Sprinkler systems to be fitted in all new and converted housing from 2016

Fire sprinkler systems will be installed in all new houses built in Wales from 1st January 2016, the Welsh Government announced.

Natural Resources Minister Carl Sargeant made the announcement at a visit to one of 12 Welsh Government pilot projects where fire sprinklers are already being included in new build homes.

Visiting the Station Yard project in St Athan today, Carl Sargeant said,

“Analysis has shown that installing sprinklers in new homes reduces avoidable death or injury arising from fires. The installation of fire sprinkler systems will go a long way towards minimising the risk of fire devastation. They are proven to help save lives.”

“Installing sprinklers increase initial construction costs in the short term, but the reduced risk of damage to the property, combined with their proven ability to save lives, make them a cost effective means of fire control in new homes.”

Huw Jakeway, Chief Fire Officer, South Wales Fire and Rescue Service (SWFRS) said:

“Fire sprinklers save lives and enhance the safety of occupants and Firefighters and as such we have been actively engaged in the Welsh Government Sprinkler Pilot Study Steering Group and the introduction of Domestic Fire Safety (Wales) Measure”.

“Whilst the ownership of working domestic smoke alarms have had a substantial impact on fire deaths and injuries in the home more remains to be done. Statistics show that 53% of fire deaths occur in the room where the fire started, this begs the question whether the victims of these fires were able to leave the room where the fire was, if they were not then clearly the only effective measure is one which controls or extinguishes the fire at a very early stage”.

“In addition to this there will also be considerable reductions in property damage, water usage and environmental impact.  There is a belief that all sprinkler heads operate at the same time, this is a myth, in fact it is generally case that only one head operates and successfully extinguishes the fire before it develops”.

“As a Service we support one of the highest life safety systems, and that is the installation of domestic sprinklers, which will ultimately increase the safety of the citizens and Fire-fighters of Wales”.