It found only a third of aged care homes are fitted with sprinkler systems.

The report was commissioned following the Principal Aged Care fire, on Hambledon Road, last November that killed 11 people.

It was one of the 300 nursing homes — out of the state’s 900 — that do not not have sprinkler systems, the ABC reported.

NSW Planning Minister Brad Hazzard said last year’s fire was a wake-up call to the community.

He refused to speculate whether sprinkler systems would become mandatory but said evidence presented by fire authorities showed sprinklers were crucial.

‘‘That research indicates that the sort of temperatures, the super heating that occurred in the Quakers Hill fire probably wouldn't have occurred if there had have been sprinklers available,’’ Mr Hazzard told ABC Radio on Thursday.

Mr Hazzard said some nursing homes were forced to close when sprinkler systems became mandatory in Queensland.

‘‘We want that balance so we are not getting residents effectively put out of their accommodation,’’ he said.

Installing sprinklers would cost thousands of dollars per bed, adding up to at least $140 million across the state.

‘‘The problem is some of the sectors are delivered by the profit groups, some are delivered by government and some are delivered by the not-for-profit sector,’’ Mr Hazzard said.

With ABC