- This event has passed.
Erith Ocado Customer Fulfilment Centre Fire Suppressed by Sprinkler Activation
16 July 2021 @ 12:42 am - 2:00 am
On the 16 July 2021, The commercial sprinkler system (FM Global Early Suppression Fast Response) activated at Ocado’s three-storey customer fulfilment centre (CFC) assisting operational crews from the LFB to suppress, extinguish a deep seated warehouse fire. The London Fire Brigade were called at 12:42, mobilising 15 fire appliances dispatched from neighbouring stations including Bexley, Millwall, Lee Green and Greenwich.
The cause of the fire according to the statement released by Ocado appears to have been caused by the collision of three bots on the grid, no one was injured and the damage was limited to 1 per cent of its grid.
This incident clearly demonstrates the effectiveness of properly controlling a fire using sprinklers as part of a holistic approach containing fire spread. Sprinklers not only protect lives, they protect property, businesses and jobs. Sprinklers have been shown to contain and extinguish fires in 99% of cases.
When you compare the above mentioned incident to the article by Tom Roche, secretary of the Business Sprinkler Alliance highlighting two buildings destroyed by fire. the benefits of sprinklers are clear for everyone to see
What are the fire safety building regulations for the requirement of sprinklers in industrial and commercial buildings
Approved Document “B” provides building design guidance to satisfy the requirements of the Fire Safety Building Regulations. The guidance for sprinklers to be installed in industrial and commercial buildings, is that:
- Sprinklers be used in single storey warehouses larger than 20,000m2
- Sprinklers are not required for industrial buildings.