London Fire Brigade Reported Sprinkler Activations December 2023

• image credit DPJ Sprinklers Ltd , Kitchen fire London October 2023.
• Demonstrating the power of sprinklers for Kitchen fires.

The continued support, commitment of The London Fire Brigade, (LFB) reporting real, tangible examples of where Automatic Fire Suppressions (AFSS) have actuated within the capital and in doing so saved life and protected property should not be underestimated.

The story around the incident provides powerful evidence of the ability of sprinklers to protect life, firefighters, and property from fire.They also provide environmental benefits, reducing fire loss, damage to the environment, reducing carbon emissions and reducing the use of water from the resulting firefighting operations preventing expensive restoration of buildings, replacing expensive equipment, plant machinery.

Promoting the benefits of sprinklers, sprinkler activations will encourage housing providers, stakeholders, partners, and others to install AFSS to protect the most vulnerable residents, property from fire within Greater London throughout the United Kingdom.

A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “Automatic Fire Suppression Systems, like sprinklers, alongside other fire safety measures can greatly reduce the impact of fires on people, property, homes and communities. “Sprinklers are not a luxury – they save lives and also reduce risk to the firefighters who have to tackle the fires.” 

For the month of December 2023, 11 primary fires were reported to Sprinkler Saves UK where sprinklers were reported as present/activated and having an impact covering a range of buildings and occupancies which should be of no surprise as the capital of the United Kingdom. London is also the largest city with a population of just over 9 million and is projected to reach 10 million by 2035. The risk from fire in the capital is diverse, ranging from dwellings, large industrial premises, complex retail shopping centres, major transport hubs, hotels, hostels.

Key Results

Type of AFSS present, operated.

1. 10 sprinkler incidents
2. 1 water mist activation

Dwellings accounted for 6 activations.

1. 1x house.
2. 1x Converted flat/maisonette-3 or more storeys.
3. 4x Purpose built block of flats/maisonettes-10 or more storeys.

Other buildings accounted for 5 activations.

1. 1x Gym
2. 1x supermarket
3. 1x Single shop
4. 2x Self-contained sheltered housing

Of which

• 6 fires were contained/controlled by the activation of the AFSS.
• 5 fires were extinguished by the activation of the AFSS.

¹Providing further evidence, Supporting the most recent UK research was commissioned by The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC), National Fire Sprinkler Network (NFSN) and supported by BAFSA in the publication, “Efficiency and Effectiveness of Sprinkler Systems in the United Kingdom: An Analysis from Fire Service Data”. Across all premises types:
Sprinklers are 99% efficient in extinguishing or controlling a fire.
Sprinklers are 94% efficient in their ability to operate.

It cannot be stressed how important active systems are, they should not be viewed as an alternative to passive fire protection systems. Providing effective fire protection requires both passive and active elements working in unison and complementing the roles of one another.AFSS play a significant role, as part of an appropriate package of fire safety measures reducing the impact of fire on people, property, and the environment

December Case Studies

1. Gym Fire

• Date of incident; 2 December 2023.
• Tine of call; 04:18.
• Location; Hackney
• Use of building; Mixed use commercial/residential,
• Number of floors Lower ground floor, ground plus 8.
• Location of fire; Cloakroom
• Automatic Fire Suppression System; Sprinklers.

A fire within the premises cloakroom was extinguished by the activation of 1 sprinkler head located in the room of origin, limiting fire spread to the item 1^st ignited. No further firefighting was required by operational crews on arrival. Enquires are ongoing regarding the cause of the fire, the benefits of sprinklers clearly demonstrated for business continuity, sprinklers not only protect lives, but they also protect property, businesses, and jobs.

2. House Fire

• Date of incident; 3 December 2023.
• Tine of call; 16:26.
• Location; Lewisham.
• Use of building; Private dwelling,
• Number of floors; Lower ground floor, ground plus 2
• Location of fire; Living room
• Automatic Fire Suppression System; Sprinklers.

Four appliances were mobilised from Lewisham, Lee Green, Greenwich, and Deptford fire stations to a fire within a new purpose-built terraced house involving candles which was contained, controlled by the activation of 1 fire sprinkler. Limiting fire spread to the lower ground floor, the fire extinguished by operational crews on arrival using 1 hose reel jet. One man left the building before the arrival of LFB and was treated on scene by the London Ambulance Service. The cause of the is believed to have been accidental and caused by a candle.

3. Self-Contained Sheltered Housing Fire

• Date of incident; 4 December 2023.
• Tine of call; 17:13.
• Location; Southwark.
• Use of building; Sheltered Housing.
• Number of floors; Lower ground floor, ground plus 2
• Location of fire; Kitchen.
• Automatic Fire Suppression System; Sprinklers.

