Cameron House FAI: Architect calls for mandatory sprinklers in historic hotel buildings

dailyrecord.co.uk:

An architect says it should be mandatory for sprinkler systems to be installed during conversions of historic buildings, including hotels, in the wake of the fatal Cameron House Hotel fire.Peter Drummond, who specialises in heritage and conservation work, gave evidence at a Fatal Accident Inquiry at Paisley Sheriff Court today (Monday).The inquiry is being held into the deaths of Simon Midgley, 32, and Richard Dyson, 38 who died at the Loch Lomond hotel on December 18, 2017 after a blaze – caused by a night porter disposing ash in a cupboard – swept through the five-star resort.Mr Drummond told the court that the fire spread rapidly through the building as it had access to a “fuel rich environment” due to its construction, including voids, high use of timber and lath and plaster walls.Mr Drummond, a senior member of the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS), said dry 19th century timber gave the flames “free rein to spread rapidly in the fabric”.The inquiry has previously heard how voids within the building allowed the flames to spread rapidly.He said the hotel met building regulation standards at the time but recommended owners of historic buildings are provided with guidance outlining their challenges given the risk for fire to spread more quickly.Mr Drummond said it should be considered making the installation of fire suppression systems – sprinklers – mandatory in future conversions of historic buildings, such as hotels, by means of a expert panel advising Scottish Government.He said sprinkler systems, which were installed during the rebuilding of Cameron House Hotel, help to slow the spread of fire by cooling hot gases and the fuel source.He said: “It would in my view allow it to inhibit the ability