The families of two women who lost their lives at a care home fire in Hertfordshire in 2017 have backed the National Fire Chiefs Council’s (NFCC) campaign urging the government to improve sprinkler regulations in England.

Claire Miles and Carole Murray, daughters of Daphne Holloway and Ivy sprigs who lost their lives at a fire at Newgrange Care Home, have added their support as part of NFCC’s ‘Think Sprinkler’ week of action which runs from 16-22 May.

NFCC are campaigning for all care homes in the UK to be retrofitted with sprinkler systems, as well as requiring new build care homes to have sprinklers to help protect residents in these buildings today and for future generations.

According to research by NFCC and the National Fire Sprinkler Network, Sprinklers reduce fire damage by around 75% and people are 50% less likely to be injured. On 99% of occasions sprinklers can control or extinguish a fire.

There is currently no building regulation requirement in England for care homes to be fitted with sprinklers.

Claire Miles, daughter of Daphne said of the campaign: “Yes, there is a cost to fitting sprinklers, but there’s a greater human cost to those who risk life and limb for others – and those firefighters called to Newgrange certainly did that. There’s a cost to losing those we love before their time and in such terrible circumstances.”

Mark Andrews NFCC lead for higher risk accommodation, said the NFFC applauds homes that have opted to install sprinkler systems.

“More widespread installation of sprinklers in all care homes will prevent future deaths and could have prevented the loss of life at Newgrange and in other care home fires across the UK,” he said.

“We urge families to ask questions of care home managers and owners to ensure your loved ones are adequately protected from fire.”