See below recent FIA post 08 May 2014.
What would be the point of installing sprinklers to only those flats that want to pay for it?
Have we gone retro mad here? Unless there is clear justification to fit sprinklers due to serious compartmentation issues I don't see how you can justify the cost balanced against the risk reduction?
There is a massive push on this in the industry, fine as part of a new build but I don't think Fire Authorities should be pushing this as a general recommendation in existing blocks without due justification?
The majority of leaseholders in a high-rise block of flats in Tamworth have voted against having sprinkler systems installed.
Out of the 40 leaseholders in the Lichfield Street buildings, 31 said they would be against the installation of the fire safety device, mainly on account of it costing ?3,100, according to the Tamworth Herald.
The plan will still be going ahead, after consultations with the fire service. However, councillors have confirmed there will be the ability to opt out of having the systems installed, if so wished.
In January, the implementation of fire sprinkler systems was authorised in a bid to increase fire safety measures.
They will be fitted in all of the 348 flats in the six blocks and in the communal parts of the properties. Any leaseholders who want to have them installed will have to pay for the privilege, but this will be optional. Sprinkler heads will be put into all council-owned properties in the blocks of flats.
In addition to this, if any leaseholders initially say no, they will still have the option to join the scheme at a later date.
Council leader Danny Cook said: "We decided to give leaseholders the choice. If they do decide to opt in, we will only charge them for installation. We will charge them the very lowest sum we can."
It is thought this fire safety initiative will cost a little more than ?1 million.
At the end of March, a supermarket in north London was prevented from being engulfed by a fire, due to its sprinkler system.
This fire safety device was activated once the flames started. As a result, there was minimal damage to the packaging and waste that was being kept outside at the back of the premises.
A spokesperson from London Fire Brigade said: "Sprinklers are a potentially life saving tool, which keep people and properties safer and can reduce the cost of repairing fire damage."
Commercial buildings, non-domestic and multi-occupancy premises in England and Wales are already forced to undertake a 'suitable and sufficient' fire risk assessment carried out under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
While the overwhelming majority of premises do this, if the assessment is thought to have been carried out to an insufficient extent, the Responsible Person can face an unlimited fine or up to two years in prison.
