Dozens of fire deaths in Wales every year may be avoided with a new law that would see sprinkler systems fitted in all new buildings as standard.

Assembly Members want every home and public building put up from 2010 onwards to be fitted with the fire fighting equipment.

"We have asked Westminster to give us the authority to enact this law and are very hopeful that it will be granted," says Preseli Pembrokeshire AM Paul Davies.

"I'm told that the added cost to a new build would be about the same as that of a fitted carpet, which when you consider that it could save your life is very little.

"Firemen told me that it is already the law in Vancouver where they used to have 20 fire deaths a year. Once the law came in, this dropped to none.

"Nearly everyone knows about the importance of having smoke detectors fitted and that you can have a free home fire safety check by the fire brigade," added Mr Davies.

"I believe that the new sprinkler law will have as great an impact on safety as smoke detectors."