London studio flat sprinkler save

   Image credit Nationwide sprinklers

Summary

This is the ¹second reported activation of the sprinkler system within 19 months at a former six-storey office block converted to provide 62 one roomed studio flats. In both Instances the fire was contained, controlled or extinguished by the sprinkler system.

A sprinkler activation is categorised as an event where one or more sprinkler heads have operated to contain, control, or extinguish a building fire. These incidents provides evidence of the effectiveness of sprinklers as part of a comprehensive fire safety strategy.

In this particular incident, the presence of a residential sprinkler system in a tall residential building. Resulted in the following outcomes.

• The fire’s growth was limited and extinguished in the room of origin
• Preventing a potential major protracted incident that could strain the operational resilience of the LFB resources and challenge maintaining routine services.

The provision of a sprinkler system does not eliminate the need for other fire safety measures, especially for individuals at higher-than-average risk from fire and those unable to self-evacuate in the event of a fire.

The Incident

On 11 July 2025, a fire involving a charging laptop inside a studio flat was extinguished after one sprinkler head was activated. Damage was confined to the item first ignited and light smoke damage occurred within the dwelling. No injuries were reported.

Sprinkler System

This incident demonstrates that a correctly designed, installed, and maintained residential sprinkler system, in line with applicable codes and standards, can reduce the rate of heat and smoke production, providing more time for occupants to leave safely or be assisted.

• BS93251:14, Category 2 system
• Water supply Tank/Pump, 30-minute duration
• Sprinkler isolation valves for each floor

Conclusion

The outcome of this incident could have been so much different if sprinklers had not been fitted. Providing further evidence on the benefits of sprinklers supporting calls from the ²National Fire Chiefs Council and the fire sector urging the government to introduce further regulations for the installation of sprinklers in the built environment.

We acknowledge the recent government proposals requiring sprinklers to be installed

• In all new care homes.
• Reducing the threshold height for high rise residential sprinklers to 11m from 30m

But we are concerned there is still no requirement to install sprinklers in all

• Homes where vulnerable people live.
• Buildings housing vulnerable residents such sheltered accommodation, hostels

Sources/further reading. 

• ¹Previous incident December 2023, fire involving combustibles inside a studio flat was contained, controlled by the activation of 1 sprinkler head in the room of origin before the arrival of LFB, limiting spread to the room of origin.
• Sprinkler Saves Review 2024/25
• Sprinkler Saves Spring Update No 8
• ^²NFCC Sprinkler Position Statement

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 FRS and those in the sprinkler community to promote, collate, report sprinkler activations to Sprinkler Saves UK which 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.