HC Deb 24 May 1993 vol 225 cc460-1W
Rev. Martin Smyth

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what statistics he has on the effectiveness against fire of sprinkler systems fitted to buildings in Northern Ireland, including the percentage of occasions on which they fail to operate, or operate inadequately.

Mr. Atkins

There are no statistics available on sprinkler effectiveness. However the fire brigade reports that, in its experience, operational failures are extremely rare and that sprinkler systems provide a highly reliable method of automatically controlling fire.

Rev. Martin Smyth

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the effect of blast on sprinkler systems fitted to buildings in Northern Ireland.

Mr. Atkins

Depending on the severity and location of a blast and whether it is accompanied by fire, a sprinkler system may either be unaffected, or be activated by mechanical disturbance or fire, or be disabled as a result of damage to the building structure or the water supply to the system.

The fire brigade reports that, in practice, blasts caused by bombs or blast incendiaries have had little detrimental effect on the operation of sprinkler systems.