Around 900 residents in Southwark and the City of London will benefit from new fire sprinklers fitted in all five social housing tower blocks owned by the City of London Corporation.

The green light was given by the City Corporation’s Community and Children’s Services committee for the sprinklers to be fitted in:

• Great Arthur House, Golden Lane, City of London
• Petticoat Tower, Middlesex Street, City of London
• West Point, Avondale Estate, Southwark
• Central Point, Avondale Estate, Southwark
• East Point, Avondale Estate, Southwark

The City Corporation is a social landlord, running 12 social housing estates across the City of London and six London boroughs.

Sprinkler systems are considered to be one of the most effective tools to enhance the safety of residents and prevent spread of fire.

Randall Anderson, Chairman of the City of London Corporation’s Community & Children’s Services Committee, said:

“The safety of our tenants and leaseholders is our number one priority. We want all our residents to be safe and feel safe in their homes.

“We have worked hard to enhance fire safety on our estates, and the installation of the new fire sprinklers will increase the level of protection and reassure residents.”

The works around installing the sprinklers in the five tower blocks is expected to commence in June next year and be completed by the end of 2019.

Tenants and long lease holders will not be charged for the installation of the fire sprinklers.

In the past year the City of London Corporation has moved from a three-yearly independent Fire Risk Assessment (FRA) to an annual independent FRA.

All the City Corporation’s tenants are part of a programme of electrical testing and rewiring which includes the installation of new hard-wired smoke and heat detectors.

As part of its door replacement programme, the City Corporation is also upgrading front doors to provide up to 60 minutes fire resistance across its estates.

Notes to editors

The City of London Corporation is the governing body of the Square Mile dedicated to a vibrant and thriving City, supporting a diverse and sustainable London within a globally-successful UK. www.cityoflondon.gov.uk