London, Hotel Sprinkler Activation

• Fire & Rescue Service; London Fire Brigade (LFB)
• Date of incident: 11/06/2022
• Time of Call 18:37
• Premise type: Hotel of 7 Storeys, 3 basement levels
• Type of Incident: Fire
• Location of Fire; Basement
• Automatic Fire Suppression System; Sprinklers

LFB have reported the above-mentioned fire involving a fire located in the basement of the premises.

 Incident

• 4 fire pumping appliances, were mobilised from fire stations located in the city of London
• 25 Firefighters were required to deal with the incident
• The premises implemented its emergency action plan (EAFP) resulting in over 700 guests/staff evacuating the premises
• The seat of the fire involved stacked towels in the basement corridor of the spa area
• Cause of the fire is believed to have been accidental, caused by self-heating towels
• 2 Sprinkler heads actuated extinguishing the fire before the arrival of the LFB
• Time of stop 19:35

Benefits of the commercial sprinkler System

• No injuries were reported
• The sprinkler system was interfaced with the fire detection, fire alarm system, the benefit of which allowed.

1. The LFB to be alerted, mobilised.
2. The premises to implement their EAFP allowing their occupants to safely evacuate the building.

• Fire was extinguished, contained to compartment of origin

Business Continuity,

• Minimal disruption sustained to the hotel, allowing the business to resume operations quickly within an hour of the incident
• Potential major fire prevented, reducing costs to business by limiting fire damage

This incident proves once again the installation of a sprinkler system prevents major financial losses ensuring that if a fire occurs it is only a minor inconvenience.

Two fires two different outcomes

• When you compare this incident to a hotel fire in Willenhall, West Midlands reported by the Business Sprinkler alliance where sprinklers were not fitted,
• The outcome.

1. 10 pumping fire appliances requiring 60 firefighters to extinguish the fire
2. Guests had to be relocated to alternative accommodation

• Incident commander Dave Hodgkins said: “The building has been completely gutted out by the fire. “We managed to save a small part of it when the fire was spreading, but the affected areas have been completely destroyed.”

Links

• British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association, Sprinkler Saves Annual Review 2021/2022
• LFB Press Release, City of London
• Business Sprinkler Alliance,Hotel Willenhall, Hoilday Inn fire