Calls grow for wider hotel fire safety reforms as Scotland introduces new sprinkler rules

by Breaking NewsFire SuppressionHospitality

New hotel fire safety regulations for historic building conversions spark debate over sprinkler requirements across the wider hospitality sector

The introduction of mandatory sprinkler systems in historic hotel conversions across Scotland has prompted fresh calls for wider hotel fire safety reforms, with industry figures questioning why the new requirements do not extend to all hotels.

The regulations, which came into force on April 6, require sprinkler systems to be installed in traditional buildings converted for hotel use. The move follows a series of fatal hotel fires and represents one of the most significant changes to hotel fire safety requirements in Scotland in recent years.

However, fire safety advocates argue the legislation has also highlighted a broader issue: while some converted historic hotels must now install sprinklers, there remains no general requirement for sprinkler systems in many modern, purpose-built hotels.

The changes stem from recommendations made following the fatal fire at Cameron House Hotel on Loch Lomond in 2017, which claimed two lives and prompted a major review of hotel fire safety standards. The tragedy exposed weaknesses in fire protection arrangements and led to calls for stronger suppression measures in buildings used to accommodate sleeping guests.

While the new rules have been welcomed as a positive step, attention has now turned to evidence suggesting fire risks are not confined to historic buildings.

Analysis commissioned by the Scottish Government as part of its review of sprinkler requirements found that hotels built using non-traditional construction methods experienced a higher frequency of fire incidents and greater levels of physical fire damage than traditional converted properties during the period studied.

The findings have prompted questions over whether future fire safety reforms should consider a wider range of hotel types rather than focusing solely on historic conversions.

The debate comes against a backdrop of continuing concern over hotel fire incidents across Great Britain. More than 400 hotel fires are recorded annually, according to industry figures, equating to more than one fire every day across a hotel stock of around 9,500 properties.

Advocates of wider sprinkler adoption argue that while the latest regulations address a specific area of risk, they do not resolve concerns about fire protection standards across the wider hospitality sector.

The issue has remained in the spotlight following the fatal fire at the New County Hotel in Perth in 2023, which claimed three lives and renewed scrutiny of fire safety arrangements in hotels.

Industry campaigners say Scotland has taken an important step by introducing mandatory sprinklers for historic hotel conversions, but believe the evidence supporting sprinkler protection should continue to be examined across all forms of hotel accommodation.

As the new regulations begin to take effect, attention is likely to focus on whether policymakers are prepared to consider further reforms aimed at expanding sprinkler requirements beyond traditional buildings.

The debate is expected to continue as fire safety professionals, hotel operators and government officials assess the impact of the new rules and the broader implications for guest safety across Scotland’s hospitality sector.

Barking project prompts sprinkler warning from Business Sprinkler Alliance

by Featured NewsIncidentsIndustry Comment

Sprinkler strategy and building use

A multi-storey industrial building in Barking has been cited by the Business Sprinkler Alliance (BSA) as an example of how a compliant fire strategy can still restrict building use.

Tom Roche, Secretary of the Business Sprinkler Alliance, said the development was designed as a multi-storey industrial and warehousing scheme and described as a pioneer project, yet most of it remained empty two years after completion.

The building was presented as flexible workspace with tall ceilings, roller shutters and vehicle access to upper levels.

Only a small fraction of the available space has been let. The issue was linked to the fire strategy.

The sprinkler system was designed for industrial use rather than storage use.

Flammable materials can therefore only be stored to a height of around 1.2 metres.

In units capable of accommodating storage at much greater height, that restriction limited the range of occupiers the space could support.

Barking and Dagenham Council described the sprinkler system as having been “value engineered” to “balance cost, compliance and anticipated use”.

The system complied with fire safety regulations, went beyond the guidance in fitting the sprinklers and passed the required checks before sign-off.

Business Sprinkler Alliance sets out wider concern

Roche said the case showed how fire engineering strategies can shape what can be stored, how space is used and whether a building remains commercially viable.

He wrote that fire engineering strategies are often agreed early and then rarely revisited.

He also said further value engineering can alter the long-term use of a building even when a strategy is later updated.

In this case, the property is reported to need an additional £2.2 million to allow it to be used in the way intended.

Roche also referred to other examples including schools with atria that cannot hold events and large warehouses with clear heights that cannot be protected with ceiling-only automatic sprinklers.

He said: “A building that cannot be let because its fire strategy restricts its use is not a success.

“A development that requires millions of pounds of remedial work shortly after completion is not a success.

“A scheme that looks right, feels right, but functions incorrectly has failed at a fundamental level.”

He added: “If a building looks like a warehouse, is marketed as a warehouse and is priced as a warehouse, then it should be able to operate as one.”

The Business Sprinkler Alliance said it would continue to argue for fire safety approaches that place protection, resilience and continuity alongside life safety.

Sprinkler upgrades schedule set in Manitoba health facilities regulations update

by Featured NewsFire SuppressionProjects

Sprinkler upgrades milestones set in updated regulations

Updated fire safety regulations in Manitoba have been amended to align with a phased construction schedule for retrofitting health-care facilities with sprinkler systems.

