Sprinklers Keeping Residents Fire Safe
Liverpool Community Fire Safety team has now fitted two full sprinkler systems with the cash and a further 10 homes are set to benefit. This is in addition to portable sprinklers that are being installed around the county.
Last week Tony Coulter, 53, was delighted when manufacturer Aqua Mist called at his home to install the fire safety measure. Tony lives alone and is blind but is also a smoker which has put him in a high risk category for fire. He has already had a lucky escape from a kitchen fire.
"That was a close shave," he said. "There was a fault on my cooker and I woke up one night to my smoke alarm."
Tony was given additional fire protection after receiving a visit by a firefighter at his blind rehabilitation centre. Over the last 18 months he has received smoke alarms, fire retardant bedding and throw and finally a sprinkler system throughout his bungalow. "I'm delighted," he said. "I can sleep safe at night now. It gives me much more confidence and peace of
mind."
This is the second full sprinkler to be installed with the NRF money - the first was before Christmas and was given to a lady who smoked and had epilepsy. A Home Fire Safety Check revealed scorch mark throughout her property and she admitted that when she had an attack she could be out for up to 40 minutes.
Tony Harland, manager of Liverpool Community Fire Safety, explained: "The risk of her falling victim to a fire was high but now she is totally protected in her home. We have a strict criteria of who can receive the full sprinkler. If we can't reduce the risk from fire by our normal measures and need to go that step further we will consider fitting a sprinkler system."
Once the system is in, there is an annual cost of £120 for maintenance. The project team have been working with housing associations in a bid to get them to pick up this maintenance cost.
Tony added: "We already have a couple of housing associations who have agreed, they have been fantastic. Now we want other housing associations to follow suit. At the end of the day, the cost is minimal compared to what it would cost if there was a house fire - the average cost then is over £23,000."
Sam Grady
Publicity Officer
Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service
0151 296 4417
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