Derby Extra Care Housing Bedroom Sprinkler Activation

Image credit DFRS

The image of the incident speaks a thousand words capturing the activation of the sprinkler head with fire damage contained to the bed mattress, head board with light smoke damage to the walls and ceiling.

• Date of incident; 24 November 2023
• Time of call 09:43
• Time of stop 11:48
• Location; Derbyshire
• Use of building; Supported living, extra care housing
• Number of floors; three
• Location of fire; Bedroom
• Automatic Fire Suppression System; Sprinklers
• Fire Rescue Service; Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service (DFRS)

DFRS have reported the above-mentioned incident highlighting the benefits of residential sprinklers for premises housing some of our most vulnerable residents of our communities. The premises provides care, support in a large modern purpose-designed three-storey building containing 98 one and two bedroom apartments for people usually over the age of 55.

The Incident

• Operational crews were mobilised from Derbyshire Kingsway, Nottingham Road fire stations
• On arrival crews identified a bedroom fire within a flat on the ground floor of the premises involving bedding materials which had caught light.
• It was established that the fire had been controlled, contained by the activation of one sprinkler head before the arrival of operational crews.
• The fire was extinguished by breathing apparatus crews using 1 hose reel jet
• The resident evacuated the premises with no injuries reported
• Business continuity, comprehensive information was available on site for operational crews to interact with the sprinkler system, isolate the system once it was established the fire had been extinguished.
• The fire was contained to the room of origin with no injuries reported
• The cause of the fire is currently under investigation by DFRS

It should be remembered the installation of a life safety Automatic Fire Suppresion System is to reduce the rate of heat and smoke, allowing more time for the occupants to escape to safety or be rescued, The provision of a sprinkler system does not neglect the need for other fire practical precautions or provisions where the person is at higher-than-average risk from fire, unable to self-evacuate in the event of a fire.

Links

• Sprinkler Saves Review 2022/2023
• Sprinkler Saves Update No 2