THE main contractor behind the Glasgow School of Art restoration has a history of fire safety failings, it has been revealed.
Kier Construction bosses insist that heat and smoke detectors were installed at the Mackintosh building, which suffered devastating damage from a major blaze on Friday.
However the contractor was previously in the spotlight after an inquiry ruled their work on the DG One leisure centre in Dumfries included "extensive failures" in fire safety measures.
Kier Construction claim that their fire safety strategy for the Mackintosh building included 24/7 security and a fire patrol team - however when asked if these precautions were in place on the night of the fire they refused to comment.
The contractor was working on restoring the Glasgow School of Art following a previous major fire in 2014.
There is no suggestion that Kier Construction is responsible for the recent blaze.
Fire chiefs will be examining fire safety measures as part of the investigation into the cause of the blaze.
Assistant Chief Officer David McGowan stated "we will uncover the facts" though it is expected that the investigation will take a "significant period of time."
It could be up to six months before answers are forthcoming on how the fire began, though it is understood that it began in the east wing of the Mackintosh building.
The art school and neighbouring ABC arena were left as burnt-out shells after a major blaze tore through the structures on Friday evening.
Glasgow City Council is reportedly coming to a consensus that the majority of the building's exterior will be saveable, barring the eastern gable.
Kier Construction was previously slammed for its work on the DG One leisure centre in Dumfries; a structure that cost £17 million but had to close just six years after opening due to extensive defects in its construction.
A recently-published inquiry criticised what it described as a "virtually unprecedented" number of faults.
Professor John Cole, who led the probe, wrote: “This inquiry would particularly wish to bring attention to the extensive failures in regard to the omissions and inadequate installation of fire-stopping discovered throughout the DG One building.
“The scale of these omissions served to completely compromise the fire safety strategy for the building.”
Cole claimed Kier Construction was “unquestionably” responsible for the defective work. Taxpayers will now be funding the repairs that will cost more than it did to buld the centre in the fist place.
A Kier spokeswoman said: “An agreed fire safety strategy was implemented for the build phase of the Mackintosh restoration project, which combined measures for the protection of all those entering the site to work and to alert the authorities in the event of an outbreak of fire.
“These included a smoke and heat detection system and regular evacuation tests as well as 24 hour, 7 days a week security and fire warden patrols by a team of three guards, originally appointed by the client after the 2014 fire and subsequently by Kier.
“We continue to work with and support Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and our client as they determine the next steps for the Mackintosh building and site.
“We have a passionate team of local construction and crafts people, skilled conservators, supply chain and engineering specialists who have worked incredibly hard on this iconic landmark, and together we are all keen to do whatever we can to help moving forward.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel