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Newport South Wales Chip Pan Sprinkler Save May 2024

9 June 2024 @ 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

                 

Image taken from BAFSA video chip pan demonstration          Credit RSP Sprinklers

Our thanks to RSP sprinkler systems for reporting this incident demonstrating the benefits of residential sprinklers for life safety playing a significant role, as part of an appropriate package of fire safety measures reducing the impact of fire on people, firefighters, property and the environment.

Debunking the myth, residential sprinklers as an extinguishing media should not be used on chip pan fires.

It is reported that South Wales Fire Rescue Service were mobilised to a fire within a residential block of flats, on arrival it was identified that a kitchen fire involving a chip pan within a flat had been successfully extinguished, contained to the room of origin by the activation of one sidewall sprinkler head. The resident required minor medical attention stating the fire was extinguished by the sprinkler system within 2 minutes

Key facts

  • The fire was extinguished, controlled within the compartment of origin
  • The activation of the sprinkler system reduced the heat output from the fire by reducing its growth, allowing more time for the occupants to escape to safety or be rescued.
  • No further firefighting was required by South Wales Fire Rescue Service
  • The sprinkler system provided vital protection for the residents dwelling, belongings, personal processions.

Observations/comments

  1. 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 clearly demonstrated following the successful conclusion to this incident.
  1. Reinstatement of the system, where buildings and equipment are provided with active fire protection measures such as a sprinkler system protecting life and in some cases property protection. It is essential that the fire protection measures in a building can function effectively in the event of a fire. It is important that arrangements are in place to ensure the responsible person, building manager for the premises is aware that following the activation of an active system such as a sprinkler system provisions are in place allowing for the immediate reinstatement of the sprinkler system following a fire.

It is noted following the successful conclusion of this incident: –

  • From receiving a call via the sprinkler company’s 24-hour emergency line the call out engineer was on site within 30 minutes.
  • The system was reinstated within 1 hour 40 minutes.

In England cooking fires are the most common type of accidental fire reported for the period 2013/2014 to 2022/2023 with over 1100 fires. We still see reports from the Fire Rescue Service (FRS) that where the occupant is present at the time of a chip pan fire, they have tried to extinguish the fire themselves by placing the oil pan under the tap in the kitchen sink or throw water on the pan causing the oil to explode causing serious injury allowing further fire to spread.

Sprinkler Saves UK have reported multiple incidents involving chip pan fires on each occasion the fire was extinguished, contained, or controlled.

  1. Lincoln, 7 August 2021
  2. Tonypandy, Rhondda, 29 December 2021
  3. Flint 3 June 2021
  4. South Yorkshire 26 August 2022
  5. London 21 August 2023

BAFSA have released a comprehensive video that demonstrates the clear benefits of sprinklers involving chip pan fires, click here to open.  Fire statistical data collated from incidents attended by fire and rescue service involving dwellings for the financial year 2019/20 confirmed that 1494 incidents took place involving chip pan fires

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

         

Details

Date:
9 June 2024
Time:
8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Event Category:

Venue

Newport

Other

Location (Town/City)
Newport
Type of Sprinkler Installation
Wet Pipe