Eight months after the Grenfell tragedy, one of the tallest council tower blocks in Croydon has an operational fire sprinkler system.
The 10-storey building in College Green, Upper Norwood, is the first of council's 26 tallest blocks to be fitted with sprinklers as part of a £10 million programme to fit the tallest blocks, plus an eight-storey sheltered block with sprinklers (some council owned sheltered accommodations have already been fitted with sprinklers).
Teresa Cox, a College Green resident who lives at one of the first flats where council contractors retrofitted the sprinklers was happy to see work completed.
“Anything that saves people’s lives has got to be worth the hassle,” she said.
“They were very quick, efficient and polite people, and they did it really well.”
Work has also begun on three more council blocks, including a second block in College Green. 
London Fire Brigade borough commander for Croydon, Kevin McKenzie visited the College Green block during testing, and praised council’s 26-block sprinkler programme.
“Sprinklers play a significant role as part of an appropriate package of fire safety measures in reducing the impact of fire on people, property and the environment, so we welcome this because it gives residents reassurance,” he said.
“London Fire Brigade has long been campaigning about the benefits of sprinklers, which save lives and property and also improve firefighter safety. 
“Croydon Council proves it’s possible to retrofit sprinklers, and more boroughs and housing owners should follow its lead to protect their most vulnerable residents, including those with mobility issues.” 
Croydon was the first council to announce it would retrofit sprinklers in its high-rise blocks.