- This event has passed.
London Specialised Housing Bathroom/Toilet Fire
June 16
- Date of incident 16 June 2024.
- Time of call 03:32.
- Location: Barnet.
- Use of building: Specialised housing.
- Location of fire: Bathroom/toilet.
- AFSS Sprinklers
LFB have reported the above-mentioned incident clearly identifying the importance of providing a further layer of protection from fire for our most vulnerable residents of our communities by the installation of Automatic Fire Suppression Systems.
BAFSA strongly supports the government’s consultation proposing to require sprinklers in all new built residential care homes a change that we have long called for. We would also encourage government to support the mandatory fitting of sprinkler systems in specialised housing as well. Those living in specialised housing can be amongst the most vulnerable to hazards such as fires.
It should be remembered the installation of a life safety Automatic Fire Suppression System is to reduce the rate of heat and smoke, allowing more time for the occupants to escape to safety or be rescued, The provision of a sprinkler system does not neglect the need for other fire practical precautions or provisions where the person is at higher-than-average risk from fire, unable to self-evacuate in the event of a fire.
The Incident
- Fire crews were mobilised to a fire within a 3-storey specialised housing scheme comprising of 35 flats.
- On arrival it was identified that the fire was located within a bathroom/toilet of a dwelling activating the residential sprinkler system which had been retrofitted by the housing provider as part of a package of fire safety measures within the premises.
- It is reported that the sprinkler system head which actuated was installed on the same floor as the fire not in the room of origin.
- The fire was extinguished by operational crews using 1 hose reel jet.
- One elderly resident required further medical attention
- The cause of the fire is pending the findings of the fire investigation team.
Emergency Plan
- It was reported that the provision of vital information for the Fire Rescue Service to clarify the location and provision of key elements of the active fire safety systems where not displayed. It should be remembered that a robust emergency plan will allow the provision of vital information for the Fire Rescue Service to be shared by onsite representatives.
- Clarifying the location and provision of key elements of the active fire safety systems where present such as sprinklers and other forms of AFSS. The outcome of which will allow a robust onsite emergency response to be immediately actioned to assist in the control of the sprinkler system during the fire incident and following a fire so it can be reinstated.
Sprinkler coverage, bathrooms, shower rooms and toilets
- Following the review, publication of BS9251:2021 Bathrooms, shower rooms and toilets with a floor area less than 5m2 are now only exempt if they have “linings conforming to BS EN 13501-1:2018 Class A1, A2-s3,d2 and B-s3,d2, and which are not prepared for white goods, such as washing machines, dryers, electric showers or water heaters;”.
- Therefore, bathrooms under 5m2 may now require sprinkler protection based on the updated wording.
Links/sources
If you want to make a difference working in the fire sector, we need your assistance……
To make sprinklers the norm and not the exception – we need the evidence. Encouraging the FRS to promote, collate, report sprinkler activations to Sprinkler Saves UK will help to create a central and comprehensive record of fire incidents where sprinklers played their role in containing/controlling or extinguishing the fire.
If you hear of a save report it using this link
