SPRINKLER SYSTEMS

1. This item was the subject of a motion put forward by Councillor K.G. Chapman at the September 2002 meeting of the County Council. The report back to Council in November 2002 proposed a new policy of supporting the installation of sprinkler systems in new stand alone County Council buildings. This has now been considered in detail by the Buildings, Land and Contracts Panel. Councillor K.G. Chapman and John Bonney, the Deputy Chief Fire Officer, also attended the Panel meeting.

2. Numerous regulations govern the construction or adaptation of County Council buildings and there is extensive liaison between the Property, Business and Regulatory Services Department and the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service. In future the approach is likely to move away from regulations and towards a risk assessment for each building to be constructed, extended or refurbished by the County Council.

3. The Buildings, Land and Contracts Panel reiterated the view that the County Council should take the lead by starting a programme of installing sprinklers in its newly-constructed buildings and should aim to encourage district councils and other public authorities to do likewise. Such a campaign could eventually lead to the installation of sprinkler systems in new homes.

4. The County Council is well placed to set an example since many of its buildings, notably schools and residential homes, represent valuable assets where both life and property would be at risk from fire. The presumption in new buildings should be in favour of sprinkler systems being installed and this will be an aspect to be taken into account when project appraisals are approved. There will also be cases of buildings being refurbished where the installation of sprinklers would be a suitable option, and again that can be determined at individual project appraisal stage. There is also scope for the County Council to exercise its influence by including the provision of sprinkler systems within the development brief when land is marketed for development.

5. The Leader has considered the matter at his decision day on 16 January 2003 and fully supports, as does Councillor K.G. Chapman, the views expressed by the Buildings, Land and Contracts Panel.

RECOMMENDATION

That the policy of installing sprinkler systems in new stand-alone County Council buildings be endorsed and that the decision be considered on approval of design project appraisals in each case; that suitable opportunities be taken to consider sprinkler systems in buildings being refurbished where appropriate; that provision be made within development briefs for sprinkler systems to be included where County Council land is released for residential development; and that District Councils and other public authorities be encouraged to promote the provision of sprinkler systems in their building developments.

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