The decision taken by Southwark Council in 2024 to install sprinklers to its sheltered housing schemes and temporary accommodation hostels as part of a £32 million plans to improve fire safety clearly demonstrated following a kitchen fire within one of their schemes. Fire crews were mobilised to a kitchen fire involving a cooker which was successfully contained/controlled by the activation of 1 sprinkler limiting the fire to the floor of origin. The fire was extinguished by operational crews using 1 hose reel jet.

It should be remembered the installation of a life safety AFSS 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.

4. Mixed-use building Sauna Fire

• Date of incident; 4 December 2023.
• Tine of call; 18:28.
• Time of stop; 19:37.
• Location; Cleveland Street, Fitzrovia.
• Use of building; Residential/commercial Mixed-use building,
• Number of floors; 3 plus 2x basement levels.
• Location of fire; Sauna room, sub-basement level.
• Automatic Fire Suppression System; Sprinklers.

Four pump fire requiring 25 firefighters from Euston, soho and Paddington fire stations. On arrival operational crews established that there was a fire within the second sub level basement sauna room which had been contained, controlled by the activation of three sprinkler heads which was extinguished by crews using firefighting media including a main branch. 50% of the sauna was damaged by fire, the fire is believed to have been accidental and caused by items left on a sauna. There were no reports of any injuries, the incident was closed within 70 minutes, highlighting the benefits of sprinklers for business continuity.

• This incident clearly identifies the benefits of sprinklers involving basement fires for operational firefighters which can be a high-risk activity, physically demanding caused by extreme temperatures.
• Sprinkler activation reduces heat transfer, toxic gases, smoke, and flashover allowing tenable conditions within the room of origin, increasing escape time and keeps the fire contained, controlled or in some cases extinguished before the arrival of the Fire Rescue Service.

5. Supermarket Fire

• Date of incident; 6 December 2023.
• Tine of call; 09:34.
• Location; Hackney.
• Use of building; Supermarket.
• Number of floors; Ground plus 1.
• Location of fire; Kitchen.
• Automatic Fire Suppression System; Sprinklers.

It is reported that the premises water mist system within the room of origin operated following a fire involving a cooker limiting the fire to the item 1^st ignited. Further interrogation of the data is required to identify the type of water mist system installed, due to the type of incident reported, it would be expected that a bespoke system was installed to protect the cooking range.

6. Flat Fire

• Date of incident; 13 December 2023.
• Tine of call; 02:37.
• Time of stop: 04:54
• Location; Redbridge
• Use of building; Converted Flat/Maisonettes – 3 or more storeys.
• Number of floors; Ground plus 8.
• Location of fire; Bedsitting room
• Automatic Fire Suppression System; Sprinklers.

 Fire crews were called to a fire on the 4^th floor of a former office block converted into 60 studio flats involving a bedsitting room which was contained/controlled by the activation of 1 sprinkler head limiting the fire to the room of origin. It is reported that 5 adults were treated on scene by the London Ambulance Service and two taken to hospital. Further enquires are ongoing regarding the cause of the fire.

Benefits of installing a Residential Sprinkler System

1. Internal fire spread within the flat contained/controlled, preventing further fire spread to the common ways.
2. Rapidly reducing the rate of production of heat and smoke
3. Integrity of the means of escape, maintained.
4. Flash over prevented.
5. Allowing firefighters in carrying out search and rescue operations by limiting fire development, which significantly reduces the risks to firefighters.

7. Shop Fire

• Date of incident; 15 December 2023.
• Tine of call; 06:32.
• Location; Camden
• Use of building; Commercial
• Number of floors; Basement, Ground plus 3
• Location of fire; Other
• Automatic Fire Suppression System; Sprinklers.

 The benefits of installing sprinklers for commercial premises demonstrated following this incident involving a ground floor shop. One fire sprinkler activated in the room of origin containing the fire to the room of origin. The fire was extinguished by operational crews using a hose reel jet. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation. Business continuity, the installation of a sprinkler system provides long term protection businesses preventing catastrophic losses and ensuring safety of lives.

8. Refuse Store Fire

• Date of incident; 16 December 2023.
• Tine of call; 23:38.
• Time of stop: 01:24
• Location; Tower Hamlets
• Use of building; Purpose Built Flats/Maisonettes – 10 or more storeys.
• Number of floors; Basement, ground plus 57
• Location of fire; Refuse Store/Bin Room
• Automatic Fire Suppression System; Sprinklers.

