Proposals to make sprinklers mandatory for all new homes dismissed

Proposals to make automatic sprinkler systems mandatory for all new homes in the UK have been ruled out by the government.

The measures were put forward in a private members bill by Labour peer Lyndon Harrison, who called on changes to the Building Regulations that would make sprinkler systems and fire suppression systems a requirement for new homes. Currently they are only necessary on new residential buildings over 30m in height.

At a second reading in the House of Lords, Tory whip Earl Attlee said that suggestions that there should be greater requirement for sprinkler protection in Building Regulations for residential and domestic buildings and for public and commercial buildings will be given due consideration, but there is little new evidence to suggest a need for change.

Moves are already under way to make sprinklers mandatory in new homes in Wales, which from next year will be responsible for its own Building Regulations

 

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