Building Regulations (Review) Bill (HC Bill 181)

1 Review of the Building Regulations 2000

(1) Within 12 months of the passing of this Act, the Secretary of State shall conduct
a review of and impact assessment for the amendment of the Building
Regulations 2000 with regard to the installation of automatic fire suppression
5systems in new residential premises which must include, but is not limited to,
an assessment of—

(a) the cost and benefits of automatic fire suppression systems in
residential premises;

(b) the environmental impact of the reduction in the size of fires both in the
10UK and internationally;

(c) the environmental cost of automatic fire suppression systems;

(d) the likely impact on fire risk of an ageing population;

(e) the impact of automatic fire suppression systems on fire-fighters;

(f) the evidence for and experience of automatic fire suppression systems
15already available both in the UK and internationally;

(g) the impact of automatic fire suppression systems regulation on house
building practices both in the UK and internationally;

(h) the likely cost of automatic fire suppression systems regulation to
households; and

(i) 20the sustainability of automatic fire suppression systems.

(2) The review and impact assessment conducted under subsection (1) shall be
laid before both Houses of Parliament.

(3) In this Act—

• “new residential premises” means—

  Building Regulations (Review) BillPage 2

  (a)

  premises constructed for residential use;

  (b)

  premises converted to residential use;

  (c)

  premises converted to use as a single residence by physical
  subdivision of one of more existing residential premises; and

  (d)

  5premises converted to use as a single residence by physical
  incorporation of more than one existing residential premises;

• “automatic fire suppression system” means any automatic fixed system
  intended to extinguish, control or contain fires by means of water
  propelled under pressure through pipework and spray heads which
  10operate when a predetermined temperature is reached.

2 Short title and extent

(1) This Act may be cited as the Building Regulations (Review) Act 2011.

(2) This Act extends to England and Wales only.