MSP consults on bill for social housing sprinkler systems

Compulsory sprinkler systems for all social housing in Scotland to be built in future are proposed in a potential member's bill in the Scottish Parliament, consultation on which opened today.

David Stewart, Labour MSP for Highlands & Islands, believes that while there is no single "fix all" approach when it comes to fire safety, "fire sprinklers are an important tool that hold much lifesaving potential". Against the background of last summer's Grenfell Tower tragedy in London, he comments in his introduction to the consultation that "although in Scotland fires are disproportionately more prevalent in more deprived areas, "there have been no instances of multiple fire death where a working sprinkler system was in place. My proposal is therefore to require the installation of sprinkler systems into all new-build social housing across Scotland".

He adds that "there may also be a case for requiring the retrofitting of sprinklers into such existing social housing stock. When considering the use of sprinkler systems, I therefore also wish to take the opportunity to consult on the issues surrounding retrofitting in high-rise social housing stock, as this could potentially be included in the bill, along with requirements for new homes".

Click here to view the consultation. The closing date for submissions is 16 April 2018.