SOUTH SOMERSET NEWS: Yarlington backs sprinkler safety campaign

THE Yarlington Housing Group has been supporting a safety campaign to have sprinkler systems installed in some of its properties.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service promotes the installation of sprinklers in homes – especially where they make the most significant impact.

Sprinklers play a positive role in protecting life, reducing the economic and environmental cost of fire in any building they are installed in.

In November 2012 the Fire Service started working with Yeovil-based Yarlington Housing Group on the potential features and benefits of installing domestic sprinkler systems in some of the properties of their most vulnerable residents.

A pilot scheme, jointly funded by both organisations, took place in 2012 with the aim to confirm that sprinklers were a cost effective solution, in addition to smoke alarms that give early warning in the event of a fire starting.

Sprinklers can control and stop the spread of fires, so in domestic dwellings they give residents precious extra minutes to escape in the event of a blaze.

Community fire safety officer, Ian Haim, and Yarlington fire safety officer Richard Cleverton visited Yarlington’s Muchelney House Retirement Living scheme in Ilminster, to view the outcome of the refit.

Muchelney House has 32 self-contained, one-bedroom flats; a fully equipped laundry room, communal lounge/dining room, shower room, communal kitchen and an en-suite guestroom. The communal kitchen is used to prepare daily midday meals.

PHOTO – TOP: Muchelney House resident Dorothy Evans with Ian Haim and Richard Cleverton.

Ian explained: “The pilot scheme has proved a great investment for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service.

“Since first launching the scheme in collaboration with Yarlington, we have jointly progressed to future proof three of their Retirement Living schemes, with a further five planned in for the next financial year. Their priority is always what is best for the residents.

“Each of the three schemes has been refitted, causing as little disruption to the residents as possible. The refits demonstrate that sprinklers can be a cost effective solution to not only protecting lives, but also property.”

Dorothy Evans, who lives at Muchelney House, said: “The sprinklers were fitted really quickly, it only took one day, and they were very professional. The idea of sprinklers is new to me, but I now know that they save lives, so I feel safe and looked after with them throughout my flat as well as throughout Muchelney House.”

Richard Cleverton added:  “As a conscientious housing provider we look at every opportunity to protect the lives of our residents and ensure they are safe so it was a excellent opportunity to be able to work with Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service on this Pilot Project.

“We also recognise the long term financial benefit of installing sprinklers versus the cost of expensive repairs to fire damaged properties; the sprinkler systems contain the fire to a single flat, removing the need to immediately clear the entire property, and control the fire until the Fire Service arrives. This relates to huge savings -without sprinklers if a fire took hold in a flat it would have to be gutted and everything replaced.”

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