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Distribution Centre Sprinkler Activation Widness
26 July 2022 @ 1:02 pm
Image courtesy of Hall & Kay Fire Engineering
- Fire Rescue Service; Cheshire Fire & Rescue Service
- Incident; Articulated trailer lorry fire
- When; 26 July 2022
- Time of call; 13:02
- Where, Desoto Road, Widnes
- Occupancy; Distribution Centre
- Type of premises; Warehouse
- Automatic fire suppression System; Fire Sprinklers
Hall & Key Engineering have reported the above-mentioned incident resulting in the activation of the premises commercial sprinkler system
Incident
- 5 x Pump fire with pumping appliances attending from Widnes, Runcorn, Penketh and Warrington
- Chiller trailer section of an articulated lorry caught light, causing superficial fire damage to one of the loading bays with smoke from the fire spreading within the premises.
- The emergency plan was implemented, with no injuries reported
- Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus extinguished the fire using main jets/hose reels
- To prevent the fire spreading within the premises operational crews repositioned the trailer away from the façade of the warehouse
- High pressure fan assisted in clearing the smoke from the incident.
Sprinkler System
- The premises loading bays were protected by a sprinkler system which successfully activated
- 3x Sprinkler heads actuated containing/controlling the fire preventing the fire from spreading within to the premises
Benefits of the premises sprinkler system
- Contained/controlled the fire from spreading to the façade of the premises, preventing internal fire spread within the building
- Rapidly reducing the rate of production of heat and smoke allowing the fire service crucial time to implement their operational tactical plan
- Allowing firefighters in carrying out search and rescue operations by limiting fire development, which significantly reduces the risks to firefighters.
- Integrity of the means of escape, maintained
Business Continuity
- This incident clearly demonstrates the importance of protecting warehouse loading bays with commercial sprinkler systems.
- Preventing a minor small fire from accelerating into a major fire with only minor disruption to the business
- Firefighters were able to leave the scene around 16:30
Conclusion
- These incidents are becoming more frequent involving tractor units catching light
- The potential high fire loading of these units cannot be discounted
- The importance of risk assessing at the design stage for fire sprinkler coverage in these locations cannot be underestimated
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