Benefits of sprinklers demonstrated following Edinburgh Recycling Fire

Major, expensive fires can often be avoided by using various fire prevention strategies. Automatic Water Suppression Systems (AWSS) are one effective approach, as they can help contain, control, or sometimes even extinguish a building fire before the arrival of the Fire Rescue Service. (FRS)

This incident review illustrates that the integration of AWSS within a comprehensive fire safety strategy provides sustained protection for businesses by mitigating the impact of large-scale fires. Enhancing the resilience of buildings and business operations against fire damage is a critical component of effective risk management.

The Scottish Fire & Rescue Service (SFRS) report on an internal warehouse fire identifying that the implementation of the premises AWSS successfully contained, controlled an internal fire. This approach minimizes financial losses and curtails the wider consequences associated with uncontrolled fires, resulting in reduced costs for businesses and the broader economy

The Incident

• On the 7 April 2026 at 08:15 hours, 2 pumping appliances were mobilised to reports of a fire involving a recycling facility.
• The incident commander established that the fire was within a warehouse 200m x 100m involving dry recycling material.
• The building sprinkler system activated containing, controlling the fire prior to the arrival of SFRS.
• The fire was extinguished by firefighters using 1 jet.
• Stop message was sent at 08:35
• Enquires are ongoing to establish the cause of the fire

Area of focus

Fires in waste sites, recycling centres are becoming more and more common with major incidents reported across the United Kingdom on a daily basis, ¹The National Fire Chiefs Council have reported that UK FRS attend around 300 significant fires in waste sites each year which are often difficult to extinguish requiring multiple FRS resources for significant periods of time which can have a serious impact on the local community in the short or long term, including:

1. The Environmental Impact
2. Public health impacts on responders and communities
3. Large scale financial loses and disruption.
4. Road closures
5. High demand on FRS and other agency resources

FRS are fully aware of the environmental impacts of fire publishing sustainability, environmental reports with further guidance published by the government on environmental protection, providing further guidance for FRS on preventing and dealing with incidents with the potential to pollute.

Active fire protection systems, specifically AWSS should be seen as part of a holistic approach minimising fire damage as part of a greener approach from the fire sector, which is currently overlooked. ²The Waste Industry Safety and Health Forum (WISH) published “Reducing Fire Risk at Waste Management Sites” good practice guidance on the latest research and information available to achieve good fire risk management which includes an appendix focusing on suppression/extinguishing/fighting systems focusing on

• Importance of seeking competent advice for the installation of a fire suppression system
• The system should be proportionate to the nature and scale of waste management activities completed and associated risks.
• Choosing the appropriate fire suppression system which may include.
• 1. Sprinklers
  2. Manual open deluge system
  3. Deluge/water spray systems
  4. Mobile foam trolley
  5. Water monitors/cannons/curtains

• The design, installation and maintenance of the proposed system is covered by an appropriate UKAS-accredited third-party certification scheme.
• Importance of liaising with insurers who may have specific requirements for fire suppression systems.

Sources/further reading

• Sprinkler Saves Review 2024/2025
• Sprinkler Saves Spring update 2026
• National Fire Sprinkler Network newsletter
• ¹Fire in waste sites National Operational Guidance Programme
• ²Wish, reducing fire risk at waste management sites

Effective advocacy and policy lobbying require the collection of robust supporting evidence. If you have knowledge of a sprinkler incident that may contribute to this initiative, please provide the pertinent details using the sprinkler activation reporting form available at www.sprinklersaves.co.uk