Farnborough Waste Recycling Centre Drencher Activation

image credit Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service

• Fire Rescue Service; Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service
• Incident; Fire
• When; 9 March 2023
• Time of call; 00:32
• Where, Farnborough
• Occupancy; Waste Recycling Centre
• Automatic fire suppression System; Drencher Sprinkler System

Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service have reported the following fire at a waste management and recycling centre

Incident

• On arrival crews identified that approximately 20 tonnes of household waste was alight
• Contained within a single-story warehouse 32m x 37m
• The fire had been contained/controlled by the actuation of the premises drencher Sprinkler System
• Operational crews were committed wearing breathing apparatus crews using hose reels, jets to extinguish the fire.
• The onsite mechanical digger which was used to turn over the burning waste.
• It is reported that crews left the incident 03:00

Dangers, implications of waste fires

Often difficult to extinguish, requiring multiple fire rescue services resources for long periods of time. The impact of these fires may be short term or long-term including.

• Public health impacts on responders and communities
• The public being evacuated or sheltering in place.
• Environmental impacts
• Pollution of surface and groundwater
• Road closures
• High demand on fire and rescue services and other agency resources
• Large-scale financial losses and disruption

Automatic Fire Suppression Systems (AFSS)

• The benefits of suppression containing/controlling these fires should not be under-estimated.
• Reducing the volume of fire water run-off which in the quantities likely from FRS innervation is an environmental threat which the Environment agency takes seriously sprinkler waste fires

 Business Continuity

• The benefits of suppression were clearly demonstrated following a similar incident involving a Biffa Waste Plant fire.
• Promoted in a video released by Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service/Biffa supporting the benefits of suppression saving the entire facility.

Further guidance

• BAFSA, Sprinkler Saves Annual Review
• BAFSA Information File No 25 Fire Suppression Systems for the waste management industry

Sources

• Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service
• Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service/Biffa Promotion Video