Fire sprinklers

Sprinklers are widely recognised as the single most effective method for fighting the spread of fires in the early stages, so we know how important it is that our council blocks have sprinklers installed.

Sprinklers are there to save your life. Do not:

• Remove sprinkler heads
• Paint or wallpaper over sprinkler heads
• Use a wallpaper stripper near the sprinkler heads in your flat
• Obstruct sprinkler heads with furniture, curtains or personal items

If any sprinkler head becomes damaged, remember to report it as soon as possible.

In Southampton, we have:

• Installed 670 sprinklers in 10 Supported Housing blocks
• A programme of installing sprinklers into all 1,358 flats in our five-storey blocks and 350 flats in our eight supported blocks over the next three years
• Installed 1845 sprinklers into all 20 of our high-rise blocks

High rise sprinkler installation progress to date

Work is now complete on the sprinkler installation in 20 high-rise blocks:

• Shirley Towers
• Sturminster House
• Albion Towers
• Canberra Towers
• Redbridge Towers
• Millbrook Towers
• Millbank House
• Castle House
• Holyrood House
• St James House
• Canute House
• Hampton Towers
• Harve Towers
• Olso Towers
• Copenhagen Towers
• Rotterdam Towers
• Dumbletons Towers
• Meredith Towers
• Hightown Towers
• Roundhill Close
• As well as the new developments at Potters Court and Kiln Court

Work in progress on the sprinkler installation in Wyndham Court which will be completed in late 2024.

Since the sprinklers have been installed we have had five flat fires in our high rise blocks, all of which have been suppressed by the sprinkler systems before the fire service arrived.

"The incredible impact of sprinklers was again demonstrated in the tackling of this fire. The system kept the fire itself under control and prevented it spreading while enabling our crews to tackle the fire quickly and safely. Having sprinklers installed is like having a firefighter in every room. No residents needed to be evacuated and the stay put policy worked exactly as it should." Rob Cole, Head of Operations at Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service, commenting on one incident at a tower block in Southampton

Questions about sprinkler systems