Protect24 boss Mark Lyons has told ITN News that fire sprinklers systems are a ‘necessity’ for social housing tower blocks.
He told ITN News the Grenfell Tower tragedy proves fire safety systems can no longer be regarded as a luxury for those living in high rise social housing developments.
And he insists the fact that no-one has ever died from fire in a building fitted with sprinklers, means they should be mandatory.
He said: “Statistics tell us that in a properly installed, properly designed sprinkler installation we have had no reported deaths so it is a necessity.
“It may be a bold statement to say it is a necessity, but in reality, it is no longer a luxury to have sprinklers.”
Lyons launched Protect24 in the wake of the Grenfell Tower tragedy, which claimed 72-lives after fire ripped through a 24-storey residential tower block in London.
They are the first company in the UK to provide a complete retrospective fitting of fire safety solutions, which include fire sprinkler systems.
Benefit
Residents living in properties owned and managed by the North West based ForViva Group are the first in the country to benefit from the retrospective fire protection measures. Forviva have committed a £5-million spend to upgrade their facilities and protect residents.
Protect24 are midway through the program to retrofit fire safety sprinklers to 17 high rise blocks in Greater Manchester and Merseyside on behalf of ForViva.
Nigel Sedman, Group Director of Homes at ForViva, said: “Overall this program is going to cost us about £6 million to fit sprinklers in all of our 17 blocks.
“We are supporting customers to feel safe in their homes, but now, not only do they feel safer but they are actually safer.”
Granada Reports spent the day filming with Protect24 on site in Eccles learning about the innovative new approach.
Protect24 engineers complete installation to each home within five days. A network of pipes connected to sprinklers are boxed in and become almost invisible to the eye. Customer care representatives work closely with residents to allay fears and concerns.
Eccles resident, Patricia Redgrave said: “I started to wonder what would happen if it (Grenfell) happened here because we have had a couple of fires down below but they were put out more or less straight away. Now I can sleep with ease, knowing that if there was a fire I would be safe anyway.”
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