NEWS The government concluded
that there ‘may also be situations where the risk assessment for the building […] requires further work to be done’, and ‘regardless of the minimum requirements of the regulations there is, of course, merit in providing additional protection throughout the building’. Housing Secretary Robert
Jenrick commented: ‘New statutory guidance published today also means that all new residential buildings over 11 metres tall will be fitted with sprinkler systems. This is another critical part of our commitment to delivering the biggest changes to building safety for a generation.’ British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association (BAFSA) chief executive Keith MacGillivray made this comment: ‘Yesterday the Government announced the implementation date for a number of changes to [ADB], including the requirement for automatic fire sprinklers in all flats above 11 metres, these changes will be required as from 26th November 2020. ‘The change requiring
automatic fire sprinklers in all new built flats over 11 metres will significantly increase the use of domestic and residential sprinklers in this sector which has already seen a large increase since the disastrous Grenfell Tower fire. This marks a major success for BAFSA, NFSN [National Fire Sprinkler Network], BSA [Business Sprinkler Alliance], EFSN [European Fire Sprinkler Network], NFCC and all our partners who have campaigned for so long for changes to ADB.’
Sector responses
The FPA welcomed the change, ‘given the increasing use of combustible materials in the structure, insulation and cladding of buildings’, but added that this ‘must not allow for a reduction in passive fire protection measures within the residential environment or other safety management systems.
The fire protection and built environment stakeholders must seize this opportunity to allow passive and active measures to come together to protect people, property and the environment’. It also believed that work
‘must now be done to improve the installation standards and approval schemes for residential sprinkler systems to reduce the likelihood of potential escape of water issues. Designers and installers must be third party accredited and trained, and approval schemes regularly reviewed. Demonstrating the value and necessity for sprinkler systems has been challenging, and we would like the systems installed in residential buildings to be as resilient as those used for commercial protection, albeit with a life safety remit’. Dr Jim Glockling, technical
director of the FPA and director of RISCAuthority, commented: ‘In situations where occupant evacuation and fire service attendance might be delayed due to mobility or building complexity, sprinkler systems are known to save lives where smoke detection alone is insufficient.’ The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) all ‘jointly welcomed’ the move and had ‘been calling for a change in government policy on high-rise blocks for over a year’. All three issued a statement
in March 2019 ahead of a Westminster Hall debate on fire safety and sprinkler systems calling on the government ‘to require the installation of sprinklers in all new and converted residential buildings, hotels, hospitals, student accommodation, schools and care home buildings of 11m in height or above’, and the retrofitting of sprinklers in buildings ‘when relevant refurbishment takes place’. They had all also provided evidence to the consultation, and
the government said that this had demonstrated ‘the benefits to life, safety and in reducing the degree of damage by installing sprinklers in blocks of flats’. CIOB director of policy, research and public affairs Eddie Tuttle stated: ‘It is a very welcome move by the government to lower the height threshold for the installation of sprinklers. ‘The CIOB and our sister
professional bodies have long believed it is a necessary change and will go a long way to improving the fire safety of buildings in the UK. This measure will finally provide the clarity that is needed, not just within our industry, but also for the public and the fire service.’ Gary Strong, RICS’ director of global building standards, added: ‘RICS alongside other bodies have worked hard to make the case for the installation of sprinklers, and have been pressing for this change for years. Whilst we would have liked the policy to go further to make it mandatory rather than just guidance within ADB, we welcome this first step. ‘Sprinklers save lives and no one in the UK should live in high rise or medium rise buildings without this protection, we urge the government to now address the thousands of existing buildings that are not covered by this ruling. There is no financial incentive for existing building owners to retrofit sprinklers, and this needs state intervention.’ Jane Duncan, chair of RIBA’s
expert advisory group on fire safety, commented: ‘This is a step in the right direction and shows the government are listening to our collective calls. However as we approach the third anniversary of the tragedy at Grenfell Tower, fundamentally too little has changed. ‘The upcoming building safety
bill must enact real reform to deliver a clear, considered and effective regulatory process that places responsibilities on the right roles at the right time to keep people safe.’
www.frmjournal.com JULY/AUGUST 2020 7
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