After an initial rejection and disagreement Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service has scored an impressive victory for common sense by persuading Watkin Jones, the developers of what has been dubbed the Portsmouth 'Blade' to install fire sprinklers in the 33 storey student accommodation building.
Originally Watkin Jones had no plans to include fire sprinklers, arguing, quite correctly as it happens, that as the building was classified as “Residential” they were not a requirement under current building regulations. There is a difference however between correct and right and just because the Government is dragging its heels in legislating for the obvious it does not mean the Fire Service cannot make the sane and right arguments for installing fire sprinklers.
They pointed out the high risk nature of student accommodation in general citing 11 such fires in just two years. The difficulties and dangers to firefighters in tackling high rise fires were highlighted including the tragic loss of two firemen in the Shirley Towers in Southampton.
No doubt the FRS also cast doubt on the effectiveness of relying solely on portable fire safety equipment like fire extinguishers where the onus may fall on inexperienced students in a fire emergency thereby increasing the risk to life.
I seriously doubt the FRS presented detailed analysis of the comparative carbon footprints and environmental impact of fire sprinklers in persuading Watkin Jones to turn about face on its original decision. What really matters is that the Hampshire Fire Service and Watkin Jones have demonstrated that by working together it is possible to balance the business imperative with occupants' safety.
The 360ft high Blade Tower is to be built on the site of the former Victorian baths in the City centre hopefully providing an iconic landmark akin to London’s Gherkin. When completed the main tower will house 600 students from Portsmouth University. The development includes a second, smaller building to be shared by the Institute of Criminal Justice Studies and the School of Education & Continuing Studies. Teaching facilities in the complex include a 300-seat lecture theatre and seminar rooms, as well as a café and restaurant.
