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christmas tree fire sprinkler safety

Why Aren’t More Homes Protected By A Residential Fire Sprinkler System?

When a proven domestic safety measure, easily installed and widely available, also has the backing of industry professionals and campaign groups, it’s right to ask why every home doesn’t’ have one.  But is it really that simple?   Value, price, cost-efficiencies, economics and politics all play a role in explaining why legislation around residential fire sprinklers, hasn’t happened with the speed many would wish.

Value and risk in the eye of the stakeholder

One route to deciding if something merits our hard-earned cash, is to question whether outlay and outcome represent value for money.  But value is a subjective commodity and why some choose holidays over savings or a new car over refitting the kitchen.  ‘Value’, like ‘risk’ is fluid and firmly in the eye of the stakeholder.

firefighters outside home on fire

A devastating occurrence

The Price of Not Acting

December 14, 2017, marks six months since the fire at Grenfell Tower in London.   Predictably, the question of fire sprinkler use is again at the fore and it’s easy to see why.  Statistics show deaths in buildings protected by sprinkler systems to be a rare occurrence.   Yet, whilst developers, designers and landlords must conform to Fire Safety Regulations, the inclusion of sprinklers in all new-build domestic properties, is not compulsory.  Misconceptions around cost, aesthetics and conflicting opinion as to cost-efficiencies haven’t helped.

Cost-efficiencies

A number of studies have considered the ‘cost-efficiencies’ of fire sprinkler systems, and in reaching their conclusions, assigned varying values to single human life.  And therein lies the problem, because whatever the demographic of a given ‘population’ – elements which study factor into their findings – a supplier’s invoice, and loss of life do not share a common currency. A formulaic approach to deciding how we best protect people and in what circumstances might aid financial decisions making but when lives are lost, calculations lose their relevance.

The only reasonable premise is that everyone deserves the best possible protection from fire, and how, not whether that’s achievable. The answer, when it comes, will describe a mix of fire safety measures, and collaboration between government, fire safety professionals, designers, developers, Housing associations and Landlords but it won’t be easy.

A Sense of Perspective

Let’s look at this on a smaller scale – the cost of installing fire sprinklers in a single dwelling, compared to something else with a definable monetary price tag, like carpets.

A mains-fed fire sprinkler system, and the carpets for a domestic property will cost about the same.  Sprinkler systems need annual maintenance, carpets require hoovering and cleaning.

Carpets provide warmth and comfort, fire sprinklers offer peace of mind and enhanced protection of lives, property and the environment.  Carpets suffer wear and tear, fire sprinklers correctly installed and maintained, last indefinitely.  Residential fire sprinkler systems save lives, carpets …

It’s not that carpets don’t matter – of course they do, along with everything else that makes a house a home – but it is worth looking at the reality of what sprinkler systems cost compared to other household items, and the value of what they offer in return.   In an ideal world, no homeowner or landlord will ever come to realise the absolute value of the fire protection measures they choose to install, but it’s fair to say that their assessment will differ before and after a fire.

‘Once is a Mistake, twice is a decision’

It’s unthinkable, in the aftermath of Grenfell, that government will not revisit and enhance legislation around fire safety measures, including retrofitting fire sprinkler systems to existing properties.

Inquests held in the wake of earlier fires – tragedies that should have served as a leveller between officials charged with mitigating risk and those who endured the consequences – made for painful reporting. In addition to their findings, Coroners issued recommendations, to which more attention should have been paid. If the past teaches us anything, it’s not to make the same mistake twice, or as one wise soul put it “once is a mistake, twice is a decision.”

Ripple Effect on the Economy

Compulsory fitting of residential fire sprinklers could increase construction costs, and impact supply, affordability and sale or rental values per unit, though some researchers firmly believe this would not be the case.  The Thames Gateway Report (specific to the Thames Gateway development) provides further reading and opinion on the subject.

What we do know is that increased demand for fire sprinkler systems, installation and maintenance work, would deliver a welcome boost to manufacturing, GDP, jobs and apprenticeships.

Government can expect fierce lobbying from all sides and will attempt a balance – measures that do not over-burden developers and landlords or reduce housing stocks and affordability.

The Bottom Line

More fire sprinklers might translate to less demands on Fire and other ‘blue light’ services, for which there will be a cost saving to government, but not upgrading safety legislation guarantees further loss of life in domestic fires, to which we cannot assign a value, only the minus sign in front of it.  So, the question remains, why doesn’t every home have one?

Mist system was a great solution for our renovation needs and them team at RAD have been great. Always communicated clearly and been on hand to discuss over the phone as needed. Would highly recommend!
David
09:32 17 Jul 22
I have used RAD for a couple of projects and found them to be good to deal with. They did a pair of 3 storey open plan houses and seven three and four story town houses. The sprinklers were to improve fire safety, allow more flexible space and comply with building regulations. The sprinklers were far more cost effective than the mist type systems and look very discrete when installed.
Paul Jeary
15:50 11 Jul 22
It has been a pleasure to deal with RAD for installation of fire sprinklers at our site is Sevenoaks. They were fast, professional, working to time and quote, which made it easy to work with them.
Katrina Horobin
12:03 29 Jun 22
My requirement was a bit unusual for RAD in that I wanted a mist system in one room of a rented house. I had no drawings or technical back up. RAD were very helpful and repositioned the unit after the initial installation. Luckily with the help of Sonny, the engineer it all worked out very well.
Simon Gurney
16:16 12 May 22
I have used RAD for the last 10 years for all of my housing developments in need of a sprinkler system. Easy process from start to finish and no issues or problems throughout. Always someone at hand to answer a querie and we have a great working relationship with the team at RAD. Would highly recommend.
Roxy
15:33 12 May 22
Diligent & a very professional team. A joy to deal with. Will certainly be calling on them to help with many more future schemes.
Jason Tema
22:17 08 Jul 19
Great team, fitting sprinklers, saving lives & property... What more could you wish for!!!
Colin P
17:53 01 Jul 17
Excellent company & great service... This company rocks! They sprinkle fires & save lives!!!
Music N Videoz
07:15 16 Dec 16
As somebody who feels that it should be a necessity for all properties to have fire sprinkler systems, I am a big fan of this company. I have used them numerous times to service my home system and they are very knowledgeable. I would highly recommend their service.
Kate Fraser
09:25 30 Mar 15
One look at Rad Fire Sprinkler's website will tell you that these guys know exactly what they are talking about when it comes to Fire Sprinklers and the legislation surrounding fire safety. A very trustworthy company.
Adam Hudson
16:45 15 Nov 13

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