Sprinklers are essential to protecting lives

The decision was in part prompted by an earlier fire at the scheme. It was recommended that a sprinkler system be installed.

These works were included in our asset management plan, however the recent tragic events prompted immediate action. We understand this is to be the first retrofitted sprinkler system in Manchester, following Grenfell.

“The overriding view of the board was one of saving lives and allaying resident fears.”

This could be seen as an easy decision for Arcon’s board to take, in regard to cost and scale terms, compared to other larger housing providers. The total cost was £78,200.

There were no issues with flammable cladding on the tower block to further concern residents. However, the overriding view of the board was one of saving lives and allaying resident fears.

Over the past few weeks, the board’s decision has been supported by comments from London Fire Brigade Commissioner Dany Cotton, who called for residential tower blocks to be retrofitted with sprinklers, the only fire safety system which detects and suppresses a fire, as well as raising the alarm. Ms Cotton emphasised that sprinklers save lives.

“Residents have reacted favourably to the system being installed.”

Monies were found at Arcon from within existing budgets and a detailed consultation exercise was undertaken with the 25 residents concerned.

This involved installing a system in the local office in the block to see the sprinklers in operation, along with the selected contractor and GTM Fire Protection Services being on hand to answer questions and give reassurance.

The work is due to commence on 9 October and will be completed before Christmas, during which time only two half-day visits will be required to each property: one for the installation itself, and another to test out the pipework and boxing-in.

Residents have reacted favourably to the system being installed and safeguards and measures are being taken to ensure no chance of accidental activation.

We see these measures as essential in helping to protect life and allaying residents’ fears; our board does not consider sprinklers as “additional” or a ‘nice to have’, but as absolutely necessary to protect the lives of our residents.

We acknowledge we’re fortunate we only have to address these concerns in one tower block, unlike other providers, which I’m sure would want to take similar action now if they could.

Bernard Gallagher, chief executive, Arcon Housing Association

Inside Housing has launched a campaign to improve fire safety following the Grenfell Tower fire

Never Again: campaign asks

Inside Housing is calling for immediate action to implement the learning from the Lakanal House fire, and a commitment to act – without delay – on learning from the Grenfell Tower tragedy as it becomes available.

LANDLORDS

• Take immediate action to check cladding and external panels on tower blocks and take prompt, appropriate action to remedy any problems
• Update risk assessments using an appropriate, qualified expert.
• Commit to renewing assessments annually and after major repair or cladding work is carried out
• Review and update evacuation policies and ‘stay put’ advice in light of risk assessments, and communicate clearly to residents

GOVERNMENT

• Provide urgent advice on the installation and upkeep of external insulation
• Update and clarify building regulations immediately – with a commitment to update if additional learning emerges at a later date from the Grenfell inquiry
• Fund the retrofitting of sprinkler systems in all tower blocks across the UK (except where there are specific structural reasons not to do so)

We will submit evidence from our research to the Grenfell public inquiry.

The inquiry should look at why opportunities to implement learning that could have prevented the fire were missed, in order to ensure similar opportunities are acted on in the future.