By Haydn Lewis – York Press

A VICTORIAN flat conversion in York is the first of its kind in the city to be fitted with potentially life-saving sprinklers.

The block of nine flats at 3, Wenlock Terrace, in Fulford, has been converted by York builders Cooper and Westgate.

They have been hailed by the fire service as the first of their kind in York and an example that other contractors converting similar buildings should follow to help save lives.

York fire chief, Graham Buckle, said the design came about after the fire service found objections with original plans for the building conversion and suggested the sprinkler system as a means of going forward.

Mr Buckle said: “There were 390 fire deaths nationally last year and 90 per cent of those could have been avoided if sprinklers were fitted as standard in homes and public buildings.

“We are hoping that this development will be the first of many, because although developers are not legally required to fit sprinklers in a development like this, they can save lives in the event of a fire.

“The sprinklers operate automatically as soon as a fire breaks out and should mean that the fire is dealt with even before the fire brigade arrives on scene, lessening the cost both to the fire brigade and to the householder in terms of the damage done for insurance purposes.”

The flats are a mix of studio flats and one and two-beds spread out over five floors and ranging in price from £79,000 for a studio flat to £125,000 for a two-bed.

James Hogg, Cooper and Westgate director, said the system cost about £4,500 to install and they are looking to install similar systems in other developments.

Mr Hogg said: “The sprinklers are a lot more discreet than you would think and have obvious benefits both in the event of a fire and helping keep down insurance costs.”

Mr Buckle said sprinklers of the kind fitted at Wenlock Terrace are only legally required to be fitted in buildings like warehouses, but he is hopeful that other developers will take note.

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