Fire safety sprinkler row over high rise student flats20 June 2011A fire service has raised fire safety fears about a new 90 metres high tower block that will be used as student accommodation.
The building, dubbed the ‘Blade,’ will house Portsmouth University students. At 33 storeys high, it will be one of the tallest structures in the city once it is completed. However, senior firefighters from Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service have asked developers Watkin-Jones to consider installing a sprinkler system inside the skyscraper as students are ‘high risk’. Deputy chief officer, Dave Curry, said: "We will be asking the university and the developers to consider including sprinklers in the design of the building to ensure the safety of the future occupants. “This and other fire safety provisions are especially relevant when we know that the future occupants will be students - a known high risk group." Under current building regulations, sprinklers have to be installed into new high rise blocks of flats exceeding 30 metres. However, because it will be halls of residence and managed accommodation, the tower falls under the category 'hotels and other use', claims Portsmouth university. John Turner, pro-vice chancellor of the university, said: “The building will not be fitted with a sprinkler system. Stringent evacuation procedures will be in place in the new building. In the event of a fire an automatic alarm is triggered and on detection of a confirmed fire, there is immediate evacuation of the building to a place of safety.” Last week, private residents of a 32-storey high housing block in Sheffield complained about the lack of a central fire alarm system. However, as the property is made up of self-contained flats each with a separate fire alarm system, a communal fire alarm is not required under building regulations.    |
