Scottish minister pledges compulsory sprinklers for new social housing in light of Grenfell Tower fire

'This move will save lives,' says Kevin Stewart

The government has been criticised for restricting safety tests to one specific type of building cladding

A law to make sprinklers mandatory in all new social housing is to be taken forward by the Scottish government in the wake of the Grenfell Tower fire, which killed 72 people.

David Stewart, a Labour MSP, proposed a private member’s bill to make installing the systems compulsory and the Scottish housing minister, Kevin Stewart has vowed bring forward legislation on the issue.

The proposal is backed by a consultation which showed overwhelming support for the legislation.

It was also backed by more than 50 MSPs.

If adopted, it would remove the existing height stipulation in Scottish law, which states all new residential buildings taller than 18m must be fitted with sprinklers.

The move would bring all of Scotland’s local authorities in line with Dundee, Angus and Fife councils, as well as Wales.

Rules in England stipulate only buildings constructed since 2007 which rise above 30m are required to have sprinklers fitted. These regulations are the same in Northern Ireland.

Nowhere in the UK is it compulsory to retroactively fit sprinklers in existing buildings.

Kevin Stewart, the Scottish housing minister, said: “I am very grateful to David Stewart for his work on bringing forward this important issue and gaining cross-party support for his proposal.

“I can confirm that the Scottish government will implement the aim of Mr Stewart’s proposal and will bring forward legislation as soon as is practicable in this parliamentary session.

“This is an opportunity to further improve standards in our social housing and this work will be taken forward alongside the recommendations of the two reviews of building standards and fire safety which we will consult on later this summer.”

Mr Stewart added: “Fire sprinklers have been proven time and time again to be effective in the fight against fire and I know that this move will save lives.

“The strong backing for the plans from the public, industry and across the Parliamentary Chamber has been so encouraging and I am delighted that the Scottish Government have seen the sense in these proposals and have decided to take them on.”

He said he hopes the new legislation will come into force as soon as possible and eventually “all Scottish homes will be protected by this life-saving technology."

A report by the London Assembly, which investigated fire safety in the wake of the Grenfell Tower fire, recommended sprinklers should be required by law in every residential building.

Additional reporting by Press Association