Manchester City Council to retro-fit sprinklers in 36-high rise tower blocks
It comes following the Grenfell Tower tragedy where 71 people lost their lives
Last updated 13th Dec 2017
Manchester city council have approved plans to retro-fit sprinklers into 36 high-rise tower blocks.
It's six months ago since the Grenfell Tower fire where 71 people lost their lives.
This has prompted Manchester city council to take steps to make sure it didn't happen again.
They've approved plans to to spend 10 and a half million pounds on installing sprinklers in their towers.
They've visited every high rise building in the city and spoken to the landlords of more than 200 privately owned ones.
It's because 12 of them were found to have the same cladding that was on Grenfell Tower.
Basic fire risk assessments (Type 1) are already in place in all City Council-owned blocks and housing association provider high rises, and were redone immediately following the Grenfell fire.
All fire assessments for Council-owned properties have been made available of the Council’s website.
Cllr Bernard Priest, Deputy Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “We need to get to a position where every person who lives in a high rise block feels safe in their homes, understands fire procedures for the building, and building owners know what their responsibilities are.
“We are still awaiting the outcome of the national inquiry following the Grenfell tragedy and we are ready to act quickly to any recommendations. However, we already know that a review into enforcement powers of Councils and the fire service is vital to ensure the legislation is in place to fully protect residents.
“We believe that we should retrofit sprinkler systems in our high rise properties, but it is important that we do this in conversation with our residents – and funding the works will need to be in conversation with Government for their support.”
Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester Bev Hughes added: “Through the work of the Greater Manchester High Rise Taskforce, we have been able to take swift action to reassure residents living in high rises across Greater Manchester and make sure that the right fire safety advice is in place. Specialist fire officers continue to work with building owners and local authorities, including Manchester City Council, to address fire safety issues and contribute to Greater Manchester’s ambition of a world-class approach to fire safety, which places the expertise of our fire and rescue service at its heart."