Northamptonshire Warehouse Sprinkler Activation

• Fire Rescue Service; Northamptonshire Fire & Rescue Service (NFRS)
• Incident; Fire
• When; 20 September 2022
• Time of call; 18:36
• Where, Northamptonshire
• Occupancy; Warehouse, distribution centre
• Automatic fire suppression System; Commercial sprinkler system

Northamptonshire Fire & Rescue Service have reported the following 4 pump fire involving a single storey warehouse distribution centre (80,000m²) resulting in the activation of the premises commercial sprinkler system.

Incident

• External fire involving the premises carboard baler located in the loading bay
• 1x sprinkler head actuated
• Containing/controlling the fire prior to the arrival of NFRS
• On arrival crews identified that the loading bay was heavily smoke logged.
• The premises was immediately evacuated in accordance with the premises emergency action plan
• Breathing apparatus crews were committed extinguishing the fire with a hose reel jet
• It is reported that crews left the incident after 22:00
• No injuries were reported

Sprinkler System

• BS12845
• Water supply dedicated storage tank

Business Continuity, this incident clearly demonstrates the inclusion of fire sprinklers

• Prevent major financial and equipment losses for UK Businesses
• Offer business owners technology which reduces risk to life and degree of damage caused in the event of a fire
• Increase resilience to fire incidents controlling/extinguishing a fire before the arrival of the FRS
• Reduce the impact from fire on business allowing the business to be back up and running within a short period of time

Further guidance

• BAFSA, Sprinkler Saves Annual Review
• Northampton Fire& Rescue Service

Sources

• Northamptonshire Fire & Rescue Service (NFRS)
• Northamptonshire Telegraph
• Sprinklers ensure resilience for business (Government Business)