Europe and Seddon secured spots on social housing deal
3 days ago

Coroner hears how worker was crushed under digger

Inquest opens into tragedy at Rose Builders site
3 days ago

Billington lowers 2025 forecast amid pricing pressure

Tender prices under pressure due to project delays and cancellations
3 days ago

Willmott Dixon lands Dover town centre revamp

Alliance agreed to regenerate several key council sites
3 days ago

Go-ahead for London City office-to-flats scheme

Hub's 150 Minories job in Aldgate to create 280 co-living homes
4 days ago

Wates mobilises as £200m Middlesbrough scheme approved

Gresham Street scheme includes a hotel, 240 flats and over 400 student rooms
4 days ago

Crashed M&E contractor TNA owed supply chain £7m

Sister company buys assets including company vans
4 days ago

Renaker eyes bumper 2025 despite Gateway 2 concern

Strong construction pipeline to support another record year
4 days ago

Wessex Water picks civils firms for £65m framework

Over 40 smaller firms will support AMP8 civils spending programme
4 days ago

Green light for nearly 400 flats at Leeds scheme

Three blocks up to 18 storeys approved at Armley Road
4 days ago

Subcontractors wanted across South London

Work up for grabs from main contractors and clients: Register now for Constructionline event
4 days ago

Heavy lorry ban on Severn Bridge as cables deteriorate

Crossing "not designed and built for today’s levels or weight of traffic"
4 days ago

Muse submits Oldham town centre regeneration plan

Plan advances for six sites to deliver 2000 homes, an hotel and office space
7 days ago

Construction returns to growth after two tough months

Concern grows Trump turmoil is spooking property investors
7 days ago

Skanska wins £43m Clifton Bridge deal

Contractors says scheme is a "complex project that will be delivered to tight timescales"
7 days ago

Green light for 44-storey Manchester resi tower

Developer Glenbrook to start hunt for main contractor
1 week ago

Ten win £670m Network Rail eastern region small works deal

CK Rail, QTS, Colt and Construction Marine pick up two lots
1 week ago

Contractor services