Published September 1, 2017
Protect24 aim to become the UK’s leading supplier of fire protection services to the social housing sector.
They provide a fully accredited retrospective fire management systems for local authorities and housing associations.
This will include the retrospective fitting of sprinkler systems – a proven method for controlling fires and saving lives – and a host of other fire safety measures.
Protect24 Managing Director Mark Lyons, explained: “Protect24 is the UK’s first company to specialise in the retrofitting of fire protection measures for social housing.
“Fire sprinklers and fire protection measures generally are either installed as part of the new build installation during construction or not at all.
“There are no specialist installers to the retrofit market or installers with experience of working in buildings occupied by residents or with experience of working with local councils or housing associations.
“And specialist subcontractors, crucial to the construction and post-construction delivery, are used to be led, to receive instruction, rather than leading.
“Protect24 change all of that. We provide a cost-effective efficient one-stop delivery model and act as the main contractor for clients, overseeing and delivering every step of the process.”
Lyons has extensive experience working on multi-occupied buildings in the refurbishment sector and in new-build high-rise developments and is an expert in building regulations and legislation requirements.
He has long held concerns about the lack of fire protection provisions in social housing stock built prior to 2007, as those buildings were not required to have fire sprinkler systems fitted.
Those fears became a terrifying reality in the wake of the Grenfell Tower tragedy in 2017 when a fire at the 24-storey block in North Kensington claimed 71 lives.
“Grenfell just highlighted what the fire sector and the refurbishment sector have been aware of for a long time,” he explained.
“I believe fire sprinkler systems will be akin to the air-bag in cars and window locks in homes, and I think every building will have them from a morale safety point of view, then a best practice point of view and finally a legislative point of view.
“Already insurance providers and mortgage providers are starting to put pressure on landlords and developers to move in the direction of sprinklers. This demand will only increase.
“Residents are aware of the dangers and will opt to live in buildings with sprinkler systems rather than those without.”
Protect24’s unique turnkey approach provides every aspect of the fire protection package for local authorities and social housing associations.
Their design team, installers and construction team are ably supported by residential care and customer care consultants to ensure residents needs and sensitivities are catered for.
“Often residents are vulnerable, potentially elderly or disabled and the prospect of allowing people into their homes can be distressing and needs sensitive handling,” Mr Lyons, added.
“To overcome this we have added the experience of operatives and management who have worked in the retrofit / refurbishment market and added specialists in resident care and customer care consultants.
“Protect24 provide acost-efficientt one-stop shop delivery model and acts at the main contractor, adding experienced project managers and tried and tested principal contractor processes and procedures to our specialist sprinkler installation.
“We have 29 years experience of residential sprinkler installations and every accreditations possible. We train in-house with the support of the industries leading supply chain and aim to become the market leaders in offering a fully accredited / warranty backed sprinkler installation sympathetically installed for the occupying resident, hassle free installation for the client, and professionally delivered from inception to completion.”
The Protect24 concept however offers far more than the retrofitting of fire protection sprinkler systems – their goal is to become the premier supply of fire strategy for the social housing sector.
Mr Lyons, added: “Protect24 will not simply look at sprinklers in isolation, sprinklers are part of a wider fire strategy for that building and its residents.
“We provide a complete fire management service, prior, during and after the sprinkler system is installed.
“Protect24 will assist and deliver that fire strategy in terms of bespoke paperless fire risk assessments, fire loading assessments and advice, in terms of residents habits and culture with respect to fire, and the causes of fire.
“Protect24 will be a long term partner in the management of fire strategy for the life of that building.”
Protect24 are negotiating with a number of housing associations and city councils to provide retrospective fire management systems for high rise social housing and sheltered accommodation blocks.
To learn more about Protect24, the services provided or to arrange a consultation with our team click this link.
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