The Manitoba government announced the change through Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care Minister Uzoma Asagwara.

Asagwara said: “In 2020, the previous government changed the completion target without updating regulations or providing clear public communication,

“When we formed government in 2023 and became aware of that gap, we focused on protecting residents, supporting front-line workers and ensuring strong fire safety measures were in place at every site.

“Our government worked with health facilities and local fire officials to confirm interim protections while moving projects into active construction.”

Construction schedule and compliance dates across 194 facilities

The sprinkler installation requirement was established in legislation in 2015 for personal care homes, hospitals and health-care facilities, with a system-wide completion target of Jan. 1, 2026.

A $286 million fire and life-safety initiative fund was created in 2020 to support the work, with the regulatory framework not updated at that time to reflect the revised construction schedule.

The requirement for sprinkler installation remains unchanged, with the updated regulations setting milestones as work continues at hospitals, personal care homes and health centres.

The updated framework applies to 194 active health-care facilities, with work phased to keep sites fully operational during construction.

Site-specific compliance schedules are based on the scope of work required.

Construction activity has accelerated since 2023.

The Manitoba government said $73 million has been invested in the fire and life-safety initiative to date, with approximately $2 million spent prior to fall 2023 and more than $71 million invested since then to move projects into active construction.

A total of 117 hospitals, personal care homes and health centres are reported to have full sprinkler coverage.

An additional 41 sites are expected to reach compliance by the end of the 2026 to 27 fiscal year, bringing the total to 158 of 194 facilities completed.

The remaining 36 sites are scheduled for completion by Dec. 31, 2028.

Facilities awaiting upgrades are required to maintain enhanced interim fire safety measures including regular inspections, staff training, response planning and ongoing co-ordination with local fire services.

The updated regulations align legal requirements with the current phased construction schedule while sprinkler installation work continues across the province.

Safety you can count on: Armstrong Fluid Technology’s modular fire safety approach

by Featured NewsFire Suppression

Mike DeMille, Global Offering Manager, Fire Systems at Armstrong Fluid Technology discusses how to enhance protection and reduce costs with prefabricated fire safety solutions

Fire safety systems are a critical safeguard in protecting people, property and business continuity.

At the heart of these systems, fire pumps ensure a reliable water supply and adequate pressure to suppress fires when every second counts.

The performance and dependability of these pumps can make the difference between a controlled incident and catastrophic loss.

For many building owners who haven’t faced a real fire emergency, it can be difficult to see the value in the ongoing investment and maintenance of fire safety systems.

Yet safeguarding occupants doesn’t have to mean committing excessive time and resources.

Containerized fire pump systems offer a practical, efficient alternative.

These pre-engineered units deliver the critical water supply needed for automatic sprinklers and standpipe systems, serving as a vital line of defense for both people and property during emergencies.

Beyond their role in enhancing safety and operational reliability, prefabricated fire pump solutions deliver measurable savings at every stage- from streamlined logistics and simplified installation to reduced operational costs over the system’s lifespan.

The impact of manufacturing and installation

Manufactured in a controlled factory environment and housed within a standard 20ft or 40ft shipping container, these systems are delivered as complete, ready-to-use units- perfectly suited for international shipment.

Their modular, self-contained design ensures not only easy portability but also simplified maintenance, resulting in cost efficiencies across the entire supply chain.

When a project needs change, the units can be quickly removed, relocated and reinstalled, offering exceptional flexibility to meet evolving requirements.

Installation is equally efficient.

By arriving fully assembled, these units can cut installation time by as much as 95%, removing the need for complex on-site construction.

Once delivered, the pump house simply needs to be positioned and connected to the existing sprinkler network—often requiring nothing more than two pipe connections and two power hookups.

In contrast, conventional “stick-built” fire pump systems consist of multiple components sourced from different suppliers, all of which must be assembled on site.

This process can take weeks and typically demands the expertise of at least three certified tradespeople equipped with specialized tools.

It’s clear, then, why containerized fire pump solutions can deliver significant labor cost savings by streamlining both sourcing and installation.

Comparison to traditional systems

Traditional sprinkler systems involve many complex components, making on-site construction inefficient and prone to delays.

Contractors must source, handle and coordinate all materials while ensuring each part meets code and works seamlessly together—a task that often exceeds the expertise of designers and architects.

Mechanical engineering consultants and specialist sprinkler contractors are typically required to ensure all components are correctly sized and meet standards for safety, performance and quality.

Armstrong Fire Pumps ensure that pressurized water is available at sprinkler heads to suppress fires and save lives, providing a reliable backbone for these complex systems.

Fire pumps themselves offer several benefits that make them integral to a robust system: they allow flexibility in mechanical room layout, are available in a wide range of flow and head capacities and come in both electric and diesel options.

Maintenance can be performed without disturbing piping or the driver and the system can be designed without concern for large differences between minimum and maximum water pressure.

However, conventional fire pumps also have drawbacks: they require a large floor space, restrict mechanical room layout due to direction of rotation, involve more components to service and are generally more costly.

Containerized solutions overcome many of these challenges, offering compact, pre-engineered designs that maintain all operational benefits while minimizing the limitations of traditional installations.

