Peterborough Warehouse Fire

[The Colonel]

Follwoing the fire in Peterbourgh recently the local council are looking at tightening up the rules on large construction panels and mandatory sprinklers in such buildings, do local authorities have to power to go it alone and then try to get a national standard. I am all in favour of sprinklers in such buildings but I would have thought that Building Regs already covers this area.
http://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/news/Whittlesey-blaze-Shakeuo-of-safety.3874188.jp

[CivvyFSO]

Yes, local authorities can have their own individual standards. Basically if you want to build your warehouse in their county/area you build it as they say otherwise they refuse planning permission.

Building regs doesn't require sprinklers in these single storey warehouse buildings under 20,000m2. I am not at work and I don't have my precious ADB with me and I can't be bothered downloading it, so shoot me if I am wrong.

[kurnal]

CivvyFSO is referring to local enactments many of which are still in force  - only some elements were repealed by the RRO. For example there are many areas where storage buildings in excess of 7000 cubic metres require sprinklers - see Gretaer Manchester Act  (1983??)Section 65.
Many other areas still have similar provisions- eg Leicestershire.    

Despite the recent change to ADB introducing sprinklers on buildings exceedign 20000sq m, in these areas with more onerous  local enactment  this is still being upheld. There have been appeals to secretary of state but these have confirmed the status of the local enactment.

[jasper]

Yes, local authorities can have their own individual standards. Basically if you want to build your warehouse in their county/area you build it as they say otherwise they refuse planning permission.

Building regs doesn't require sprinklers in these single storey warehouse buildings under 20,000m2. I am not at work and I don't have my precious ADB with me and I can't be bothered downloading it, so shoot me if I am wrong.

you are correct

[wee brian]

Planning permision can't be used to control things that building regs cover. It's been tried before and it failed.

There are some local acts in force but you wont get any new ones.