The new hospital is being built to replace those in Falkirk and Stirling

Her comments came after the Fire Brigade Union said a decision not to fit them at the new Larbert Hospital could put lives at risk.

Fiona Mackenzie said the issue of sprinklers would be considered at a fire safety review meeting.

The authority had stated it would use alternative means of fire prevention.

Ms Mackenzie said sprinklers were not generally fitted to acute hospitals because of the problems they could cause to patients and equipment.

'Building control'

Instead NHS Forth Valley said a 'compartmentation' approach, where fire-resistant walls and doors are used to prevent the spread of fire, was a more appropriate option for the new hospital.

Despite the health authority's reservations about fitting a sprinkler system, a spokesman for Central Scotland Fire and Rescue Service said it would recommend installing them in all new-build non-domestic properties.

In a statement, Ms Mackenzie said: "A fire engineering strategy for the hospital is being developed by Forth Health in conjunction with Falkirk Council building control department and Central Fire Brigade.

"The strategy is being developed on the basis of risk assessments being carried out and control measures being specified to address those risks.

"The strategy is currently being reviewed through a series of meetings with building control and the fire brigade during which the approach to sprinkler installations is being discussed and agreed."