A LABOUR MSP wants to change the law in the wake of the Grenfell fire to ensure all new council and housing association properties have sprinklers fitted.
David Stewart, member for the Highlands and Islands, said the move was a “common-sense proposal that will save lives”.
His plans for a Member’s Bill at Holyrood are being brought forward after the Grenfell Tower blaze in London in June that claimed about 80 lives.
Stewart aims to change the law to place a duty on councils and housing associations to install sprinklers in new-builds. The MSP said: “The tragic events of the Grenfell disaster have put fire safety to the forefront of many people’s minds. There is a small gap in our legislation that I think can be filled by a commonsense proposal that will save lives.
“Now, I believe Scotland should follow the example of Wales and pass legislation to make the installation of sprinklers in all new dwellings compulsory.”
The proposals have already won the backing of the Fire Brigades’ Union, with regional officer Denise Christie saying the union had already called for Scotland to follow the example of Wales.
She said: “This fire safety Member’s Bill is a step in the right direction and we hope every MSP gets behind it and supports it.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here