Thanet becomes first to receive KFRS building information plates

21 October 2021

Public, Home fire safety

Residential high-rise buildings in Thanet have become the first in Kent to be fitted with new information plates to help navigate firefighters in an emergency. 

Invicta House in Margate, and Trove Court and Kennedy House in Ramsgate, now have external plaques featuring key information about the premises, such as the number of floors, flats and lifts, as well as the location of water supplies, which could be vital in the event of a fire. 

The initiative was launched in the county by Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS), in partnership with Thanet District Council (TDC). 

Invicta House

KFRS Station Manager, Ray Harney, who was the lead project officer for the scheme, said: “The main purpose of the plate is to provide crews with vital information when they first arrive at an incident. 

The visual facts will add to the existing information KFRS holds electronically about residential high-rise buildings across Kent and Medway. 

Ray added: “We’re really pleased to have worked with Thanet District Council on the launch of this initiative and hope to install more of these plates at high -rise buildings throughout the county.” 

Cllr Jill Bayford, Cabinet Member for Housing at TDC, said: “The safety of our residents is of utmost importance to us, and this project is a great example of the benefits of our ongoing partnership with Kent Fire and Rescue Service.”

 

Photo: KFRS crews outside Invicta House, Margate, with Claire Pryce, Asset Manager at TDC and Mark Soave from MEARS, who installed the plates.