IN 2011, Wales became the first country in the world to make the installation of automatic fire suppression systems (AFSSs) mandatory in new homes and blocks of flats, as well as care homes and university halls of residence. That law came into effect in 2013. Seven years later, building regulations in England were changed to reduce the minimum building height at which sprinklers are required in new residential buildings, from 30m to 11m. Fast forward to last December, when Scotland voted to implement changes that mean all new build social housing properties, flats and shared multi occupancy residential buildings must be fitted with AFSSs from this month. Previously in Scotland, AFSSs have only been required in new high rise blocks of flats above 18m.
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