§ Mr. Win GriffithsTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what recent estimate he has made of the value of domestic sprinkler systems in preventing deaths and injuries arising from domestic fires. [11146]
§ Dr. WhiteheadNone. The issue was last looked at by the Community Fire Safety Task Force in their 1997 report, "Safe as Houses." The Task Force concluded that sprinklers did not represent a solution in the medium term and considered the cost of nation wide installation in all existing domestic dwellings as being prohibitive. Similarly, the Task Force did not see any evidence to suggest the UK public is ready to accept the mandatory installation of sprinklers in their homes. They also felt that any mandatory installation would pose significant enforcement difficulties and could infringe upon the rights of private householders.
However, the Government recognise that domestic sprinklers have a role to play in promoting life safety, particularly for the most vulnerable; the Fire Safety Advisory Board will continue to assess their value in the light of emerging standards, and improvements in sprinkler technology. We have, therefore, recently commissioned research into the benefits of sprinklers in residential properties, including the preparation of a Regulatory Impact Assessment. The results and conclusions from this work should be available in a little over two years from now.
Additionally, the Housing Health and Safety Rating System, which we propose should replace the Housing Fitness Standard, includes guidance in respect of hazards from fire. Although not mandatory for houses of multiple occupation, sprinklers may well be recommended where the risk of fire is high.