The prospect of an eventual reduction in the number of residential fire fatalities in Scotland has moved closer with Mary Mulligan, the Deputy Communities Minister, writing to the Building Standards Advisory Committee (BSAC) asking them to consider the issue of sprinklers in the light of research published last month by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM).
BSAC, an advisory non-departmental public body, advises the Scottish Executive on its function relating to Part II of the Building (Scotland) Act 1959.   You can download the report from the ODPM website here.

Ms Mulligan stated:

"The Scottish Executive has been working closely with ODPM, which has responsibility for fire safety issues in England and Wales, on jointly-sponsored research into sprinklers in residential properties. The first phase of this work has now been completed and published.
It is important that this work is considered carefully from a Scottish perspective. I have asked the Building Standards Advisory Committee, which provides advice to Scottish Ministers, to consider the issue of sprinklers in light of the ODPM research report."

Mick McKay, Fire Safety Commander, Tayside Fire Service also commented:

“There has never ever been a recorded death in a sprinkler protected building. As a brigade we are very much behind the Executive’s push for sprinklers to be installed. I personally would like it extended to all domestic properties and homes in Tayside."