DFS 8 - Fire Industry Association

Written evidence from Fire Industry Association

Fire Industry Association

The Fire Industry Association (FIA) is a trade association that has approximately 250 company members. Currently the association is split into three sections, namely Fire Detection and Alarm, Extinguishing Systems and Services. It is the last two sections that would take in our sprinkler members. I should at this stage make it clear that while the FIA has members that are involved with domestic sprinklers that this is not a major sector for us. The main trade association involved with sprinklers of all types is BAFSA who I believe will also be ‘supplying’ evidence.

The FIA is the ‘trade’ member of the Business and Community Safety Forum which is an advisory body to the Government department, Communities and Local Government.

Background to the UK Fire Protection Market

The most recent market research sponsored in part by the FIA estimated that in 2006 the total value of the UK’s fire protection market was £2965M with residential sprinklers accounting for about £1.5M. The numbers may not be entirely accurate but it is clear that currently domestic sprinklers account for a very small percentage of the fire protection installed in the UK. The reasons for this are many and include the cost of the systems, the use of alternative fire protection systems (eg. portable fire extinguishers of which about £14M were sod to the ‘housing market in 2006) problems with water supply and the lack of drivers such as legislation or reductions in insurance premiums if the systems are fitted.

FIA Comments on the Legislative Competence Order: Domestic Fire Safety

Draft Explanatory Memorandum

In general the FIA supports the comments made in the other written evidence that has been shown to us, that is the FIA is in favour of the fitting of fire sprinklers in new domestic premises.

The following comments relate to the Legislative Competence Order: Domestic Fire Safety Draft Explanatory Memorandum.

Para 10, while the retrospective fitting of fire sprinklers is not covered consideration could be given to the ‘bringing up to fire code’ of houses when the are sold as is the case in some parts of the USA. If this was to the case then the rate at which the fire safety of Welsh dwellings was improved would increase. In this situation it would not only be sprinklers that might be installed but smoke alarms, fire doors, COP detectors and other relevant systems.

Para 32, the FIA has grave concerns about the reduction of other fire protection systems to justify the cost benefits of sprinklers. The removal of proven fire protection measures such as fire doors and ‘other structural elements’ opens up a line of argument that could easily be extended to say that if less money is spent on the fire and rescue services then these ‘savings’ could be used to justify the installation of sprinklers.

Graham Ellicott

Chief Executive Officer

Fire Industry Association

April 2008