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FIRE SERVICE AND GENERAL FIRE SAFETY TOPICS => Fire Safety => Topic started by: Dinnertime Dave on November 17, 2008, 01:42:16 PM
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The Welsh Assemble member Ann Jones is introducing a Legislative Competence Order (equivalent to a Private Members Bill) to make it a requirement of all newly built houses in Wales to be fitted with a automatic fire suppression system.
Anybody out there with any views? Is it a good idea? Will she be successful?
Personally, I don’t think she will be successful for the following reasons
Residential sprinklers are not cost effective in domestic dwellings; they are probably cost effective in care homes and tall blocks of flats (source effectiveness of sprinklers in residential premises ODPM Jan 2006 & BRE report 204505)
The insurance companies increase the price on a domestic policies where houses are fitted with sprinklers (I’ve heard quotes increasing up to 70%)
The building industry will fight anything that increases cost e.g. homes for life – the idea was to provide an accessible toilet on the ground floor of new homes. Now watered down to accept nana’s wheelchair wedging the door open leaving her in full view of the rest of the family eating their Christmas dinner.