DFS 18 - National House Building Council

(Saesneg yn unig)

NHBC (the National House-Building Council) is the standard setting body and leading warranty provider for new and newly converted homes in the UK.

Overall NHBC has a neutral position on the requirement for the installation of residential sprinkler systems in new homes. Whilst the fire safety protection afforded to occupants will undoubtedly improve, this has to be balanced against technical and cost issues, which led CLG to decide that for other than high risk buildings such as care homes and flats over 30 metre high, the costs outweighed the benefits. A similar situation exists in Scotland. Costs are open to debate, but published indicative costs of £1500 for a new build 3 bed property seem to be the norm. This needs to be balanced against a fragile economic climate, affordability and need to incentivise housing supply to meet demand projections.

Technically, water supplies need to be reliable and of adequate pressure and it is likely that residential sprinklers will not operate effectively in a significant proportion of households, due to insufficient water pressure. This will result in greater expense, as pumps and storage tanks will need to be introduced, to achieve the required sprinkler coverage in the event of a fire occurring. This will require investigation, to ensure a practical solution is forthcoming that can be applied to the vast majority of new homes.

As a standards setter and warranty provider, NHBC would expect life safety systems such as sprinklers to be designed and installed by Competent Persons. A Competent Persons scheme needs to be set up, to ensure that the highest standards are being applied and without a system in place we would be unlikely to consider covering such systems with Buildmark Insurance.

We consider that an Order relating to a single property type is too piecemeal an approach , bearing in mind that other buildings with sleeping risks and vulnerable occupants need to be taken into account

Definitions are also important – what is the extent of the term residential premises? Does this include houses, or are flats included. Is the scope intended to cover other residential facilities such as care homes, houses in multiple occupation, student and key worker accommodation?  

National House-Building Council

April 2008