The government has announced it is reviewing whether sprinklers should be made mandatory in new residential buildings over 18 metres high.
However, the consultation will not extend to reviewing whether sprinklers should be retrofitted into existing buildings over this height.
A new protection board is being set up between the Home Office and National Fire Chiefs Council to “provide further reassurance to residents of high-risk residential blocks that any risks are identified and acted upon”.
Up to £10m funding will be given to the board to inspect all high-risk residential buildings by 2021.
The board will also oversee that landlords who own buildings with ACM cladding are acting on the latest safety advice, and keeping residents updated about the state of the building.
The secretary of state for housing, Robert Jenrick, said: “Residents’ safety is our utmost priority and we are making vital improvements to ensure buildings are safe.
“I have listened to concerns on sprinklers from residents and building owners, and our proposals are an important step forward in shaping the future building safety standards.
“The new protection board will make sure building owners don’t flout the rules, as well as ensuring fire safety risks in other buildings are being addressed.”
As of 12th September, developers will be able to apply for a slice of the government’s £200m fund to remove and replace unsafe ACM cladding.
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