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
Observations/comments
It is noted following the successful conclusion of this incident: –
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.
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