Lessons in Legislation

The more things change, the more they stay the same. It’s a trendy phrase that unfortunately applies, at times. While the UK awaits a monumental cultural shift in the way we approach building safety, there are those whose campaign for new legislation continues.

Where are Changes Happening?

• Mandatory sprinkler installations in UK apartments over 11 metres
• Appointment of new Building Safety Regulator
• Building Safety Bill coming in 2023
• Mandatory new build sprinklers in Scotland apartments and social housing in
• Scottish safety and accessibility standards

This year has brought changes to the mandatory installation of fire sprinklers in residential buildings. From the 26th November 2020, residential buildings over 11 metres tall will be required by law to fit both sprinklers and wayfinding signage. This is part of the government’s pledge to step up building safety regulations, including their £1billion commitment to remove unsafe non-ACM cladding from high-rise buildings. 

Since the Grenfell Tower tragedy, building safety standards have been under increasing scrutiny. The new legislation could mean up to 63,000 apartments nationwide getting sprinklers, where currently there are none.

Thanks to a number of campaigners, officials and specially appointed advisers, the changes do not stop there.

Building a Better Future

Dame Judith Hackitt, government adviser to the new Building Safety Regulator, stated at the recent Construction Leaders Summit that “we need to fix the shameful legacy of regulatory system failure.” A Chief Inspector for Building Safety is due to be appointed in early 2021 and will be responsible for monitoring the drive towards better, safer buildings. Everyone from designers to building managers, to contractors will be required to report to the new Chief Inspector for Building Safety. 

It has been made clear to construction professionals across the supply chain that standards in record keeping, sharing of information and safety considerations need to be taken more seriously, as we prepare for more legislation in the Building Safety Bill in 2023.  

Meanwhile, new legislation north of the English border means even more residences will be getting sprinklers, by law, in 2021. The Scottish government has announced that all newly built apartments, new shared multifamily buildings and all new social housing will be protected with fire sprinkler systems. 

The Building (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2020 come into force on the 1st, March 2021. This follows changes to Scottish building standards around safety and accessibility, published in late 2019. This included more stringent requirements around external wall cladding systems, lowering the minimum height at which non-combustible cladding is to be installed from 18 metres to 11 metres.

Campaigning Continues

Upon reviewing the major legislation changes in effect, along with those announced to come into force in the next two years, it’s clear that the events of the Grenfell Tower tragedy triggered a monumental change in the way we review, implement and monitor building safety in the UK. 

There has been much criticism of the government’s latest publication of building design regulations, Building Bulletin 100, particularly as it pertains to schools. This publication is under review; meanwhile, sprinklers are as yet not a legal requirement in many educational facilities.

We are in a period of change, which means it's not over. Campaigners are still working harder than ever to ensure residents and vulnerable people get the same chance to live with the peace of mind that automatic fire suppression provides. 

Who’s still Campaigning for Change?

While campaigners’ voices have been heard in government in recent years, leading to industry changing legislation that will certainly affect many lives, others are waiting for that same opportunity.

A controversial discussion on fire safety is around the placement of sprinklers in schools. In England, they are not mandatory. However in Scotland and Wales, fire suppression systems are required in all new build and refurbished school buildings. 

A government petition has been established to alert the government to this inconsistency in fire safety around the UK:

“Ministers should urgently change the law to make sprinklers compulsory in all new-build and refurbished schools as is the case in Scotland and Wales. Investing in sprinklers is a small price to pay for improving the resilience of the school estate and protecting young people’s education.”

While there is no legal requirement for this to change, almost 2,000 fires in schools have been recorded in the last three years alone. The risk to lives and property has been highlighted in this petition, which at time of writing is looking for just over 8,000 more signatures. 

According to insurer Zurich, schools could be almost twice as likely to be affected by fire than other non-residential buildings. While the reason for this is unclear, the tragedy of school blazes does continue. 

Two Schools Destroyed in as Many Days

As seen in BBC reports, in Derbyshire this October, A fire was deliberately set, destroying parts of Ravensdale Infant School. Within a day of this arson attack, another fire destroyed parts of St Mary’s Catholic Academy. Police have not ruled out a link between the two. 

Speaking about the fire at Ravensdale Infant School, Chief Fire officer Gavin Tomlinson said,  "There was more than one seat of fire at Ravensdale Infant School. Someone has targeted the school and set it on fire with devastating consequences." He also said it was “heartbreaking” to see the extent of the major damage caused to the two schools.

Senior officials have since spoken out about the incidents, addressing a fundamental requirement for re-consideration about fire safety in England:

"All new schools - and those undergoing refurbishment - should have automatic fire suppression systems fitted. Sprinklers in schools is clearly a move in the right direction."

Roy Wilsher, NFCC Chair

"Where sprinklers are considered necessary to protect pupils and staff, they must be installed."

Spokeswoman for the Department of Education

“There is an economic case to fit sprinklers in schools and the government should see that this is done so as to protect its investment of taxpayers’ money.”

European Fire Sprinkler Network

What We Are Doing About It?

Fire sprinkler systems add a crucial layer of safety to non-residential buildings, especially educational institutions. As little as one activated sprinkler head could save a whole classroom from irreparable damage.

BlazeMaster® Fire Protection Systems go above and beyond to provide both residential and non-residential buildings a fast, thorough defense against the devastating effects of fire. 

Why BlazeMaster CPVC is Best in Class

✔ CPVC is simple to install; it is both fast and secure, without disrupting neighbouring occupants 

✔ Less costly than steel systems, enabling designers to cost effectively kit out entire buildings

✔ Versatile - requires less space for installation, allowing for flexible design options that don’t encroach on space

✔ Flame resistant - system integrity remains intact when exposed to intense heat

✔ Lightweight and durable - Less labour intensive than installing steel and resistant to damage

✔ Inherently resistant to pitting and corrosion - reducing maintenance requirements

✔ Approved for use in all light hazard commercial and residential occupancies, including schools

✔ Overall lifecycle outperforms metals plastic pipe alternatives.

Park Community School

As schools across England wait for the government to make their next move regarding fire sprinkler legislation, some UK schools are already experiencing the benefit of BlazeMaster CPVC safety. 

Park Community School’s £18 million renovation was to include fire suppression systems that could be efficiently installed as part of this huge new build and retrofit project. Due to the obvious time constraints with fixed term timetables, BlazeMaster CPVC was specified for it’s fast and flexible installation. 

Installation processes that would typically take days, took hours. Installers were able to peacefully equip the school with life-saving sprinkler heads while classes were still happening, since pipes and fittings do not require any loud construction tools.

The full installation of 913 sprinkler heads was completed between late 2014 and Summer 2015.

That’s the Lesson; Now the Homework

While much more needs to be done to make sure all of our educational institutions in the UK get the same opportunity to stay safe in the event of a fire, new sprinkler legislation and new building safety regulations means now is the time for everyone in construction and building management to understand what sprinkler systems can really do. 

Architects, Contractors, Installers and Building managers all have a part to play in building a safer future. Start by learning the benefits of fire sprinkler installation, how and where it can be done and what you can do to prevent more tragedy in the future.

With our 55 minute RIBA accredited CPD webinar, you can learn the process of installing BlazeMaster CPVC, get prepared for the new legislation and be ready to make a difference to families and young people.

Click here to get started on your free CPD course. 

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