What’s the fire evacuation procedure at Grange House?
Your safety is our number one priority and it’s important that you’re aware of the fire evacuation procedure at Grange House and why it’s in place.
Like many other residential buildings in England, Grange House is designed and constructed so that in the unlikely event of a fire, it’s contained within the home where it started.
In line with all relevant building safety regulations, there are no alarms in communal areas. Instead, each home has its own alarm system that sounds if fire is detected within that individual property.
This system performed as expected when the fire at Grange House occurred as the fire was contained within the home where it started. The fire service approached other homes that they felt needed to evacuate once they had assessed the situation.
If the alarm sounds in your home, leave your home immediately and make your way to the meeting point. Once safe, call 999 to report the fire. The fire service will attend and confirm when it’s safe for you to return to your home.
We’ve got more general information on fire safety on our customer website and there’s a host of advice and guidance on London Fire Brigade’s website. Please talk to us if you have any questions or concerns.
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Help and support
Better Days
As an Orbit customer, you have access to our wide-ranging package of free support services Better Days. More information can be found in the Help & support section of our customer website or you can talk to us on 0800 678 1221.
Our programme of works
Work update
Wates is taking out the existing communal central stack ventilation system and replacing it with a more efficient Mechanical Extract-Ventilation (MEV) system in each individual home.
Work has now begun in individual homes to fit an MEV unit within kitchen and extract ducts will be fitted to the underside of ceilings. Any ducts that currently serve the existing communal system will be removed and sealed and roof vents removed.
Wates will also be carrying out improvement works while they are working in your home. This will include removing any asbestos found, fitting fire safety enhancements and removing the old hot water tanks where necessary. New kitchens and bathrooms will also be fitted in some homes.
When will you need access to my home to carry out these works?
This work will take place as part of a staged process between January and August. You’ll receive a pack explaining exactly what work will take place in your home and confirming dates, ahead of Wates starting work. Because of the nature of the work, we will need to move you to temporary accommodation for some of the time when Wates is working in your home. Christina Brown-Smith, your Resident Liaison Officer, is on hand to go through the process with you and answer any questions you may have.
The new respite unit outside the main building is open and has facilities including a kitchen, bathroom and lounge, where you can spend time in comfort while they are working in your home.
New boilers
All boiler surveys have been carried out by Assistant Site Manager. Where replacements or updates are required, this will be done as part of the work in your home, when you are in temporary accommodation.
Next phase
The next phase of work will be to connect individual homes to the building mains water supply. This phase will begin in August 2025.
Ongoing repairs and maintenance
Please continue to report any repairs or maintenance issues directly to us by calling 0800 678 1221, emailing info@orbit.org.uk or filling in the contact form at obitcustomerhub.org.uk/contact-us.
Your Resident Liaison Officer
Your Resident Liaison Officer, Christina Brown-Smith, is your first point of contact for any questions or concerns about the works that Wates are carrying out at Grange House.
Christina will keep in touch with you and ensure you receive regular updates throughout the works. She’ll work with the project team to minimise any disruption and liaise with you if access is needed to your home.
Christina is based in the project office – the blue temporary cabin outside the car park at Grange House. You can speak to Christina in-person, or you can email Christina.Brown-Smith@wates.co.uk or call 07933 182136.
For any enquiries unrelated to the works at Grange House, please use the usual Orbit contact channels, details of which can be found here.
