Endorsements and Further Information
Endorsements for Residential Fire Sprinkler Systems
Residential fire sprinkler systems are widely accepted in the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and mainland Europe.
The Local Government Association (LGA) has been praised for the work it has carried out in promoting the use of sprinklers and most Fire and Rescue Services thoroughly endorse the installation of Fire Sprinkler systems. 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.
Scotland and Wales Legislation for Residential Fire Sprinkler Systems
In Scotland, sprinkler systems are mandatory in new residential care homes.
Legislation in Wales has make it compulsory to fit sprinklers in every new home in Wales following a very successful campaign by local MP Ann Jones under the 2006 Government of Wales Act.
Studies Testing Home Fire Sprinker Systems
There have now been so many comparison studies to test the effectiveness of Home Fire Sprinkler systems to tackle a fire that the evidence is irrefutable:
These studies will typically 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 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 impressed with a marked decrease in death and injuries due to domestic fires.
Probably, the most impressive example of a successful sprinkler activation must be the incident in America where someone tried to murder another person by pouring petrol over them and then setting light to the bed while they were asleep. A fire sprinkler head activated and extinguished the fire saving the sleeping person’s life!
