Fire Sprinkler Legislation comes to Wales...

 

This April has seen the introduction of a monumental piece of Fire Safety legislation, making Wales the only country in the world where it is mandatory to install Fire Sprinklers in every ‘newly created’ Residential premise.

The legislation applies to all residential premises including;

  • Private Dwellings
  • Social Housing
  • Care Homes
  • Halls of Residence
  • Residential Blocks of Apartments/Flats

Despite continued opposition and overwhelming negativity, Ann Jones AM who represents the Vale of Clwyd constituency has tirelessly campaigned for over four years to ensure her proposal didn’t go ‘un noticed’.

On 16th February 2011, the Welsh Assembly Members voted unanimously in favour of the Domestic Fire Safety (Wales) Measure 2011, which was presented to Her Majesty the Queen on 7th April 2011 for her Royal Approval.

The regulations outlining the implementation of the new legislation are currently being written, and are expected to reach the public domain by early next year. From this point on, it will be the responsibility of the local building control departments to ensure compliance alongside the existing Building Regulations.

Unfortunately, the lack of information and education for the general population has led to a poor understanding of the benefits of Fire sprinklers, and a result, most people have been misled by the media to believe a common set of misconceptions.

  • When a sprinkler system activates, copious amounts of water are discharged
  • When one sprinkler head activates, they all do
  • Residential sprinkler systems are expensive
  • Sprinkler heads create an eyesore
  • The sprinklers will operate when cooking 

 

Our dedicated team will be more than pleased to help you and your colleagues gain a better understanding of the operation and benefits of Fire Sprinklers. If you would like us to visit your premises for an informal chat, please feel free to drop us a line.

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