Fire safety investment for sheltered housing

Leeds City Council is investing £1.4m million in new fire safety systems for some of the city’s most vulnerable residents.

Sprinklers systems will be retro-fitted to five sheltered housing complexes.

The council is in the process of procuring a specialist contractor to complete the roll out of the sprinkler systems for the high rise sheltered accommodation at Carlton Croft, Little London, Sherburn Court, Swarcliffe, Rycroft Green, Swinnow, Burnsall Court, Armley and Queenswood Court, Headingley.

With the overall safety works costing £1.4 million, the contract is worth around £450,000 to the successful bidder who will work with Housing Leeds’ construction services to put the sprinklers in place.

The automatic systems will offer extra protection to the 275 homes where residents are living independently with support.

Having successfully completed the installation of a fire suppression system to 71 flats at Marsden Court, Farsley in March 2014, works to install systems at Queensview, Seacroft and Crescent Grange, Holbeck, protecting another 199 homes, are nearing completion.

Councillor Debra Coupar, Leeds City Council’s executive member for communities, said:

“You can’t truly put a value on someone’s safety. Representing a significant investment in fire safety, we’re providing residents and their families with extra peace of mind that we’re not prepared to let fire ruin lives or property.

“The sprinklers will offer the best possible fire protection for some of our most vulnerable residents and we look forward to getting a contractor on board to complete this vital work.

“As always, we cannot be complacent and know we have more to do as part of our five year fire safety programme.”

Ian Bitcon, West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service area manager for fire safety, said:

“Blocks of flats present unique challenges for fire safety and firefighting that might not exist elsewhere. When that accommodation is for elderly residents who may not be as independent as they used to be, it’s even more important to ensure all steps to keep people and property safe are taken.”

Once a specialist contractor is appointed, work is estimated to start on site in April 2016 and be completed by October 2018.