Transforming the approach to fire protection

Ensuring proper on-site assembly of traditional fire systems requires highly skilled labour – a requirement that is often overlooked in the Middle East due to cost pressures and shortages, based on my experience with Armstrong Fluid Technology.

Yet when it comes to fire safety, quality and performance cannot be compromised.

This is why factory-built, containerized solutions are ideal.

Prefabricated units are produced using precise engineering drawings that define exact dimensions and connection points, greatly reducing the risk of human error.

When manual testing, servicing or repairs are needed, technicians benefit from convenient access via a dedicated service door.

Additionally, integrated fans and ventilation within the container create a comfortable working environment even during extended maintenance tasks.

At Armstrong Fluid Technology, we’ve seen how containerized fire pump solutions are transforming the way organizations approach fire protection.

Unlike traditional on-site builds, containerized units are fully assembled, tested and certified off-site before delivery, combining all the operational advantages of high-performance fire pumps with the efficiencies of prefabrication.

This was originally published in the December 2025 Edition of International Fire & Safety Journal. To read your FREE copy, click here.

Sprinkler systems: How watertight are they?

by Breaking NewsFire SuppressionProducts

This year, the UK government reduced the height threshold for new residential buildings requiring sprinkler systems, in a bid to make housing safer. But how effective are sprinklers really? Ian King, COO, Zeroignition explains in this exclusive article.

With the anniversary of Grenfell back in media headlines, the construction industry is once again thinking about fire safety. Sadly, since the tragedy, not enough has been done to safeguard high-rise buildings, yet the introduction of the Building Safety Act, offers hope of change. It’s an important time for the sector – making the right changes now could create safer structures for generations. Get it wrong, and we could have another disaster on our hands. 

Yet as it stands fire safety in construction is still falling short of the mark. Protocols around safety checks are lacking and knowledge about products and systems is far from satisfactory.

An obvious example are sprinkler systems – well known for their effectiveness in suppressing fire when deployed correctly, yet evidence suggests that inspection processes lack a robust enough framework to ensure their reliability.

According to the FPA, by law, in the UK only 20 sprinkler heads out of every 5,000 are required to be examined yet an estimated 40 million sprinklers are fitted worldwide each year. By comparison, in the U.S., all sprinkler heads have to be checked annually with additional monthly inspections.

In short, we have no idea exactly how many will work in the event of an emergency, presenting an unacceptable threat to life.

Seeing the bigger picture

This isn’t to say that sprinkler systems aren’t an effective method of fire protection – we know that when deployed correctly, they’re one of the best forms of defence. In fact, Fire Safety Advice Centre statistics show that not a single person has died in the UK where a working sprinkler system has been present in a building. What’s more, research by The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) shows that sprinklers are effective almost 100% of the time when helping to extinguish or control fires as well as prevent further damage. So long as they work.

However, we’d be wise to avoid using them as a one-size-fits-all protection strategy. Instead, we should view and include them a part of a diverse mix of passive and active fire protection options – think fire-resistant walls and floors (passive) and fire blankets and extinguishers (active). Especially given the UK’s track record for safety checks and evaluation. The NFCC for example, reported over 1,000 ‘failures to operate’ in a corporate context from 2011 to 2016 and a recent U.S. study by the NFPA reported that 10% of sprinkler failures result from a lack of maintenance.

Understanding the bottom line

The hard truth is that we know construction industry thinking is strongly driven by profit margins, and sprinkler systems initially come with a hefty price tag. Taking into account the cost of setup, supplying and maintaining high water pressures and energy for a functional system, prices can quickly escalate. That’s not accounting for the costs to maintain and check systems in-person. Of course, money shouldn’t be a factor when risk to life is involved but there’s no denying that cost implications can sway the level of safety within a build.

Relying on sprinkler systems can also side line other fire safety options, allowing housebuilders to treat fire safety as a ‘tick this box exercise’ rather than treat it with the holistic approach it needs. For example, we know that good passive protection reduces or removes the need for active fire suppression – with broader considerations, we can ensure multiple safeguards.

We’ve also seen uncertainty around fire safety terminology, which needs to improve if we’re to make future structures safe and highlights the need for legislation that benchmarks industry best practice.

For example, in one of our research studies, we found that just over half of all architects couldn’t give an accurate definition of passive fire protection – ‘built-in’ fire protection. What’s more, 58% of architects were unable to explain what ‘reaction to fire’ is – a measure of flammability. Almost three-quarters (71%) were unable to define fire resistance – the ability of products and technologies to resist and prevent the spread of fire.

Encouraging innovation

Relying on a one-system approach to fire safety also stifles innovation. Without room to introduce new strategies, the industry could be missing out on more effective, less expensive options. It isn’t about abandoning sprinkler systems entirely – we know that they work and, when properly maintained, have been proven to save lives. However, in order to move forward, we need to see them considered as part of a more well-rounded approach to fire safety – one that brings both passive and active solutions into the mix.

By doing so, occupants will receive improved levels of safety in the properties they purchase. Beyond this, for contractors and developers, it shows that they are doing all they can to invest properly in fire safety – which is exactly where the industry needs to be.