Wales is to become the first country in the world to compulsory fit sprinkler systems to new builds, The law will apply to newly built houses and blocks of flats, as well as care homes and university halls of residence.

The water authorities have some concerns over this because it means larger pipework and a meter that is able to distinguish what is sprinkler water and what is domestic water because water used for fire fighting is not chargeable, there could be pressure problems as well that could result in expensive water storage and a fire pump.

The National House Building Council (NHBC) said it had a neutral position on the policy, but raised some questions during the consultation process regarding cost effectiveness and whether existing water pressures would enable sprinklers to work in many homes.

In a dig against the English they said, "The building industry had its chance to fit sprinklers in all new homes, but it was now time to legislate so we can make people's lives in Wales a lot safer".

regards

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"Take nothing but a picture,
leave nothing but footprints!"
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"Oh! The drama of it all."
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"You can throw all the philosophy you like at the problem, but at the end of the day it's just basic electrical theory!"
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Edited: 24 June 2011 at 10:44 PM by rocknroll

Rain and sheep, two of the things the Welsh have in abundance, more sheep than people I believe and generally no shortage of water as their mountains force the clouds to dump it before it gets to us, so it's just a matter of getting it to the right place at the right time at the right pressure and flow.

Andy

There is a program on Iplayer showing the effect of fire on two bedrooms, one with wool furnishings and the other with polyester. The difference is much as the above link pictures.
link

A reduction in flammable furnishings would make more difference than sprinklers, particularly if they also didn't give of poisonous smoke. I am not convinced that a sprinkler fed with a low pressure 20mm supply would put out a well seated fire of very flammable material, although it might suppress the fumes somewhat and therefore make the smoke alarms slower to operate. Clearly another layer of interlinking is required. People are killed in fires in most cases by fumes or lack of oxygen not burning, and often the victims are children or old people who cannot escape without help. It will take many many years before this measure has any effect on statistics, whereas better materials would show an effect in a few years because furniture is replaced much more regularly than houses.

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David
CEng etc, don't ask, its a result not a question!

You got the lamb to thank for that!