THE FUTURE FOR RESIDENTIAL SPRINKLERS IN SCOTLAND

摘要

On 1 May 2005 a new system of building standards will be introduced to Scotland. The Building (Scotland) Act 2003 promotes a more efficient approach to compliance with European Directives. Similar to other regulatory regimes in the rest of the UK, the new Scottish system is based on mandatory functional standards and guidance. The system will be regulated by the Scottish Building Standards Agency (SBSA), an Executive agency of the Scottish Executive, and will be implemented in the first instance by Scottish Local Authorities. Current practice in Scotland is reasonably inflexible. It is difficult for alternative design strategies to be adopted because of the mandatory Technical Standards. Residential sprinklers are installed as a result of one or more departures from the standards. Whilst I endorse this principle, designers find the current system too inflexible and bureaucratic especially when designing new buildings. From May 2005 this burden will be removed and local authorities will be able to accept alternative approaches to fire safety without the need for a formal relaxation of the standards.