COUNCIL MEETING, 28 NOVEMBER 2002

REPORT OF THE

CABINET/LEADER

PART I

SPRINKLER SYSTEMS

1. At its last meeting, the County Council referred to the Leader of the Council for consideration a Motion from Councillor K.G. Chapman on Sprinkler Systems. The substantive Motion was as follows:

"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.

Sadly, public buildings - particularly schools - frequently fall victim to arson.

Apart from the obvious danger to life, property and the environment, there can be immeasurable detrimental impact to the community in terms of disruption to public services.

Although there is generally no statutory duty to install sprinklers in County Council buildings (including schools), it is recommended that the Authority should set an example of good practice to its wider community by taking the initiative to fit sprinklers in all its new buildings in the future".

2. The Leader supports the thrust of the motion. His recommendation, which is supported by Councillor K.G. Chapman who attended when the Leader considered the matter, is that, as a matter of policy, sprinklers be installed in new, stand alone County Council buildings. Also, that where a major refurbishment to an existing County Council building is to take place consideration be given, if appropriate, to install a sprinkler system to that building.

3. Currently, County Council buildings, and new buildings in particular, have to meet the standards set out in the Building Regulations 2000. With regard to fire, these regulations concentrate on both passive and active fire precautionary measures such as fire detection and alarm systems, the design of compartmentation and fire separation into the structure, limitations on the use of inflammable material, the maintenance of effective and protected escape routes and the provision of limited fire fighting facilities. Many schools, with the active support of Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority, have installed supplementary measures such as smoke alarms. Sprinkler systems are not included in the current regulations as a mandatory requirement for buildings such as schools.

4. A growing view emerging from North America is that sprinkler systems would play their part, particularly in protecting property. Advantages of such systems include the immediate impact on a fire, the impact they can have to reduce heat and smoke damage, further protection of occupants and the enhanced security that they could provide. However, there are certain disadvantages such as capital cost, their maintenance, the impact of water damage in certain circumstances and the importance of having adequate water supplies and pressure. On balance it is considered that there should be more extensive use of sprinkler systems in new buildings. It is difficult to estimate precisely the cost of installing a sprinkler system without first designing a building. Taking schools as an example, it might cost up to £50,000 in a new primary school and perhaps, as much as several hundred thousand pounds, in a new secondary school. These costs would have to come from the Education Capital Programme as it is unlikely that the Department of Education and Skills would fund any requirement beyond the current Building Regulations.

5. Perhaps the biggest difficulty with the motion is that the County Council's proportion of new building to existing buildings remains on an annual basis very small. The vast majority of 300,000 people in Council buildings today will be in buildings without such provision. It would take many years to improve and replace building stock. The current budget provision for fire precaution measures is largely accounted for by fire risk assessment and work to support Social Services, in particular children's and elderly persons' homes, and adaptations to schools. It is not felt to be appropriate to abandon the current policy of trying to improve existing buildings at the expense of improvements to a relatively small number of new buildings. It would not be technically possible to fix systems to existing buildings in an economical way.

6. Taking all the issues into account a new policy of supporting the installation of sprinkler systems in new stand alone buildings is proposed, that judgement to be made at the time the relevant design project appraisal is being submitted for approval. The Chief Fire Officer would support this view. The existing policy for refurbishment and repair to existing buildings will, of course, continue. However, it is felt that where a major refurbishment to an existing building is due, consideration also be given to installing a sprinkler system to the property concerned at the same time.

7. This approach will make a significant impact on the quality of life for all those who use new County Council buildings by enhancing fire safety. It also allows the County Council to demonstrate actively its important community leadership role paving the way for others to follow.

RECOMMENDATION

8. (i) That the County Council approves the policy of installing sprinkler systems in new stand alone County Council buildings with the decision being made on approval of individual project design appraisals.

(ii) That where a major refurbishment to an existing County Council building is to take place, consideration also be given, if appropriate, to install a sprinkler system to that building.

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