Overview

This bill mandates a review of the Building Regulations 2000 in England and Wales to assess the potential benefits and drawbacks of requiring automatic fire suppression systems in new residential buildings. The review will consider costs, environmental impact, effects on firefighters, and the impact on house building practices.

Description

The Building Regulations (Review) Bill requires the Secretary of State to conduct a review and impact assessment within 12 months of the bill's passing. This assessment must consider:

• The cost-benefit analysis of installing automatic fire suppression systems in new residential properties.
• The environmental impact of both installing the systems and the reduction in fire sizes they could cause.
• The effects on firefighters and the impact on the fire risk presented by an ageing population.
• Existing evidence and experience with these systems in the UK and internationally.
• The impact on house building practices, both in the UK and internationally.
• The likely cost to households.
• The long-term sustainability of these systems.

The review will cover "new residential premises," defined as newly built homes, converted homes, and homes created by subdividing or combining existing residences. "Automatic fire suppression system" refers specifically to fixed systems using water propelled under pressure to extinguish fires.

The completed review and impact assessment must be presented to both Houses of Parliament.

Government Spending

The bill itself doesn't directly allocate funds. However, the required review will incur costs associated with research, analysis, and report preparation by the government. No specific figures are provided in the bill.

Groups Affected

The bill will affect various groups:

• House builders: Potentially increased building costs and changes to construction practices depending on the review's outcome.
• Home buyers: Increased upfront costs for new homes if the review recommends mandatory installation of suppression systems.
• Firefighters: The review will assess how the systems impact their work and safety.
• Environmental groups: The review will consider the environmental impacts of both the systems and the reduction in fires.
• Government: Responsible for conducting the review and making subsequent policy decisions.

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