Brand Director at Barbour EHS

December 9, 2020

Download

Whitepaper: Enhancing security, resilience and efficiency across a range of industries

Legislation

New regulations on sprinklers in Scotland for multi-occupancy residential buildings

Guidance has been published for the house building industry ahead of new regulations on fire suppression systems coming into effect next year from the Scottish Government.

The changes mean all new-build social homes, flats, and shared multi-occupied residential buildings must be fitted with automatic fire suppression systems from March 2021. Previously, this was only required in new high-rise blocks of flats above 18 metres.

It comes after David Stewart MSP proposed a private members Bill to improve safety in new social housing following the Grenfell Tower fire in 2017.

A number of outreach events are being held with providers of new homes in the run-up to implementation next March.

Housing Minister Kevin Stewart said: “I am very grateful to David Stewart MSP for his work on bringing this important issue forward and gaining cross-parliament support.

“The increased requirements for automatic fire suppression systems will further improve fire safety for thousands of new homes each year. These systems have been proven to save lives and it is right that we now make these changes.

“We will continue to work closely with housing providers to make sure there is wide awareness of what is required ahead of the new regulations coming into effect.”

Stuart Stevens, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Assistant Chief Officer, said: “The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service welcomes the amended regulations and the increased provision of automatic fire suppression systems. This provision is a significant step forward in fire safety and will increase the safety of our communities, residents and firefighters.”

Building Standards Technical Handbooks 2020: Summary of Changes is available here.

An update to Approved Document B in the Building Regulations for England and Wales also mandated sprinklers to be fitted in buildings above 11m (the trigger height was previously 30m) in November.

This news story is in partnership with Barbour EHS, a specialist information service provider supporting professionals across sectors including fire and security, FM, health and safety, sustainability and energy.

Download: Fire Strategy – A Director’s Briefing

Access new fire safety expertise by downloading the free Barbour Director's Briefing, and learn how to create a 'carefully devised plan of action' to make your fire strategy more comprehensive than ever. In this free Director’s Briefing, Barbour EHS provides key information relating to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 in England and Wales, including what is required from the responsible person of a property.

Related Topics

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
1 Comment
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Fab Alexander
Fab Alexander
December 9, 2020 12:01 pm

Angus Council were given an award in 2011 f2f or fitting sprinklers in new build civic housing. Last month the decided to stop fitting sprinklers and cited the reason too safe money.
It’s difficult to understand why they did this.