WORK has begun on a £12 million project to install sprinklers in tower blocks across the city.

Hampshire fire chiefs and city councillors met at Albion Towers to show residents and the general public how the devices will be fitted into the St Mary’s

block, before the scheme is rolled out across Sturminster and Shirley Towers, and then Millbrook, Canberra and Redbridge Towers.

A total of 19 other blocks in the city will also have the devices fitted, with work on the first three blocks costing £2 million and set to be completed by November this year.

Using “miles” of piping which will pump water up through a centralised system through the block, workers will install ten sprinkler heads in each of the 150 flats encased in18 metres of boxing in.

The sprinklers will be boxed in and will respond to heat, with the cover popping off at 58 degrees and the internal part at 68 degrees, while water is sprayed onto the area ablaze.

A second sprinkler will only be activated if the first sprinkler doesn’t put out the fire.

Now sprinkler company Domestic Sprinklers Ltd is asking residents to co-operate with access arrangements while they arrange appointments with the hundreds of inhabitants.

One flat in Albion Towers is being used as the company’s office and demonstration unit, where residents will see how the devices are installed.

But it’s not just a case of installing sprinklers – site manager John Parker said: “There will also be a new fire alarm system installed as well as new smoke detectors which will be replaced or installed.

“We will be able to move furniture but we won’t have time to clear out cupboards so we saying to people that we are here for their safety and asking them to cooperate.

“In Wales it’s already mandatory to have sprinklers installed and I would imagine that in will come in with new building regulations this year.”

Mark Bradbury, head of Southampton City Council’s Capital Assets said they had put videos online to help with fire safety, and that new residents’ welcome pack would include information about the sprinklers.

But one resident who did not want to be named said the sprinkler system was unnecessary.

The Albion Towers resident, who has lived in the block for 14 years, said he thought the scheme is an “overreaction.” He said: “There was a fire in the block before I moved in and it was contained in the flat.

Denise Wyatt of Southampton Independents said the party is “delighted” the sprinklers are being installed but asked why Southampton City Council had taken so long, after the Shirley Towers fire in 2010 in which two firefighters died.

Housing chief Warwick Payne said after the Shirley Towers fire Hampshire fire officers were sent up to Sheffield to see how to retro fit sprinklers, and money was released by cabinet in 2015.

He added: “The sprinklers are not being installed because our buildings are not safe.

“Our buildings are safe but given the Grenfell Towers event we feel it is appropriate that residents are given extra reassurance.”