NHolst defends DSS hq

Allegations in last week's Daily Mirror that the new DSS HQ, in Leeds is a 'fire trap' have been vigorously denied by the client and contractor. The œ55 million D&B showpiece, Quarry House, was built for the DSS and DoH under a fast-track programme by main contractor Norwest Holst with Amec as project manager.

The fire trap allegations came from subcontractor Chris Richardson, who claims that parts of the building's fire protection system are seriously deficient. Richardson was brought in by Norwest Holst to provide partitioning labour and undertake remedial work on 820 of the building's 1,420 fire dampers - electronically operated metal shutters usually housed in ducts.

Richardson was fired two weeks ago following complaints from his workmen that they had not been paid. He claims that 90% of the 300 fire dampers he had looked at were useless and that fire breaks and partitions were missing. He also claims he was told to work between 7pm and 6am so as to keep his work strictly confidential. There were also separate allegations that the fire alarm and sprinkler system was faulty.

The DSS and Norwest Holst concede there are problems with some of the fire dampers, but say these are installation problems and that all 1,420 dampers are operational. They say the fault arose from lack of co-ordination between damper and partition installation. Both emphatically deny that there are any problems with the fire alarm and sprinkler system or that there is any risk to staff.

The DSS has issued a statement saying: 'The work has necessarily been undertaken outside normal working hours to minimise inconvenience to staff. At no time has the need for this work put the personal safety of staff working in the building at risk. The building has regularly and independently been inspected by fire precaution specialists as each phase has been completed.'

Norwest Holst is still operating under its 12-month guarantee and is preparing the building for a fire certificate application. A spokeswoman said: 'There are no fire breaks or fire partition walls missing. All are of the correct guide/standard. The work being carried out is at the junction of the wall and wall damper.'

The problems with the fire dampers were picked up by Norwest Holst itself. The contractor brought the problem to the client's attention and engaged WS Atkins to provide remedial work proposals.

A WS Atkins spokesman says: 'We were engaged to provide advice and were paid a fee. In fact our advice was not then taken by the contractor.'

Norwest Holst says the WS Atkins proposals were 'subsequently amended after discussions with the fire officer, damper manufacturer and partition manufacturer.' It says that 50% of the 820 dampers have been rectified and the rest are being seen to.