LFB Sprinkler Activations May 2024

London Fire Brigade (LFB) have reported the following incidents for the period 1 May- 29 May 2024 where fire sprinklers were reported as present and having an impact.

• Providing further evidence on the vital role sprinklers play by highlighting real, tangible examples of where they have actuated.
• Raising  awareness of the importance of collating sprinkler saves from across the United Kingdom so societal awareness of the true value of sprinklers can be increased.
• A sprinkler save is categorised as where one or more sprinkler heads have activated and contained, controlled or in some cases, extinguished a building fire.
• The story around the incident provides powerful evidence of the ability of sprinklers to protect life, firefighters, and property from fire.

Key Facts

• 6 incidents were reported within premises, all sprinkler systems
• 5 of the incidents involved Purpose built flats/maisonettes of which 2 involved refuse stores
• 4 of these incidents resulted in the activation of the premises sprinkler system
• The fire was either extinguished or controlled/contained to the room of origin by the activation of 1-2 sprinkler heads
• 2 incidents, the sprinkler system did not activate, system coverage was not provided in the area where the fire occurred or was recorded as not known

These incidents provided 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. Automatic Fire Suppression Systems 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

Incidents Reported

1. Hotel Fire-Paddington

• Date of incident; 3 May 2024
• Time of call; 13;20
• Time of Stop; 15:50
• Use of building; Hotel
• Incident; Fire
• Location of Fire; Laundry room
• Ignition source; Natural occurrence, self-heating
• Automatic Fire Suppression System; Sprinklers

A fire within a hotel fourth floor laundry room was successfully extinguished contained to the room of origin by the activation of 1 sprinkler head with firefighters from Paddington, Euston, North Kensington and surrounding fire stations attending the scene using smoke blockers in the building to limit the spread of smoke within the premises. The premises emergency action plan was successfully implemented resulting in the evacuation of 170 guests/staff.

The fire is believed to have been accidental caused by freshly laundered towels self-heating and catching fire. This is the third reported successful tangible sprinkler save where the fire has been extinguished, contained/controlled by the activation of the premises sprinkler system where self-heating has been reported.

2. Purpose built block of flats kitchen Fire-Southwark

• Date of incident; 10 May 2024
• Time of call; 19:53
• Use of building; Purpose Built Flats/Maisonettes – 10 or more storeys
• Incident; Fire
• Location of Fire; Dwelling, Kitchen
• Automatic Fire Suppression System; Sprinklers

A fire within a kitchen involving a cooker ring/hot plate/deep fat fryer was controlled /contained to the room of origin by the activation of 2 sprinkler heads, the fire was extinguished by operational crews using a main branch/jet. The occupants self-evacuated the premises prior to the arrival of the LFB.

3. Purpose built block of flats refuse fire-Tower Hamlets

• Date of incident; 19 May 2024
• Time of call; 18:11
• Use of building; Purpose Built Flats/Maisonettes – 4 to 9 storeys
• Incident; Fire
• Location of Fire; Refuse store
• Automatic Fire Suppression System; Sprinklers

A fire within a ground floor refuse store was successfully extinguished by the activation of one sprinkler head containing the fire to the room of origin, no further firefighting was required following the arrival of operational crews.

4. Purpose built block of flats refuse fire-Westminster

• Date of incident; 24 May 2024
• Time of call; 13:15
• Use of building; Purpose Built Flats/Maisonettes – 10 or more storeys
• Incident; Fire
• Location of Fire; Refuse store
• Automatic Fire Suppression System; Sprinklers

A fire within a lower ground floor refuse store was successfully extinguished by the activation of one sprinkler head containing the fire to the room of origin, no further firefighting was required following the arrival of operational crews.

The above-mentioned reported refuse fires are in line with previous findings from The British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association that highlight that refuse stores are a common area of sprinkler operation in areas outside of flats. This is unsurprising as national fire statistics in England demonstrate that for blocks flats the highest number of incidents, outside of fires in the residential areas themselves, are recorded in refuse store areas.

• BAFSA published a series of reports analysing Incident Recording System data on fires in sprinklered buildings from 2018-2021.
• One such report focused on where sprinklers were reported and having an impact for refuse store/bin store fires
• Identifying that the highest number of incidents were located outside the flat with 141 incidents/activations
• From the 141 sprinkler activations outside the flats, refuse fires accounted for the highest number of incidents with 123.
• Refuse store fires sprinklers extinguished 53 (43%) incidents with a further 63 (51%) incidents being contained or controlled.
• Further interrogation of the data would have to be completed to identify why 7 incidents were not contained/controlled

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.

Link

• Sprinkler Saves Review 2023/24
• Sprinkler Saves Spring Update No 4
• BAFSA Data reports
• BAFSA Fire Sprinklers Greater London Review 2018-2021
• LFB Sprinkler Position Statement

If you hear of a save report it, it makes a difference.