Developers and local authorities need to “stop ignoring” the benefits of sprinklers, a deputy fire commissioner has said.
There are 10 fire incidents every week in the UK’s capital city and vulnerable people are in desperate need of the protection offered by sprinklers.
Rita Dexter, London Fire Brigade’s deputy commissioner, has expressed her concern at the number of vulnerable people who are still put in harm’s way through fire.
|
Year |
Fire Incidents in Care Homes (London) |
|
2008/9 |
541 |
|
2009/10 |
500 |
|
2010/11 |
477 |
|
2011/12 |
476 |
|
2012/13 |
540 |
Source: London Fire Brigade
The fire service attends 10 fires a week in care homes or sheltered accommodation, a statistic fire chiefs describe as “shocking,” and they have pledged to reduce the number of care home fires by 3 per cent in the next three years, as well as to promote the use of sprinklers as a life-saving tool to councils and housing providers.
There were two deaths from fire in care homes or sheltered housing in the past year and 26 fire-related injuries. London Fire believes that most of the 900 care homes for the elderly in the capital do not have sprinklers fitted, and they are calling on care homes to install them.
Dexter said:
Older people, as well as people with mental health problems and those with mobility issues, are the group most at risk from fire and we are concerned by the number of vulnerable people like this who are still harmed or killed by fire in places where they should be safe.
That’s why we want to see all residential care homes fitted with sprinklers. The number and regularity of care home fires that the Brigade attends is clear evidence that builders, developers, local authorities and private providers need to stop ignoring their benefits.
Source: London Fire Brigade
Scottish residences require sprinklers to be installed in new builds, and rules in Wales to enforce the installation of sprinklers in new and converted properties are set to come into force in September.
Although the number of incidents has remained relatively steady in care homes, the number of injuries in the year 2012-13 is at its lowest for the past five years.
What do you think? Should all care homes look into installing sprinklers? Is it time that Westminster stepped in and forced their hand?
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