Southwark council has announced plans to fit a new, linked fire alarm system in converted street properties to alert residents in the event of smoke or fire.
The system was designed by the council and alarm manufacturers AICO and is being introduced as part of the borough’s efforts to prevent a repeat of the 2009 Lakanal House fire which killed six people.
If an alarm is set off in one of the properties, the linked alarms will activate in all other properties. Each property will also have an LED controller to notify residents that an alarm is going off in another flat and residents will be able to use the controller to silence and test their alarms.
Cllr Richard Livingstone, cabinet member for housing, said: “The horrific fire at Lakanal and the deaths of six residents was a tragedy for the borough.
“Since the fire we have been working hard to put measures in place to improve fire safety in all our properties and we have been responding to all of the recommendations made by the coroner.
“Part of this work is the installation of heat and smoke detection alarms in all our high rise properties. On top of that we are installing our own, specially designed heat and smoke alarms in our converted street properties.
“The safety of all our residents, tenants and leaseholders, is paramount and we are doing everything possible to make sure that we have the most robust fire safety measures in place.”
Leaseholders who bought their properties under the Right to Buy will be offered the alarms for free and the London Fire Brigade is urging all residents to take up the offer.
Fire liaison officer Yvonne Drake said: “I would strongly urge residents in Southwark to take up the council’s offer of a linked smoke detection system, particularly in street properties that have been converted into flats where occupants share a front door or stairway, as it offers the earliest possible warning of smoke and fire.”
