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Welsh politician teams up with firefighters to change the law |
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In a ground-breaking move, Welsh Assembly Member Ann Jones has proposed new legislation in Wales in a bid to provide all new homes in the principality with automatic domestic fire sprinklers. North Wales Fire and Rescue Service’s DCFO Chris Enness explains how crucial total co-operation between all interested parties is in order to drive this important initiative forward
ANN JONES PROPOSED THE NEW legislation after winning the ballot of back bench assembly members back in July 2007 and the legislation took a huge step forward on Wednesday October 10 when the Welsh Assembly supported the principle of the Legislative Competence Order. The aim is that from 2010 onwards the installation of automatic sprinkler systems would become mandatory in all new-build domestic properties in Wales. Partnership working is proving key to such an ambitious aim. Ann has teamed up with myself and other officers from the three fire and rescue services in Wales, as well as with the Fire Brigades Union to ensure the message is driven home.
The initiative is in line with the FBU’s ‘No to Fire Deaths’ campaign and as such is being fully supported by members of the union. Grant Mayos, FBU Wales’ Regional Secretary explains why they are backing Ann Jones: “A number of urban myths are being used to prevent domestic sprinklers from becoming a reality. Domestic sprinklers are aesthetically pleasing; they are far less obtrusive than fire alarms, cause minimal damage if activated and very rarely operate accidentally. Domestic sprinklers save life. Hopefully if Wales is successful with legislating their inclusion in new build dwelling from 2010, the rest of the UK will quickly follow. In time this will save many lives and will negate firefighters having to place themselves in undue risk. The FBU are very positive about this.” In taking the professional lead in this crucial new project, I am concentrating on coordinating the work of the three Welsh fire and rescue services. We have all agreed to work with Ann to secure her aim which, following approval at an Assembly Plenary session, will be presented to the Secretary of State for Wales to be laid before both Houses of Parliament and, if approved, the transfer of powers would be made through Orders in Council.
At What Cost?
Ann Jones is no stranger to the Fire Service and is drawing on her own experience in taking this initiative forward. “In proposing the new legislation I drew on my 25 years experience as a Fire Control Officer,” she says. “Every year in Wales, on average 20 people lose their lives through fire and last year 670 people were injured in fires. “Domestic sprinkler systems are like having a firefighter in every room 24 hours a day, seven days a week because that is what sprinklers are – instant firefighters. They tackle the fire and allow a protected escape route. Statistics show that nobody has ever died in a home protected by sprinklers.” She acknowledges that there may be criticisms that the cost would be prohibitive but stresses that if a sprinkler system is fitted at the building stage, the cost is no more than a central heating system or even a reasonably priced carpet. “Fires in Wales are estimated to cost £408 million per year. Imagine what the economy could do with that type of saving. I have asked the Assembly to make a real difference to the people of Wales by saving lives, having safer homes and building a safer Wales, and happily members supported my measure.”
Raising Awareness
In an effort to raise awareness among political and business leaders of the benefits of domestic sprinklers, the fire and rescue services in Wales have held various awareness raising events.
One, in North Wales, which attracted a lot of media attention and at which we were able to have a mobile sprinkler display unit, demonstrated the visible benefits of sprinkler systems. Another event took place in the Senedd (the Welsh Assembly Government building) and was attended by many of the Assembly Members and some of Cabinet of the Welsh Assembly Government. It is important that we take the time to dispel many of the myths that many members of the community or, indeed, business leaders, see as a real barrier to domestic sprinklers. I have no doubt that there will be many other demonstrations and presentations to come before this LCO is realised.
Water Pressures in Wales
Of course, Wales being very geographically diverse, has to consider the issues of water. The responsibility for taking reasonable measures for securing adequate water supplies for use in the event of fire is clearly stated in the Fire and Rescue Services Act, 2004 [section 38]. This act details how a fire and rescue authority can make arrangements with a water undertaker to provide and maintain the supply. Water companies are now heavily regulated with regard to water quality and continuity of supply and face financial penalties for failure as well as much larger sanctions for any health and safety breach. As private companies, there are also obligations to the shareholders as well as the customer.
Developments
In order to maintain the quality of water for drinking and to make the best use of the treatment that occurs, the water must flow constantly through the mains. However the higher the pressure in the mains, the more water is lost due to leakage. Any abnormal draw on the mains such as when used for firefighting can lead to discolouration, failure of mains and failure of flow pumps that may be overworked. To meet regulatory requirements, customer satisfaction and protection of sometimes very old water mains, water companies have more recently:
• Fitted pressure-reduction devices between trunk and service mains
• Reduced the pressure in mains during periods of low demand to minimise leaks
• Reduced the size of mains particularly into housing use.
Liaison
There is a Welsh Water Forum which allows water companies and fire and rescue services to come together to discuss these issues.
There is also a National Liaison group which has produced a National Guidance Document On The Provision Of Water For Fire Fighting, which offers guidance on how to resolve water-related issues in a holistic way. This national document states it ‘has the encouragement of the Welsh Assembly Government’, and was last revised in January 2007.
What Next?
The LCO received all party backing in a plenary hearing at the Assembly, on October 10. During the debate Ann received two rounds of applause from her fellow AMs. This is the first time anyone has received this form of congratulations during an Assembly debate. The LCO now begins a tortuous journey – firstly being referred to a scrutiny committee at the National Assembly, before it is transferred to the House of Commons for further scrutiny and debate.
For this initiative to become reality in Wales requires both Houses of Parliament to agree to relinquish control of Building Regulations in Wales to the National Assembly. A number of pressure groups, such as CBI and the House Builders Federation, are against control of Building Regulations in Wales being devolved to the National Assembly for Wales, for a variety of reasons. It is imperative, to prevent people from dying from fire and its effects that this legislative proposal is successful. This chart shows the legislative route for changes such as this to go through and clearly demonstrates that there is a long way still to go before this aspiration becomes reality. This is not the first domestic sprinkler initiative of its kind in the United Kingdom. A similar legislative attempt was made in Scotland a few years ago. Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service has also been very proactive with regard to domestic sprinklers – recently the building of a housing estate in Warrington was partly funded by the local authority. Half the estate was low cost housing protected by domestic sprinklers, whilst the other half of the estate was funded purely by the developer and built without incorporating sprinklers into the design. The developer has now received complaints from residents as to why the entire estate has not been protected by domestic sprinklers. With so many hurdles still ahead, this project is still in its embryonic stages but, with support from the right places and people, we just may be able to make a historic difference to safety in the home. The three fire and rescue services in Wales wholeheartedly support Ann in her quest for seeking new powers for the Assembly Government of Wales. This proposal will not only save many lives, it will save millions of pounds for the economy each year and will make Wales the safest place to live in the UK. I am hopeful that she will receive the necessary support from all other Assembly Members and that this turns out to be a great example of what can be achieved for the people of Wales by the Government of Wales.
What is a Legislative Competence Order?
Ann Jones is using the very first back bench LCO in the Welsh Assembly Government to propose that all new build houses should be fitted with a sprinkler system. The LCO is a new mechanism under the Government of Wales Act, 2006 under which the Assembly can request to acquire legislative powers from the UK Parliament in certain areas where responsibilities for those functions are already devolved. The LCO was given permission by the Assembly to allow this to proceed and Ann, with the assistance of the Fire Service and the FBU, is preparing to take this to the Legislative Competency Order committee.
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