Fire crews were mobilised to a fire involving a high-rise residential block of flats, on arrival it was established that a small fire within a paladin bin within the basement was contained/controlled by the activation of one sprinkler head. operational crews extinguished the fire using extinguishing media, no injuries were reported.

Danger of Refuse Chute/bin store fires

These types of fires can have a dramatic effect on the safety of the residents, specifically where refuse chutes and access hatches can sometimes be found directly opening onto protected corridors, lobbies, and stairs, so providing the potential for the spread of fire and smoke to the common escape routes. It is therefore best practice in these situations.

1. Automatic fire-resisting shutter should be fitted at the base of the refuse chute to restrict the spread of fire and smoke from a fire in the bin room. The shutter should, as a minimum, be operated on a fixed temperature fusible link.
2. Bespoke sprinkler system, further protection can be provided by the installation of a sprinkler system located over the bins, with either frangible bulb or fusible link sprinkler heads, or open sprinkler heads with water discharge controlled by smoke detectors.

9. Sheltered Housing Lithium battery fire.

• Date of incident; 17 December 2023.
• Tine of call; 21:06.
• Time of stop: 21:57
• Location; Forest Hill
• Use of building; Self-contained Sheltered Housing
• Number of floors; Basement, ground plus 8
• Location of fire; Bedsitting room
• Automatic Fire Suppression System; Sprinklers.

Four fire appliances from Forest Hill, Lewisham, Peckham and surrounding stations were mobilised to a fire within a second floor two roomed flat involving a lithium battery which was contained to the room of origin following the activation of 1 sprinkler head which extinguished the fire, no injuries were reported. This is the second incident reported to sprinkler saves involving lithium batteries following the high-profile tall building sprinkler save reported by West Midlands Fire Rescue Service where a family were unable to self-evacuate from their flat following a fire involving an electric bike. It was established that the electric bike had been left on charge in the hallway of their flat which caught light compromising their means of escape. On arrival operational crews identified that the fire had been extinguished by the activation of the residential sprinkler system.

It should be noted, Sprinkler protection of lithium-ion batteries is outside the scope of current standard sprinkler design standards e.g., EN, NFPA/FM, specialist standards are being developed for example NPFA 855.

A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “Lithium batteries are susceptible to failure if incorrect chargers are used, so it’s important to always use the correct charger for the product and buy an official one from a reputable seller.

“You should unplug your charger when you have finished using it and we would advise not to leave it unattended or charging while people are asleep.

“Batteries can present a fire risk if they’re over-charged, short circuited, submerged in water or damaged, so it’s really important to protect them against being damaged too.

“Try to ensure they are not getting knocked around while in use or while being carried as this can increase the chance of damage to cells.”

10. Kitchen Fire

• Date of incident; 29 December 2023.
• Tine of call; 17:52.
• Location; Barnet.
• Use of building; Purpose Built Flats/Maisonettes – 10 or more storeys.
• Number of floors; Ground plus 14.
• Location of fire; Kitchen.
• Automatic Fire Suppression System; Sprinklers.

11. Kitchen Fire

• Date of incident; 31 December 2023.
• Tine of call; 14:53.
• Location; Lambeth.
• Use of building; Purpose Built Flats/Maisonettes – 10 or more storeys.
• Number of floors; Ground plus 35
• Location of fire; Kitchen.
• Automatic Fire Suppression System; Sprinklers.

 Operational crews were called to the above-mentioned kitchen fires which were both successfully extinguished by the actuation of 1 sprinkler head, requiring no further firefighting action by operational crews on arrival.

Links

               

• Sprinkler Saves Review 2022/2023.
• Winter Sprinkler Saves Update.
• Fire Sprinklers Greater London Review 2018-2021
• LFB Press Release, Flat Fire Forest Hill
• LFB Press Release Flat Fire-Isle of Dogs
• Sprinkler Saves, Tall Building Lithium-Ion Battery Fire

¹Efficiency and Effectiveness of Sprinkler Systems in the United Kingdom: An Analysis for Fire Service Data

About Sprinkler Saves

Sprinkler Saves works closely with our FRS representatives and the sprinkler industry to collate sprinkler saves, promoting their ability to control a contain and control fire and ultimately saves lives and protect property.

What is a sprinkler save? 

A sprinkler save is where one or more sprinkler heads activate to control/extinguish a building fire – providing powerful evidence as to the ability of sprinklers to reduce the effects of fire. They also provide environmental benefits, reducing fire loss, damage to the environment, reducing carbon emissions and reducing the use of water from the resulting firefighting operations preventing expensive restoration of buildings, replacing expensive equipment and plant.

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