Archived decisions

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority

Item

25 September 2002

The Promotion of Domestic and Residential Sprinkler Systems

Report of the Chief Fire Officer

Contact:

John Bonney Deputy Chief Fire Officer 023 8064 4000 Ext 207

1

Introduction

1.1

Members will be aware of the seminar held recently at the St Mary's Stadium, Southampton, to promote the use of sprinkler systems in domestic and residential premises.

1.2

Considerable research, both here and in the United States, has established that the installation of sprinkler systems in buildings can significantly help to mitigate the loss of life and damage to property caused by fire and the ongoing financial and social disruption to the householder or community.

1.3

A Service policy is embodied in the attached draft Service Order, which is used for information and guidance within HFRS. This seeks to promote the inclusion of sprinkler systems into buildings where currently no statutory requirement exists to fit them.

1.4

These premises will be identified on a risk assessment basis and will include higher risk premises such as houses in multiple occupation (HIMO) and social housing developments.

1.5

Discussions are also taking place to promote their usage in all schools, but particularly amongst those where the incidence of arson is on the increase. Notably, in the last twelve months, three schools in the County suffered major damage with consequent disruption to the community and financial cost to the education authority.

2

General

2.1

HFRS will use every means at its disposal to promote the use of sprinkler systems in higher risk premises and public buildings, including schools. It should be noted that Southampton and Eastleigh Councils have already voted in favour of supporting this policy.

3

European Convention on Human Rights and the Human Rights Act 1998

3.1

The proposals within this report are compatible with the provisions of the European Convention on Human Rights and the Human Rights Act 1998 and have been considered in the light of the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000.

Recommendation

That this report is noted and that Members endorse the Service policy to promote the use of sprinkler systems where currently no legislation exists to require them.

Section 100D - Local Government Act 1972 - background papers

The following documents disclose the facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of the report.

Draft Service Order - Residential and Domestic Sprinkler Systems S0/7/16

NB The list excludes:

1 Published works

2 Documents that disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act

File name: HFRA 25 9 2002 Sprinkler Systems

Target Audience: WT NU DRAFT

SO/7/16

Page 1

(CJS 7/02)

RESIDENTIAL AND DOMESTIC SPRINKLER SYSTEMS

1

POLICY

1.1

Officers of Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service will, where appropriate recommend the fitting of sprinkler systems.

1.2

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service will actively promote the fitting of sprinkler systems in high risk domestic premises such as Houses in Multiple Occupation, social housing projects and other residential situations where risk assessment indicates the fitting of a sprinkler system would be beneficial.

1.3

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service will take part in active public education campaigns in conjunction with councils, elected members and other agencies to emphasise the benefits of sprinkler systems and to influence national regulatory requirements.

1.4

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service will maintain links with national sprinkler promotion bodies such as Residential Sprinkler Association and other lobbying groups such as National Fire Sprinkler Network . The service will actively seek partnerships with sprinkler manufacturing companies and others to further this policy.

2

DEFINITIONS

2.1

Domestic sprinkler systems are defined as those installed or proposed for installation in individual dwelling houses, flats, maisonettes and transportable homes.

2.2

Residential sprinkler systems are defined as those installed or proposed for installation in Residential Care Homes, Nursing Homes and other similar establishments, Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO), nursing homes, blocks of flats, educational establishments, rehabilitation accommodation, hostal accommodation and dormitories

3

PROCEDURE

Guidance is contained in Appendix A to this Note.

4

STANDARDS OF SERVICE

Officers of the Hampshire Fire and Rescue service will carry out their duties in a fair, equitable and consistent manner. The giving of advice or the issuing of requirements for remedial work will be clear and simple and in writing where necessary. a time period may be set and the work identified as being either a legal requirement or best advice.

5

APPENDICES

Appx. A - Residential and Domestic Sprinkler Systems.

Owner:

DCFO (OPS/T)

Author:

FSSU

Contact:

DO (CFS)

Review:

Appx A

Page 1

(CJS 07/02)

RESIDENTIAL AND DOMESTIC SPRINKLER SYSTEMS

1

INTRODUCTION

The Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service is committed to the Safer Society concept and sees sprinkler systems as an important weapon in the fight to make Hampshire as safe as possible from fire

The excellent record of sprinkler systems in preventing serious damage to property by fire is indisputable. The premium discounts offered by insurance companies on sprinklered buildings is a clear indication of their value in reducing financial losses due to fire damage and the concern often expressed over excessive water damage has proved to have been largely unfounded.

A tragic fire IA tragic fire in a vicarage in Wiltshire in 1989 led senior officers from that brigade to turn their attention to the possibility of providing sprinkler systems, similar to those already being installed in the United States, in domestic properties in the UK. It is also interesting to note that the Salisbury Diocese has elected to install sprinklers in all domestic premises coming within their jurisdiction.

From the information available all the indications from full scale tests lead us to the conclusion that there is every likelihood that a properly installed system will considerably reduce the chances of a fatality occurring even in the room of origin. Whilst smoke is recognised as being the most serious hazard to life in the early stages of a fire, the hallmark of nearly all headline hitting, multi-fatality fires in domestic type premises is rapid and almost complete consumption of the contents of the building by direct burning - the Wiltshire fire already mentioned and the more recent fire in an HMO in Hove are typical examples. The development of fast response sprinkler heads has helped to allay the fears of sceptics who considered the operation of traditional sprinkler heads to be too slow for them to offer direct life safety protection.

2

PROCEDURE

2.1

Officers will actively encourage the fitting of Domestic Sprinkler Systems in all new housing developments, this will include refurbishments and changes of use.

2.2

Where considered appropriate officers are to recommend and encourage the provision of Residential Sprinkler Systems in high risk residential buildings or situations where it is considered the fitting of a sprinkler system would be beneficial to the safety of residents. This will apply to both new builds, refurbishments and changes of use to one of the high risk groups.

2.3

Any recommendation or proposal for the provision of a residential sprinkler system must be supported with a detailed risk assessment to ensure the recommendation can be justified. Any such recommendation or proposal should be referred to Technical Fire Safety Management for consultation.

2.4

For technical advice and guidance on residential and domestic sprinkler systems reference should be made to SO/6/36.

- End -

Dir.fin: HFRA 25 9 2002 Sprinkler Systems