Domestic Fire Sprinkler systems are widely accepted in the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and mainland Europe.
The Local Government Association (LGA) has recently been praised for the work it has carried out in promoting the use of sprinklers. Most Fire and Rescue Services thoroughly endorse the installation of Fire Sprinkler systems and Kent Fire and Rescue launched a campaign in November 2007 called “Safer with Sprinklers” with council bosses being urged to make sprinklers in new domestic properties mandatory.
Research from the Buildings Research Establishment (Effectiveness of Sprinklers in Residential Premises BRE report 204505) has concluded that the installation of a fire sprinkler system affords sound safety and economic benefits.
In Scotland, sprinkler systems are mandatory in new residential homes.
Legislation in Wales could make it compulsory to fit sprinklers in every new home if local MP Ann Jones can create new legislation under the 2006 Government of Wales Act.
There have been various comparison studies to test the effectiveness of Home Fire Sprinkler systems to tackle a fire.
These consist of taking two identical properties prior to demolition, arranging identical furniture positions and monitoring the
difference in fire spread between one property with a sprinkler system and the other without one.
There have been similar studies in North America. In several studies all newly built residential properties within an area were fitted with sprinklers.
The results have been very impressive with a marked decrease in death and injuries due to domestic fires.
