Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps the Government is taking to promote the benefits of sprinkler systems.

Building regulations already cover the use of sprinklers where they are necessary to protect people’s lives such as in high rise flats, shopping malls and large retail warehouses open to the public.

The benefits of sprinklers are set out clearly in the guidance the Government makes available to assist those with fire safety responsibilities under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. This aims to help businesses and others to make informed decisions on the fire safety measures that are appropriate for their particular circumstances.

While we recognise that sprinklers are effective, in many cases, they are not the only, or the most cost-effective, option for fire protection. The part sprinklers play in any fire safety strategy should be determined by the findings of the fire risk assessment for the building or premises.