Staffordshire Commissioner for Police, Fire and Rescue and Crime, Matthew Ellis is backing the fire and rescue service’s campaign for a change in the law regarding sprinklers and residential buildings to help save lives.
Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service has been lobbying for many years to change the law – which currently doesn’t require domestic buildings up to nine storeys to install sprinkler systems – and the Commissioner is keen to add his support to ensure the subject stays firmly on the national political agenda.
Evidence shows that sprinkler systems in residential premises operate in 97 per cent of cases and they extinguish or contain the fire in 99 per cent of those cases.
“Since I became responsible for the fire and rescue service just over a year ago now, the issue of sprinklers in domestic properties has kept rearing its head. The evidence is clear that sprinkler systems save lives and reduce injuries – protecting both residents and firefighters – and that’s a very powerful argument for having them in my view.
“I want to put this firmly on the national agenda – it needs to be looked at without further delay. It seems ludicrous to me that only buildings of more than 30 metres – typically 10 storeys or more – currently require sprinklers, when the evidence of their value is so strong.
“There’s also real disparity between the law in England, Scotland and Wales – in the latter by law sprinklers have had to be fitted in all new residential properties since 2016 and in Scotland by law they have to be fitted in buildings of six storeys or more.
“We need consistency on this for the benefit of everyone, no matter where they live.”
Mr Ellis discussed this issue with Chief Fire Officer Becci Bryant at this week’s public performance board and he now plans to meet with the Business Sprinkler Alliance as a matter of urgency.
