Proposed Domestic Fire Safety Legislative Competence Order

Ann Jones

Pre-ballot Information: Outline Proposed Legislative Competence Order

Outline of proposed Order

Provision to ensure that all new build housing in Wales is fitted with automatic fire sprinklers systems.

Pre-ballot Information: Explanatory Memorandum

Policy Objectives of the Proposed Order

I would like to see legislation brought forward on domestic sprinklers. Ideally, I would like all new build housingin Wales to have, as mandatory, sprinkler systems installed. Sadly, hundreds of people die and thousands of people are injured each year by fires which occur in their homes.

Globally, no one has ever died in a dwelling fire where there has been a sprinkler installation and so in Wales many, if not all, of these deaths and injuries could be prevented if people had a sprinkler system which would extinguish or control a fire thereby giving the occupier valuable, additional time to exit their home.

Most people recognise that buying, fitting and maintaining smoke alarms provides them with vital minutes warning that a fire is developing in their home – time to allow occupants to escape before the fire takes hold.In addition to these smoke alarms, a home-based sprinkler system will immediately tackle a fire, cool hot toxic gases and prevent them from spreading by spraying water on it—a firefighter in every home for very little additional cost to either the builder or the purchaser.