The decision was today (Wednesday) announced at City of Wolverhampton Council’s Fire Safety Scrutiny Review Group.
WV Living is currently building the first of 1,000 homes it has planned for the city over 4 years.
The company’s initial properties fully comply with fire safety standards – and now it is taking the pioneering step to install sprinklers in the water system of all newbuild homes for rent and sale.
Work is set to start on the biggest of its sites – The Marches on Lakefield Road in Wednesfield – where the 266 new homes will all be fitted with the new sprinklers.
All new WV Living homes built on new sites will also be fitted with integrated sprinkler systems.
City of Wolverhampton Council Leader, Councillor Ian Brookfield, said: “We were one of the first council’s in the UK to set up our own housing company to help accelerate the pace of house construction in the city.
“WV Living is already building top-quality homes and now it is pioneering the way with sprinklers – ensuring we deliver better and safer homes for families in our city.
“The company is delivering all the benefits we hoped it would for the city and is building homes we can all be proud of.”
Kate Martin, WV Living Vice Chair, added: “Never has it been so important for companies to show leadership in this area of building management to ensure continued resident and community safety.
“WV Living, as the City of Wolverhampton Council’s local housing company, wishes to continue to set the highest quality and safety standards in the residential real estate sector for Wolverhampton.”
City of Wolverhampton Council Chair of the Fire Safety Scrutiny Review Group and Chair of West Midlands Fire Authority, Councillor Greg Brackenridge, said: “I fully support this move from one of our key partners.
“This group is championing fire safety across the City of Wolverhampton and we are delighted the council’s own housing company has chosen to lead the way with fitting of sprinklers in its newbuild homes.
“This is the culmination of two years’ work by officers and members of the Fire Safety Group and I thank all of them for their efforts.
“This development will keep our residents safe in their homes and is to be welcomed.”
