Domestic Sprinklers in Wales: an excellent result
May 2011
It took almost four years from start to achievement, but the outcome – see what follows – reflects enormous credit on Ann Jones AM (in a former life a fire control operator) and her determination to see sprinklers fitted in new dwellings in Wales.
In 2007 the North Wales Fire Service produced a report which showed that, in their area alone in a period of six years, and in dwellings which were fitted with smoke detectors, 50 people had died in fires. That rate was substantially more than the average across all UK F&RS areas and indicated that something more than smoke detectors was called for.
Member of the Welsh Assembly Ann Jones represents the Vale of Clwyd and was once a fire control officer in Merseyside. Ann was given an opportunity in June 2007 to submit a proposal for an item of backbench legislation – a Legislative Control Order (LCO) – which would aim to have all new dwellings in Wales fitted with automatic sprinklers. An LCO would not change existing law but, if approved, would give the Welsh Assembly the power to do so using an Assembly Measure.
Following the submission of the draft LCO to the Assembly the proposed Assembly Measure went through a series of Scrutiny Meetings, at which it was examined in detail by a very wide range of interested organisations. At last, on 16 February 2011, after four stages of amendments, and by a unanimous vote, the Welsh Assembly approved the Measure (which bears the title 'The Domestic Fire Safety (Wales) Measure'). It went before the Privy Coucil on 7 April 2011, obtained the Royal Seal and, now, Regulations must be introduced to give practical effect to the Measure.
Ann Jones is now completely confident that such Regulations will appear soon. All new living accommodation – including houses and flats – in Wales must thereafter incorporate a sprinkler system. And the death rate in dwellings evidenced in the earlier report will, in future, be reduced as a result.
News taken from BAFSA Sprinkler Focus No 5 Newsletter
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