Families Back The National Fire Chiefs Council’s (NFCC) Think Sprinkler Campaign To Improve Sprinkler Regulations In The United Kingdom

The families of two much loved mother,s who lost their lives in a tragic care home fire, have backed the National Fire Chiefs Council’s (NFCC) campaign urging the government to improve sprinkler regulations in England.

Daphne Holloway, 88 and Ivy Spriggs, 91 sadly lost their lives, after an accidental fire ripped through Newgrange Care Home, in Hertfordshire, United Kingdom, on 8th April 2017. 

NFCC’s ‘Think Sprinkler’ campaign

Daphne & Ivy’s daughters, Claire Miles and Carole Murray added their support, as part of NFCC’s ‘Think Sprinkler’ week of action, which runs from May 16th to May 22nd, 2022. While 33 residents were rescued by the Hertfordshire Fire & Rescue Service, Daphne and Ivy died in their beds, as firefighters were unable to reach them. 

The National Fire Chiefs Council wants all care homes to be fitted with sprinkler systems in the United Kingdom

The National Fire Chiefs Council wants all care homes to be fitted with sprinkler systems in the United Kingdom. Retrofitting and requiring new build care homes to have sprinklers can help to protect people and these buildings, both now and for future generations. With a growing and ageing population, many more people could be reliant on care. 

Sprinklers help reduce fire damage by around 75% and people are 50% less likely to be injured. On 99% of occasions, sprinklers can control or extinguish a fire, according to research carried out the by the NFCC and the National Fire Sprinkler Network (NFSN).

Need for Building Regulation reform in England

However, unlike in Scotland, Wales, and many other countries, there is still no Building Regulation requirement in England for care homes to be fitted with sprinklers. It is, therefore, very disappointing and difficult to understand how Newgrange Care Home has been rebuilt without sprinklers installed, against the recommendation of the Hertfordshire Fire & Rescue Service.

The inquest into the deaths concluded in February 2022 found inadequate compartmentation in the roof space had contributed to the deaths. Evidence from the fire service and an independent fire safety expert highlighted that if a sprinkler system had been installed, the two deaths were likely to have been prevented.

Fire sprinklers in care homes help in mobility

As mentioned above, there is no Building Regulation requirement for sprinklers to be fitted in care homes in England, despite the fact residents can have additional mobility and/or cognitive needs, which cause delays in evacuation should a fire occur.

Some care homes do choose to install sprinkler systems for both life and property protection, but these are the exception, where the majorities do not.  

Cost of lost lives much More than sprinkler installation

We applaud those care homes that have opted to install sprinkler systems"

Claire Miles, the daughter of the late Daphne Holloway, commented “Yes, there is a cost to fitting sprinklers, but there's a greater human cost to those who risk life and limb for others - and those firefighters called to Newgrange certainly did that. There's a cost to losing those we love, before their time and in such terrible circumstances.”

Mark Andrews, Lead for Higher Risk Accommodation at the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC), said “Families should reasonably expect that when looking for care for loved ones, they should be assured they receive good care and are kept safe, including from the catastrophic risks of fire. We applaud those care homes that have opted to install sprinkler systems.”

Call for broader installation of sprinklers in all care homes

Mark Andrews adds, “More widespread installation of sprinklers in all care homes will prevent future deaths and could have prevented the loss of life at Newgrange, and in other care home fires, across the United Kingdom. We urge families to ask questions of care home managers and owners, to ensure your loved ones are adequately protected from fire.” 

Senior Hertfordshire Coroner - Geoffrey Sullivan wrote to the UK Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, RT HON Michael Gove, requesting action be taken to prevent future deaths.

Geoffrey Sullivan also formally raised a concern that sprinkler systems are not a mandatory requirement in care homes - whose occupants may have limited or no independent mobility, and therefore, are at greater risk of fire. 

Need for changes to fire safety guidance to enhance safety

The UK government’s response indicated that as part of the ongoing technical review of Approved Document B

The UK government’s response indicated that as part of the ongoing technical review of Approved Document B, which provides fire safety guidance to meet building regulations, there may be future potential changes. This could mean improvements to fire safety measures in housing for vulnerable residents. It also stated analysis for sprinklers in care homes will be accelerated and available this year.

It also pointed out that a more ‘robust regulatory regime’ will apply to higher risk buildings, led by the Building Safety Regulator. This would mean care homes that are at least 18 metres in height or at least 7 storeys high would fall within this new regime. However, the National Fire Chiefs Council has concerns that this height threshold means that care home settings are unlikely to fall within it, as they are very rarely more than 2 or 3 storeys in height.

‘High risk’ buildings should include vulnerable residents

The definition of ‘high risk’ buildings should not just apply to high rise – it should be widened out to where vulnerable people sleep and consider the needs of those who live in the buildings and their ability to respond to a fire incident. 

The government in England lags behind many other developed nations, for example, Australia, which require sprinklers in all care homes and closer to home, Scotland and Wales, where sprinklers are already required in new build and converted care homes.