Devon Fire Fighters Want Sprinkler Safety

Fire fighters in Devon are backing a campaign to make sprinkler systems a legal requirement in new buildings.

They say recently the life of an 81-year-old woman was saved because her domestic sprinkler system was activated by a chip pan fire. The system had been installed just five weeks earlier.

Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service say the systems are vital in schools and residential care homes.  They're also necessary in  rural or isolated areas where it could take fire crews a long time to reach.

But ALL homes would benefit from sprinklers.  And the service will be campaigning for new legislation requiring that every new building is automatically fitted with sprinklers.  New laws have already been brought in in Wales.

Fire officer Ian Haim's been talking to our reporter Wendy Buckingham CLICK HERE

For further information on sprinklers and general fire safety advise please visit www.dsfire.gov.uk  or call 01392 872200