Agenda item - Fire Safety Update

37.1           Grant Ritchie, Lead Consultant – Health & Safety, introduced the fire safety update on the proposed installation of residential sprinklers to high rise blocks. The nature of the proposal had changed whereby the system would now be optional. The current scheme was being run in partnership with East Sussex Fire & Rescue through a split budget and will be rolled out to other blocks in the city after consultation. He added that the main purpose of the sprinkler systems was to reduce the fire size and not just aid evacuation.

37.2           In response to residents, officers stated that the central blocks arranged for the scheme were selected with East Sussex Fire & Rescue due to the fact these blocks generated the most emergency calls. Blocks were initially selected on their height and sensitivity, however in future the age group and ability of residents would be taken in to more consideration when extended to other areas.

37.3           The Chair supported that the criteria should be more objective.

37.4           Residents raised concern of the fact that the rescue service would not be funding all future blocks and where the budget would then be sourced, particularly for leaseholders. Residents then asked for more detail on the choices on sprinkler placements and how this related to costs.

37.5           Officers responded that funded blocks were part of the initial pilot scheme and beyond this the local authority would carry the cost; however there were other government schemes to encourage fire safety in the housing sector. Officers added that the price varied considerably but the estimated figure without funding would be £3,000 in the hope that every flat would take at least one sprinkler, particularly by the front door. If residents only opted for one shared device, then the cost would be proportionately split between the block.

37.6           RESOLVED – That the panel agreed to note the report.