Water, water everywhere is the Welsh Assembly’s answer to fire protection in the home. BWF expresses grave concerns.

In a surprise decision, the Welsh Assembly has voted to make sprinkler systems mandatory in new homes to be built in Wales. https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/5213864.article , although a private members’ bill failed to make sprinklers compulsory when it was rejected in the House of Lords last month.

The BWF-CERTIFIRE Fire Door Scheme, along with other colleagues in the Passive Fire Protection Federation is concerned that such a ruling suggests that sprinklers are the answer to fire problems in the home. ‘Although a balanced solution of sound structural protection, compartmentation and active measures is what is required, we must never rule out the importance of fire doors and the role they play’ states BWF-CERTIFIRE Fire Door Scheme Manager, John Fletcher .

‘Fire doors work because they are part of the building’s built-in fire protection, retaining compartmentation and playing an essential role in fire safety. Removing fire doors, or any of the components such as seals and closers, places too much reliance on occupier behaviour or trust that a sprinkler system or smoke alarm will take over protection’.

The insurance industry is also reported to have concerns over damage costs caused by sprinkler systems which are activated incorrectly or maliciously.

A recent industry survey shows that the annual spending on sprinkler maintenance was10% of new installation cost.

‘There’s no ‘welcome in the hillside’ for this idea here!’ Should sprinklers be made compulsory in all homes across the UK?
MAKE YOUR VOTE COUNT – by taking part in the AJ Poll relating to the article https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/5213864.article