There are calls for a law change to make sprinkler systems compulsory at storage facilities. The Government agrees it is an issue that needs to be looked into.

But any changes will be too little too late for those who had their most valuable possessions destroyed by fire in Wellington yesterday.

Some of Tania Buck's dearest possessions, including books from her childhood, now lie in a burnt-out and sodden pile. She says seeing the remnants has made it hit home for her.

She thought her things would be safe in locked-up storage and says more should have been done to fire-proof the building, which does not have a sprinkler system.

"I think it should be law that they have sprinkler systems, especially in buildings like this," says Ms Buck.

It took fire crews roughly 24 hours to fully douse the fire that ripped through the Kiwi Self Storage facility in Kilbirnie yesterday.

Today fire investigators and police were at the scene. They still do not know what started the fire or whether it was suspicious, but say it is possible a sprinkler system may have helped contain it.

"What this issue raises and what I want to discuss with the fire service is the feasibility of now requiring all commercial buildings to have sprinklers," says Internal Affairs Minister Peter Dunne. "Certainly when a loss like this occurs you do wonder."

The Australasian Self Storage Association says it is happy for that conversation to take place but warns sprinklers are not necessarily a silver bullet.

"If you have water it can destroy a lot of people's possessions without actually containing the fire," says the Australasian Self Storage Board's Keith Edwards.

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Sprinkler systems urged after Kilbirnie fire

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April 5, 2014 at 12:39 pm by Mr HomeBuilder
Category: Sprinkler System