Derbyshire Building Control Partnership (DBCP) is urging people throughout Derbyshire to back the London Fire Brigade’s (LFB) call for a change in the law, which would see sprinklers fitted in more new-build residential developments.
The call follows the Grenfell Tower disaster in June 2017, where a fire at the London tower block led to the death of 72 people.
The Government is currently consulting on building regulations that include a crucial section on sprinklers.
In England, sprinklers are a legal requirement in new residential blocks taller than 30 metres. LFB wants all purpose-built residential blocks to have sprinklers installed, irrespective of height.
Worryingly, England is behind Wales where sprinkler legislation is concerned. In Wales, sprinklers have been required in all new houses and flats since 1 January 2017 under Wales, Part B (Fire Safety) – New Building Regulation 37A (1) (c).
David Pratt, Building Control Manager at DBCP commented: “I fully support this move and would urge any developer to install sprinklers as a matter of course rather than waiting for a change in law. They are not as ugly as they used to be and can be made to look very discrete these days.
“Sprinklers should be installed in all flats no matter what the cost – you can’t put a price on people being safe in their own home.”
DBCP is joining LFB by emailing MPs across Derbyshire to urge them to change the law on sprinklers to make people and buildings in England safer.
Simply email your MP and tell them you want sprinklers to be mandatory in:
- all buildings housing vulnerable residents like care homes
- all purpose-built blocks of flats over six storeys
- all homes where vulnerable people live.
You could also help make a difference by tweeting your MP Find your MP’s Twitter address here
To find out how we can help you with building regulations, please visit our services page here.