Public urged to sign sprinkler e-petition

Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service is encouraging the public to sign an e-petition to make sprinklers compulsory in all new dwellings. If the petition receives the backing of 100,000 people, it could be debated in Parliament. The petition comes following the recent introduction of a law in Wales, which will make sprinklers compulsory in all new homes. Technical fire safety group manager at Wiltshire, Julian Parsons said: “Put simply, sprinklers are the equivalent to having a firefighter ready and waiting in every room of your home. There are a lot of misunderstandings out there regarding how sprinklers work, but the reality is that they only actually activate when the temperature reaches over 68ºC because of a fire and even then they only activate in affected rooms.” Wiltshire had the first social housing estate in Europe to be fitted with sprinklers, at Studley Green in Trowbridge. Parsons said evidence shows that no one has ever died in a fire when their home was fitted with a sprinkler system. He added: “The Welsh Government has recognised this, which is why they have now introduced legislation – we would like to see similar laws introduced here in England.” To pledge your support for the petition, click here and search for sprinklers.