North Wales Factory Fire Sprinkler Activation

• Fire Rescue Service; North Wales Fire Rescue Service (NWFRS)
• Where; Wrexham
• When; 5 January 2023
• Type of incident; Accidental Fire
• Time of call; 08:44
• Occupancy; Industrial
• Building; Factory
• Type of premises; Garment Recycling Factory
• Automatic fire suppression System; Fire Sprinklers

NWFRS have reported the above-mentioned fire involving a commercial conveyor belt which transports recycled materials for granulation (manufacturing process)

Incident

• The seat of the fire was identified to involve the industrial granulator
• Overheating due to friction involving the industrial rubber conveyor belt
• Premises sprinkler system activated resulting in 2 pendent sprinkler heads actuating
• Containing/controlling the fire prior to the arrival of NWFRS
• 100 members of staff were evacuated with no injuries reported
• Breathing apparatus team consisting of two wearers were committed to seat of the fire, extinguishing the fire using one hose reel jet
• Fire damage contained to floor of origin consisting of
• 20% Fire damage
• 50% smoke damage
• The Sprinkler System was interfaced with the fire detection and fire alarm system allowing the premises emergency plan to be implemented

Benefits of the sprinkler system

• Contained/controlled the fire
• Integrity of the means of escape, maintained
• Rapidly reducing the rate of production of heat and smoke allowing the Fire Rescue Service crucial time to implement the operational tactical plan
• Complete search and rescue operations by limiting fire development, which significantly reduces the risks to firefighters.

Business Continuity

• This is the second reported fire within 7 months involving the premises commercial conveyor belt clearly demonstrating the benefits of sprinklers protecting factories with commercial sprinkler system.
• Preventing a minor small fire from accelerating into a major fire
• Minor disruption reported for the business
• Severe damage, loss of earnings and ongoing disruption to the business was avoided

Links

• British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association, Sprinkler Saves Annual Review 2021/22
• Wrexham Industrial Conveyor Belt Sprinkler Activation
• North Wales Fire Rescue Service