Published February 18, 2019
London Fire chiefs want the fire sprinkler law introduced to protect residents living in high-rise buildings.
They say fire sprinklers should be fitted to all new build residential blocks over six storeys or 18 meters in height.
And they want sprinklers retrofitted to all high-rise buildings at the same height regardless of age.
London Fire Brigade says new laws are needed to prevent a repeat of the Grenfell Tower tragedy in which 72 people lost their lives.
Commissioner Cotton said: “Sprinklers save lives, they’re not a luxury.
“We think they’re essential in every high-rise building, and in places where our most vulnerable residents live – places like care homes.
“The LFB are campaigning on vital things like sprinklers because we think that no community should ever have to suffer in the way Grenfell has.”
London Fire Brigade says spot-checks of new builds prove that ‘self-regulation’ does not work.
Ignored
They found only two out of 15 newly completed blocks, for which planning applications were made in 2016, heeded Brigade advice to install sprinklers.
They claim developers ‘consistently ignore’ fire safety advice and now want tougher action.
She added: “I think that some developers ignore our advice because they think that sprinklers cost a lot of money or cause potential damage.
“But that’s just not the case. When you start the building off the initial cost is about 1% of the build cost to fit a sprinkler.
“It’s a no-brainer. They save lives. What cost is 1% of the building?”
Since 2007 it has been mandatory to fit fire sprinklers to new blocks taller than 30 meters.
But there is no law regarding the retrospective fitting of fire safety measures for buildings built prior to 2007. Instead, it is left to the discretion of property owners.
London Fire Brigade (LFB) say this leaves thousands of people at risk and want the fire sprinkler law changed to force building owners into action.
Vulnerable
She added: “We know that buildings that don’t have sprinklers now that house vulnerable people and people in high-rise are a risk to them.
“Last year, we had 27 people die in house fires. None of those buildings were sprinkled and people who are dying in places like care homes, those are the people we should be looking after.
“So, it’s really important those are the types of buildings that have sprinklers fitted.”
In December, shadow housing minister Sarah Jones told MPs that six in 20 tower blocks in Kensington, in and around Grenfell, still did not have sprinklers. She added that only 4% of council blocks in London are protected by fire sprinklers.
She said at the time: “Sprinklers are mandatory in new tall buildings because they keep people safe, but councils do not have the funds to retrofit social housing blocks and Government has brushed away every single request for help as non-essential.
“Why does the Government continue to stigmatise and discriminate against social housing tenants?”
The Government believes an appropriate level of fire safety can be achieved without retrofitting sprinklers.
Communities Secretary James Brokenshire said sprinklers were important but “one of many fire safety measures” that could be adopted.
Mr Brokenshire said: “There is nothing more important than ensuring people are safe and feel safe in their homes and I welcome LFB’s input into our consultation on fire safety regulations.
“I will be considering all submissions, including the LFB’s, carefully, in informing next steps.
“Sprinklers can be effective, but they are one of many fire safety measures that can be adopted. Sprinklers are already required in all new high-rise residential buildings.”
Read LFB Sprinkler Statement
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