Newport High-Rise Refuse Store Sprinkler Activation

• Fire Rescue Service; South Wales Fire and Rescue Service (SWFRS)
• Date of incident; 09 April 2022
• Time of call; 22:38
• Location; St Julian’s, Newport
• Purpose group; Purpose built Flats, 10 or more storeys
• Incident; Fire
• Location of Incident; Refuse Store
• Automatic Fire Suppression System (AFSS); Sprinkler System

The Incident

SWFRS have reported the above-mentioned incident involving the activation of the residential sprinkler system which successfully raised the alarm, containing the fire to room of origin.

This is the third reported rubbish fire for this building in the space of 6 months resulting in the residential sprinkler system operating.

Previous incidents.

The above incidents clearly reinforce the benefits of sprinklers, Newport city homes should be applauded for their position on sprinklers leading from the front retrofitting sprinklers in each of their 3-purpose built block of flats.

Did you know that fire data on fire incidents in Great Britain where sprinklers were reported for the period of 2018/19 to 2020/2021, identified, refuse stores account for the highest number of incidents where sprinklers are recorded as being present in fire incidents in purpose-built blocks of flats with 145 incidents resulting in 123 activations.

Further details can be found in the second in a series of BAFSA Incident Data Reports focusing on the location of the fire where sprinklers were reported as being present, activating in purpose-built block of flats

Dangers of bin store fires

The outcome of a communal bin store fire 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.

Best practice

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, coverage located over the refuse bins. The provision of sprinklers should always be considered where access hatches open into protected stairways or lobbies containing more than two flat entrance doors

 Further links

• Sprinkler Saves UK, Sprinkler Save 20/04/22, Newport Refuse sprinkler activation
• British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association; Incident Data Reports
• South Wales Fire and Rescue Service press release sprinkler awareness week