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Greenock Supported Residential Accomodation Sprinkler Activation
January 26
- Date of incident; 26 January 2024
- Tine of call;18:45
- Location; Greenock
- Use of building; Supported Residential Accommodation
- Location of fire; Flat
- Automatic Fire Suppression System; Sprinklers
- Fire Rescue Service; Scottish Fire & Rescue Service (SFRS)
SFRS have reported the above-mentioned incident, identifying the benefits of installing fire sprinkler systems within supported residential accommodation providing housing for some of the most vulnerable residents of our communities.
The Incident
- Four fire appliances were mobilised to a fire within a first floor flat involving a white goods appliance, fridge freezer.
- On arrival the Officer in Charge established that 2 concealed sprinkler heads activated within the flat extinguishing the fire, no further firefighting was required from operational crews.
- No injuries were reported with the premises emergency plan implemented resulting in the full evacuation of the premises with all staff, residents accounted for.
- The cause of the fire involved a tea towel which caught light due to the fridge freezer overheating.
Emergency Plan
- It was reported following the incident that parts of the premises were affected by water having a impact on businesses continuity.
- it should be remembered that a robust emergency plan will allow the provision, availability of emergency response information for the FRS, onsite representatives to interact with the premises active fire safety systems where present such as sprinklers and other forms of Automatic Fire Suppression Systems.
- The outcome of which will allow a robust onsite emergency response to be immediately actioned to assist in the management of water from the activation of the sprinkler system following a fire or even following the unlikely likelihood of un-intentional release of water.
- Of course, water will be in the vicinity of the seat of the fire at the conclusion of the incident the extinguishing medium for wet pipe sprinklers as we know is water.
- Following the completion of a dynamic risk assessment the sprinkler water supply was isolated.
Benefits of Sprinklers for life-safety
- Reduces 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.
- Conditions for flashover diminished in room of origin.
- Additional time allowing the OIC to complete a dynamic risk assessment to implement an operational tactical plan.
- Fire contained to room of origin preventing the fire compromising the means of escape.
- Risk to firefighters, residents reduced.
This incident once again identifies the benefits of sprinklers playing a significant role, as part of an appropriate package of fire safety measures reducing the impact of fire on people, property, and the environment. It should be remembered the fire was extinguished before the arrival of SFRS.
Links/sources
If you want to make a difference working in the fire sector, we need your assistance……
- To make sprinklers the norm and not the exception – we need the evidence.
- Encouraging the fire rescue service to promote, collate, report sprinkler activations to Sprinkler Saves UK will help to create a central and comprehensive record of fire incidents where sprinklers played their role in containing/controlling or extinguishing the fire.
- If you hear of a save report it using this link
