The National Housing Trust (NHT) is working to get the sign off from the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) for the Ruthven Towers. A recent report shared that there was structural damage preventing the necessary clearance from JFB but the entity has since refuted those claims.

NHT denies structural issues at Ruthven Towers, promises fire doors soon

31 May 2022

FIRE DOORS for the National Housing Trust’s (NHT) upscale Ruthven Towers complex in St Andrew are to be installed by July, the entity has said, a move that could get the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) closer to giving the okay for the building to be occupied.

But the state agency is denying claims by unnamed NHT officials in a Sunday Gleaner report that there are structural issues at the eight-floor, 86-unit development that has been under public scrutiny because of its costs, which range from $27.7 million to $37.7 million per unit.

“Since construction, no structural issues have been identified at any stage of the project,” the organisation said in a statement yesterday, adding that the claim was “inaccurate and very irresponsible”.

Hue Lyew Chin Engineering, which said it was the consulting engineers on the Ruthven project, shared the NHT’s position.

However, while it has declined to go into details, the JFB has indicated that there are issues with the property, blocking it from giving the clearance for persons approved for mortgages to start living in the units.

Two officials from the NHT have pointed to issues with not just the fire doors, but with a staircase and access to the basement where residents are to park.

The officials, who work closely with the project, requested anonymity because they were not authorised to speak on the matter.

On Monday, one of the officials said the NHT’s management requested the JFB’s inspection report, which reportedly contains issues of concern about parts of the Ruthven building and the implications for fire safety.

The NHT’s statement did not make any reference to the inspection report.

Telephone calls to JFB spokespersons yesterday went unanswered.

An access to information request for the inspection document has been submitted to the JFB.

Regarding the doors, the NH T said the logistics to have them manufactured and delivered to Jamaica from China“have been extensive ”. They were ordered from July last year.

The agency had declined to comment on the issues with the doors when The Gleaner made enquiries more than a week ago.

“The NHT continues to work on other minor finishes that will allow for more comfortable occupancy by the new homeowners,” the NHT added.

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