A housing group’s proactive approach to fire safety has been recognised in the Constructing Excellence awards for the North East.

Nominated by Cleveland Fire Brigade, Middlesbrough-based Fabrick Housing Group won the client of the year category for its work on fire safety in the premises it manages, many of which are high rise blocks of flats.

Cleveland Fire Brigade’s head of fire engineering, Barry Waller, said:

“[We] nominated Fabrick Housing Group for works on their fire risk strategy, which has been exemplary ensuring that the majority of properties meet all requirements of the Regulatory Reform Order 2005, and that residents are informed and equally feel safe in the event of fire within their home.

“From our experience they are one of the leading housing associations in coordinating fire risk improvement works, assessing residents’ needs and alerting them to the risk of fire, and have shown and provided total commitment in the work they carry out.”

Geoff Prior, head of asset management for Fabrick, said:

“We are thrilled to win the award and I have to pay tribute to the amount of people who are involved in fire safety across the group. Their support and investment have been vital.”

The Constructing Excellence awards recognise achievements in the construction industry, with the client of the year award going to the organisation that has shown the greatest drive to ensure that best practice is adopted on its projects and throughout its supply chain.

The national finals of the awards will be held in London in November.