Sprinkler system installed at home

A disabled man has become the first in the Cannock Chase district to have a £3,000 state-of-the-art sprinkler system fitted in his home.

Roger Stephens, who suffers from multiple sclerosis, has had sprinklers installed in the lounge, hallway, bedroom and kitchen of his council bungalow in Elm Road, Norton Canes.

The 57-year-old former toolsetter has also featured in a video produced by the Staffordshire Fire Rescue Service about the benefits of the sprinkler systems.

Mr Stephens was granted the system after he underwent a home fire risk assessment by the fire service which jointly funded the installation with Cannock Chase Council.

The service is working hard to promote the benefits of the sprinkler system but says it needs more funding.

As he is wheelchair-bound, with only the use of his left arm, Mr Stephens cannot get about his house without the help of his carers who come four times a day.

The sprinkler system is triggered when the room temperature hits 68 degrees celcius.

The nozzles spray six litres of cold water a minute from the ceiling and can only be turned off by firefighters. Chase Terrace High School was fitted with a new sprinkler system after it was destroyed by fire in 2002.

Mr Stephens said: "I feel much safer with the sprinkler system in my home. The heads are so small the neighbours don't even notice them.

"I think it's a great idea and could not only save property but lives too. I do sleep at lot easier at night now knowing that I have the best protection possible. I am very grateful to have them."

Phil Smyth, Staffordshire Fire Rescue Service's central risks reduction officer, said: "There just isn't the funding available at the moment to provide sprinklers for everyone and that's what we're working on.

"There are many people at risk and we are miles behind places like America. It costs on average two percent of the building costs of a house to install the system.

"What price can you put on life."