Research by the Buildings Research Establishment (Effectiveness of Sprinklers in Residential Premises BRE Report 204505 ) has shown that there are sound safety and financial benefits to the installation of fire sprinklers.

• Fire sprinklers can be used as a tool to overcome structural fire protection difficulties: for example, it can be cheaper to install sprinklers rather than build a dividing wall up into a roof space.
  
  
• Evacuation procedures can be difficult and confusing: use of sprinklers will contain a fire and so make for simpler, smaller scale evacuations.
  
  
• Older people can have difficulties in opening doors: sprinkler installation will allow for relaxation of self-closing doors.
  
  
• When staff are limited, use of sprinklers allows valuable time for full assessment of risk and evaluation of next steps.
  
  
• Installation of sprinklers means that staff can concentrate on their residents’ welfare rather than dealing with the fire itself.
  
  
• With sprinklers you can reduce the amount of other fire-fighting equipment such as extinguishers and fire blankets.
  
  
• Inclusion of a sprinkler system within the package of fire protection measure gives confidence to both clients and their families.