Hackney pioneers fire sprinkler system for social housing
A pioneering fire sprinkler system is set to benefit hundreds of social housing residents in Hackney, helping to save lives in the event of a fire.
One of the first of its kind in London, the pilot project to retrofit fire sprinklers in residential properties will be managed by Hackney Council’s housing organisation Hackney Homes, and will be installed in 258 homes in Frampton Park Estate.
The sprinklers will greatly improve the level of fire safety for residents living on the estate.
Cabinet Member for Housing, Cllr Philip Glanville, said: “Hackney Homes places the risk of fire and the safety and welfare of all residents as highest priority. Hackney is once again at the forefront of resident safety with this fire sprinkler system, providing residents with an extra layer of safety in case the worst should happen."This is great news for local people who are already benefitting from other works to their homes including new heating systems, kitchens and bathrooms. Working with our contractors we will be undertaking this work in the shortest time possible to minimise the disruption caused.”
Hackney Homes places the risk of fire and the safety and welfare of all residents as highest priority. Hackney is once again at the forefront of resident safety with this fire sprinkler system, providing residents with an extra layer of safety in case the worst should happen.
This is great news for local people who are already benefitting from other works to their homes including new heating systems, kitchens and bathrooms. Working with our contractors we will be undertaking this work in the shortest time possible to minimise the disruption caused.
In recent years there have been a number of serious fires in older high-rise blocks that have resulted in occupant fatalities and, in Hampshire and Hertfordshire, firefighter fatalities. Following a major fire resulting in six deaths in 2009 in a social housing block in South London’s Lakanal House, questions were asked about the potential benefits of automatic fire sprinklers in protecting residents in such properties.On average, more than ten times more water is used by the London Fire Brigade to manage a fire that has no sprinkler system. The new system will only release water in the event of a fire, once the temperature rises to approx. 74 degree Celsius. The chance of a fire spreading is also drastically reduced as a result.
Frampton Park residents recently met with Hackney Homes officers and the installation company, Triangle Fire Systems, to discuss how the system will work and also see first-hand the sprinklers in action with a live demonstration.
London Fire Brigade’s Borough Commander for Hackney, Steve Dudeney, attended the sprinkler demonstration and said: “This is fantastic news. I’m delighted that Hackney Homes are taking on this project.
“As well as dramatically reducing damage by stopping fires from spreading so quickly, sprinklers are a potentially life saving tool which can help prevent fire injuries and deaths. Hopefully other boroughs will now follow Hackney’s lead by installing sprinklers in their own older, large scale, social housing blocks.”