A full scale fire rescue with the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service has been staged at the new Castle View Retirement Village at Helston Lane, Windsor, which opens this Autumn.
Taking the lead after a further fire tragedy at a care home in Stevenage just last week and Grenfell, Castle Retirement Living has put fire safety to the top of its list. The full training exercise, fronted by watch manager Matt Weldon and teams from the local area took three hours and involved three fire engines and a team of 15 firefighters to stage a mock rescue.
Said Robin Hughes, Managing Director, Castle Retirement Living, who was at the training exercise: “Beyond our enhanced fire safety strategy for the development including a sprinkler system, a resistant concrete structure and multiple staircases, the exercise proved that all residents that move into Castle View should be reassured about the highest level of safety.
“All balconies were proven to be fully accessible by the fire brigade and its aerial ladder platform can also sit on the sky deck of the development’s Castle View Sky Lounge.”
RBFRS’s Watch Manager Matt Weldon, commented: “The exercise was successful for a number of reasons, the site’s generous access allowed the brigade to manoeuvre our vehicles into effective positions, this aided 
the crews in performing their duties. There is also compelling evidence that fire sprinkler systems save lives, prevent property loss and limit environmental damage. RBFRS strongly recommends the provision of sprinklers as part of a building’s overall fire safety solution.”
Once completed, Castle View Windsor will provide homes for over 150 local residents for the over 55s and upwards. Added Robin Hughes: “The findings from the Grenfell enquiry will take time to unfold and during our build we decided to take the lead on fire safety by building a concrete frame, installing sprinklers in all corridors. This exercise also demonstrated beyond doubt that every apartment balcony along with the sky deck is accessible to the brigade.”
Four show apartments at Castle View will be ready for viewing in May just after the Royal Wedding weekend and local residents will continue to have priority reservation until 30th June 2018 when the apartments go on general release.
