Sprinklers needed in 300 tower blocks
SNP ministers urged to fund upgrade of high-rises
HUNDREDS of tower blocks in Scotland still do not have sprinkler systems – sparking calls for urgent investment from SNP ministers.
Figures published yesterday show that more than 300 blocks across the country do not have potentially lifesaving fire protection installed.
It means thousands of families would be at risk if a fire spread through a building like it did at Grenfell Tower in Kensington, west London, last month, killing at least 80 people.
Since 2005, it has been a legal requirement to fit sprinkler systems in all new-build tower blocks in Scotland.
However, the legislation did not require them to be retrofitted to high-rises built before then.
The Scottish Government last night said it would consider the matter after facing calls to upgrade the 300 blocks.
Brian Sweeney, former head of Strathclyde Fire and Rescue Service, said: ‘I think the Scottish Government have led the way in requiring sprinklers since 2005 in care homes and high-rise blocks.
‘What I want them to do is say they want to work with councils, they want to prioritise installation of sprinklers and they want to make sure these 300 high-rises are fitted with sprinklers over the next three to five years. I think that would show a progressive approach to fire safety.’
He added: ‘If you can put sprinklers in hotels, if you can put them in high-rise premises and offices and commercial premises, well lets take a look at those council estates where people are most vulnerable, like Grenfell, and let’s make sure they get them as well.’
The figures emerged following a BBC probe into fire standards in Scotland’s tower blocks.
They found 67 blocks in Glasgow, 59 in Aberdeen and 48 in both Edinburgh and North Lanarkshire are without sprinkler devices.
They were among 319 which had no sprinkler systems. Only South Ayrshire Council had retrofitted sprinkler systems to high-rises.
The limited use of sprinklers comes despite an independent report published this year that found they were 99 per cent effective at controlling or extinguishing fires.
The Grenfell fire started in a fridge in a fourth-floor flat before spreading through the building to catastrophic effect.
Scottish Conservative housing spokesman Graham Simpson said: ‘The Grenfell tragedy appalled the entire country and it’s vital we never see a repeat of it. That’s why it’s absolutely right to question the safety of tower blocks right across Scotland. In light of what happened, the Scottish Government should work with councils to ensure every tower block is installed with sprinkler systems.
‘That’s what the people living there would expect, and it has to happen immediately.’
Scottish Labour deputy leader Alex Rowley said: ‘Communities Secretary Angela Constance should be meeting with councils as a matter of urgency over this.
‘Labour believes the Government has a responsibility to work with councils to put in place a programme that will ensure the highest safety standards in all high-rise flats, which would include sprinkler systems.
‘The SNP Government must accept it also has a responsibility not just to agree any improvements to safety in high-rise flats, but also to fund such programmes.’
Probes into fatal fires at Lakanal House in London in 2009 and Shirley Towers in Southampton in 2010 both recommended that retrofitting of sprinklers should be considered for all high-rises.
A Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘While we continue to be confident that we have stringent fire safety regulations, following the tragic events at Grenfell Tower it is imperative we undertake a review of regulations.
‘The ministerial working group overseeing this will consider all relevant measures to ensure safety of residents in high-rise buildings, including a review of evidence on fire suppression systems, including sprinklers.’
‘It has to happen immediately’