A day in the life

Building Safety Manager

bpha

Employee since: May 2022

Location, location, location: bpha’s offices in Bedford, then multiple sites between Oxford and Cambridge

Previous employment: Leicester City Council

I usually listen to BBC Radio 4 during my drive to work. Although I can work from home as part of our hybrid working, to manage high-rise residential buildings well it’s necessary to be available on-site.

On my way to the office, I drop into one of the high-rise buildings to inspect works to replace a fusible link shutter. While there I record that an electronic latch to a side entrance has failed, and there’s evidence that people have accessed the communal area.

When I get to the office, I authorise payment for a fusible link shutter and arrange the repair to the door entry system to prevent any further unauthorised access. Then, a bit of time to catch up on my emails.

I arrange a meeting with Newlon Housing for later in the month to see our electronic asset and compliance management system. I also approve a draft letter to confirm that BM Sprinklers, the contractor we’re working with to install sprinklers within our high-rise blocks, is notifying residents when diamond drilling in the communal areas is due to commence.

We publish a magazine for residents living in our high-rise blocks in Bedford. The next issue is out shortly and introduces me to the residents, so they’re already familiar with me when we meet on site. I check over the final copy to make sure it’s ready to go to print.

My Fire Safety Co-ordinator is on annual leave, so I run a report that shows our contractor’s progress for the cyclical inspection of fire doors in all 16 high-rise blocks. I write a brief progress summary and, together with the supporting data, this information feeds into our weekly report on the ‘big six’ compliance areas.

Along with BM Sprinklers, this is the second of two information sessions for residents to hear more about our joint plans for the upgrade and sprinkler installation. Residents are interested to learn that bpha is installing sprinklers in all our high-rise residential buildings. Other residents share concerns that the sprinklers might activate when their smoke alarms go off. I can reassure one resident that burning some toast won’t activate the sprinklers.

I help to pack up the information stands and set off to collect my daughter from her nursery. At home later that evening, I continue my studies for a CIOB Level 6 Diploma in Building Safety Management.

The autumn is my favourite time of year. I love putting my wellies on and going on a long countryside walk with my family, a few drinks in the village pub and roast dinner. If I could then watch England beat the All Blacks in a Rugby World Cup Final, that would be perfect.