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Fire chiefs are launching a major campaign to get sprinkler systems installed in high rise blocks of flats across Cheshire.

At last week’s meeting Cheshire Fire Authority agreed to earmark £160,000 to work with local housing associations on retro-fitting systems into at least one block of flats in each of the four local council areas.

Fire Authority Chair Cllr. John Joyce said: “Sprinkler systems are proven to save lives and property as well as improving firefighter safety, reducing the amount of damage and limiting the impact on the environment.

“We have been urging landlords and businesses to install these for some time but now we are launching a real drive to ensure action is taken – including providing some part-funding to get them put into tower blocks across Cheshire.”

In a report to Cheshire Fire Authority, fire officers said that a recent sprinkler retro-fit project in a high-rise tower block in South Yorkshire with 47 flats had been completed at a cost of £55,000 or £1150 per flat.

On that basis, allocating £160,000 would be enough to fund 50% of the costs of installing sprinklers in at least four high rise tower blocks with around 60 flats in each. Initial talks with some local landlords have already indicated that they would be prepared to meet the other half of the installation costs.

“Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service has a national reputation for innovation and this programme is an exciting opportunity to kick start an investment in sprinkler systems which are now a cost effective way of dramatically improving people’s safety,” said Chief Fire Officer Paul Hancock.

“I am delighted that Cheshire Fire Authority members have not only backed this project but also agreed to seek the formal backing of their councils for a campaign aimed at making the fitting of sprinklers mandatory under building regulations.”

Delighted to say that we are now ‘live’ on The Best of Peterborough:

http://www.thebestof.co.uk/local/peterborough/business-guide/feature/db-fire-consultancy

Looking forward to providing another training session tomorrow at a Residential Care Home in Sheffield.

If you or your staff require training in general fire safety awareness then email: enquiries@dbfiresafety.co.uk OR phone 08448 541 451

Really proud today….received a phonecall from one of my clients in London (a large entertainment venue)…..he told me that he had received a visit last week from the local Fire Officer who, after surveying the premises, asked if he had an up-to-date Fire Risk Assessment.

After reading the one that I had recently carried out he turned to my client and axpressed the opinion that it was the best composed and relevant Fire Risk Assessment that he had ever read.

Just proves that I must be doing my job in the right way.

Needless to say that my client was highly delighted!!!

GREATER Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) is warning people of the dangers of leaving electrical items plugged in for long periods of time due to the risk of fire.

Hair straighteners, mobile phone chargers, televisions and other electrical items can cause serious fires if they’re left plugged in overnight or when the house is empty.

There were more than 2,200 electrical-related fires across Greater Manchester in the last year, from April 2012 to April 2013.

Of these 1,003 involved cooking appliances, 182 were lighting, 25 involved dishwashers, 23 were fridges or freezers, 60 involved tumble driers, seven involved an iron and six involved a hairdryer.