New Sprinkler System for Cecil Court
Works have started on an exciting new fire safety installation at a Southend tower block.
South Essex Homes is working in partnership with contractors Mulalley on a pilot scheme to install a new sprinkler system at Cecil Court tower block in Jones Close, Southend.
The project will involve the installation of a brand new system which is linked to sprinkler units in the communal areas and inside every flat within the 11-storey residential block.
These wall-mounted units are fitted in separate rooms of each flat and communal area where there may be a fire risk and they are individually sensitive to high heat caused by fire. When they sense a temperature of 70˚C, the sprinklers pop out from their boxing and spray water over the area.
The works at Cecil Court are expected to be complete at the end of May 2022 and South Essex Homes will then spend some time assessing the full cost and overall success of the pilot scheme, through ongoing discussions with colleagues at Southend-on-Sea City Council.
This pilot scheme is the latest addition to a series of actions taken by South Essex Homes to ensure that tower blocks are as safe as possible in the event of a fire:
- Since 2018 all high-rise blocks have had fire-retardant paint in common areas and fire rated GERDA doors that are routinely serviced.
- Since the mid-nineties, all high-rise blocks have had annually serviced mains powered smoke alarms.
- South Essex Homes employs a full-time Fire Safety Manager, who carries out fire risk assessments at buildings across the borough and carries out joint inspections of on-site firefighting equipment with Essex County Fire & Rescue Service (ECFRS).
- All bin storage areas within high rise blocks have a fully automatic sprinkler system already installed and linked to a 24/7 call centre.
- All lifts have fire detection equipment and are linked to a 24/7 call centre. It is also possible for ECFRS to control them in the event of an emergency.
Kevin Hazlewood, Assistant Director (Property) at South Essex Homes, said: “We take the safety of our residents very seriously, and this is an exciting development which demonstrates our commitment to further improving fire safety at the buildings we manage on behalf of the Council.
“We would also like to express our thanks to ECFRS for their grant funding of £50,000 to support our fire safety efforts.”
Cllr Anne Jones, cabinet member for housing and communities, said: “We have been working very closely with South Essex Homes to make all our buildings, but especially our high rise buildings, as safe as possible. This pilot scheme is another example of how the safety of residents is the number one priority. I look forward to hearing about the results of this scheme.”