Sprinkler system for building extension

[Guest Theresa]

Hello.
The Building Inspector has suggested that we may need a Sprinkler system in our house. It is a terraced house and we are building a rear extension and mansard. Could you please direct me to any legislation where I can see whether we have to install a system, or perhaps there are simple guidelines to residential houses which say when you should have one and when you don't need to - ie, perhaps number of bedrooms etc.
Thanks so much for your help.
Theresa

[Tom Sutton]

You need to find out why the Building Control Officer is recommending sprinklers, is it because fire service access is poor or is it as a compensatory factor for a poor means of escape or is there any other reasons?

[green-foam]

I know that from September 2013 all new builds and converted properties in WALES must have domestic fire sprinklers installed, but I for one can not find a law / regulation that says YOU MUST have sprinklers installed in a domestic premises. Smoke alarms yes.

One other thing.

Above is a commercial fire sprinkler

Above is a domestic fire sprinkler (You only see the flat white disc when installed)

As you are not sure, I would suggest you ask the building inspector what his reasoning is.

(I see while I was writing, Tom posted)