Labour Assembly Member for Mid and West Wales Joyce Watson welcomed new moves to ensure that all new build homes in Wales are fitted with a sprinkler in each room.
Joyce Watson met fire officers from North and South Wales fire authorities at an exhibition at the Welsh Assembly Senedd showing the work that sprinklers can do. She discussed a range of fire safety measures and the importance that this legislation gets passed in Westminster.
The plans are in the Legislative Competence Order (LCO) proposed by Ann Jones AM for the Vale of Clwyd. Ms Jones won a ballot to became the first AM to propose a Legislative Competence Order (LCO) which would transfer powers from Westminster to the Welsh Assembly, allowing Wales to lead the way on fire prevention.
Joyce Watson AM said:-
"This proposal could save many lives across Mid and West Wales.
"Sprinklers stop fires at their very early stages, preventing them spreading to cause injury or loss of life.
"House fires can start so easily yet the consequences can be horrific. That is why I am supporting this important step forward for Wales."
Ann Jones AM said:
"Imagine a firefighter in every room in your home - 24 hours a day, 365 days in every year.
"Because that's what sprinkler systems are, they're instant firefighters.
"Where a sprinkler system has been installed in any UK property, not one life has been lost."
Ann Jones has estimated that including a sprinkler system adds around 1% to the cost of building a new home.
Joyce Watson AM (centre) with Welsh fire chiefs
