Residents of a multi-storey block of flats told a local paper that they had concerns about their safety in the event of a fire.
This is Exeter reported that Powhay Mills, in St David’s, had come under scrutiny after it was claimed that the building’s managers, Signpost Housing Association, had not provided sufficient fire safety measures.
The father of a former tenant, John Broomfield, 64, said: "There are no signs telling people how to get out of the building in an emergency and no emergency exits.
"There is only one way in and one way out, a lift and a flight of stairs. There is no fire detection system and no smoke alarms in the communal areas.
"If you live on the fourth floor, how are you going to know about a fire on the ground floor? There is no warning.”
However, the flats, which were built around 10 years ago, were investigated by Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue service, which found “no immediate concerns under the Fire Safety Order”.
"At the time of the visit the building appeared to be in a good state of the repair and the fire safety measures implemented were deemed satisfactory based on the age of the building, method of construction and design strategy," said a spokesperson from the fire service’s fire investigation support team.
"Escape lighting was in place; the officer has requested confirmation of testing and maintenance. I would emphasise that the visit was not a fully comprehensive fire safety audit but that a broadly compliant standard of fire safety was evident.
“The design strategy for this type of building is that each flat is surrounded by fire resisting construction so that a fire within the flat does not spread beyond it; the occupants will evacuate the flat but people in the other flats will not be affected.”
A request for confirmation of testing and maintenance has been made but no other action has so far been taken.
A spokesman from Signpost said: "Under Signpost’s ownership our properties are inspected every two years. On the last inspection Powhay Mills did meet the necessary regulations.
"Most of the apartments are rented out to private tenants, ie private market rent. There are nine shared-ownership properties within the scheme. Four owners have since purchased all of the shares within their homes so that they own them outright."
