Should Single-Family Homes Have Sprinkler Systems Installed?
In May 2020, UK legislation was updated to make sprinkler systems a legal requirement in residential blocks and mixed-use buildings over 11 metres tall — a significant reduction from the previous 30-metre threshold.
This change has greatly improved safety standards in high-rise living, but it also raises an important question:
should single-family homes and smaller residential properties be fitted with sprinkler systems, too?
Benefits of Residential Sprinklers
Smoke alarms do an incredible job of alerting occupants to danger — and have saved countless lives.
However, while they warn of a fire, they don’t do anything to actually control or suppress it.
And with modern homes now containing more flammable materials and electrical devices than ever before,
the fire risk has increased dramatically.
This is where residential sprinkler systems come in.
Research shows that in the UK, house fires account for 80% of all fire-related deaths.
Between 2010 and 2016, low-rise houses, bungalows, and maisonettes below three storeys made up
60% of all residential fires in London,
while flats above 10 storeys accounted for just 5%.
Clearly, smaller homes are often overlooked when it comes to fire protection — despite being at higher risk.
Why Aren’t Sprinklers Standard in Homes?
If sprinklers are so effective, why aren’t they installed as standard in new homes?
Former Fire Chief Ronnie King
has long campaigned for domestic sprinklers, criticising the Government’s reluctance
to “add any further burden of regulation to those responsible for building homes.”
King notes that “a single fire death in a sprinklered building is an extremely rare occurrence anywhere in the world…
a multiple death is almost unheard of.”
Other fire safety advocates share this view.
Derbyshire’s Fire Chief Sean Frayne, who launched the Think Sprinkler campaign,
famously described sprinklers as “a firefighter in every room of your home.”
The Residential Sprinkler Association (RSA)
and the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) have also consistently lobbied for mandatory sprinkler systems
in all new homes — regardless of their height.
Is It Worth It?
The main deterrent for homeowners tends to be cost.
Many view sprinklers as an optional “extra,” rather than an essential safety measure.
But as the London Fire Brigade reminds us,
“sprinklers are not a luxury — they save lives.”
In fact, data shows
that sprinklers are 99% effective across all building types.
They activate automatically, contain fires before they spread, and give occupants precious extra minutes to escape safely.
It’s clear that sprinklers deserve to be viewed alongside smoke alarms as a standard, essential home safety feature.
Protecting Your Home with Eversafe
At Eversafe Fire Protection, we specialise in residential and commercial sprinkler systems,
as well as dry and wet risers
for comprehensive fire protection.
If you’d like to explore sprinkler installation for your home or new build project,
contact our expert team today at info@eversafefire.com
or call 01795 713123.
For simple steps you can take now, see our 5 tips for fire safety at home.