On Thu, 31 May 2012 00:38:50 +0100 David WE Roberts wrote :
From the figures quoted - 36 lives out of a potential 153 - they seem
to expect nearly a quarter of the fires and consequent fatalities to
be in new builds or conversions.
I assume there is the assumption that a sprinkler system will
eliminate fires altogether?

Control, not eliminate. My understanding - I might be wrong - is that
domestic sprinklers sprinkle rather than dowse. I've got them in my
flat, but it is a 43-storey tower. If a sprinkler is set off the fire
brigade gets notified automatically - serious money fine if it's your
carelessness.

Where I do think sprinklers should be mandatory is in multi-dwelling
timber frame buildings. Do I believe that all the required fire stopping
is incorporated at the time of construction? No - and if when you do an
inspection as a BCO it's missing, what about all the work done between
inspections. Will electricians and plumbers doing later alterations pull
it out of the way if necessary, yes. Will someone who has taken a fancy
to new concealed downlights worry about making holes in the ceiling that
is meant to provide fire protection to the flat above? On a good day
perhaps.

--
Tony Bryer, Greentram: 'Software to build on',
Melbourne, Australia www.greentram.com