The Glasgow School of Art (GSA) is using drone footage as well as its own engineers and professional teams to examine the extent of fire damage to its Mackintosh building, following a devastating blaze earlier this month.
- Glasgow School of Art fire ravages Kier restoration work
- Glasgow blaze: Kier reveals strict anti-fire measures
Fire broke out at the building, which was in the process of being restored by contractor Kier following an earlier fire in 2014, on 15 June.
GSA’s School of Simulation and Visualisation is now digitally scanning the building as well as using drone footage, in an effort to stabilise the building as soon as possible.
A spokesperson for Glasgow City Council said the situation at the building was still “extremely challenging”.
They said: “We have been able to carry out initial surveys of the Mackintosh building, which have raised significant concerns about the West and East elevations.
“However, we are still working with The Glasgow School of Art and Historic Environment Scotland to devise a methodology to allow us to safely examine the building at closer quarters – which we hope will give us more clarity about its condition and any threat to public safety.”
Meanwhile, Glasgow’s head of building control Raymond Barlow has warned that parts of the building face collapse, according to the BBC.
As of Friday last week, an exclusion zone around the building and nearby Sauciehall Street remained in place.
Last week, Kier detailed the measures it had put in place to prevent another fire from occurring at the site.
They included a smoke and heat detection system, regular evacuation tests, and 24-hour, seven-day-a-week security and fire warden patrols by a team of three guards who were originally appointed by the Glasgow School of Art and subsequently by Kier.
A spokesperson for the company said: “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.”
