Fire and Rescue NSW new research findings

In late January, Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) released the research findings of two reports based on the effectiveness of sprinklers in residential buildings up to 25 metres in height and the functionality of current residential smoke alarms to reduce the number of fatalities in residential fires in NSW.

According to FRNSW Commissioner, Paul Baxter, the three years of research determined “stronger measures are needed to ensure best practice fire safety and fire prevention in homes”.

The two reports produced a series of recommendations to improve the standard of home fire safety in NSW. These recommendations included:

• The installation of smoke alarms in every living area, bedroom and hallway
• Interconnecting all smoke alarms for maximum protection
• Using automated fire suppression systems (home sprinklers) to help control fires in residences.

The report outlines modern residential buildings were significantly more flammable, compared to older buildings,  due to the materials now used in construction. Mr Baxter also stated that FRNSW has since submitted a Proposal for Change to the 2019 National Construction Code, “that seeks to mandate sprinklers in all new Class 2 [apartments, home units and flats] and Class 3i [large boarding houses, guest houses, hostels, backpacker accommodation, residential parts of hotels, motels, schools, health care buildings, detention centres, certain facilities for aged care, children and people with disabilities] shared residential accommodation buildings up to 25 metres in effective height”.

For further information on the reports, visit fire.nsw.gov.au .

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