Scotland Specialized Housing Sprinkler Save

• Date of Incident; 8 June 2022
• Time of call; 06:44
• Location; Scotland
• Occupancy; Specialized Housing
• Two storey, 30 Individual  flats with additional care facilities
• Automatic Fire Suppression System; Sprinklers

The Incident

The fire occurred within the ground floor of a 2-bedroom flat activating 1 concealed pendent residential sprinkler head. A further sprinkler head located in the room of origin did not actuate as the required temperature of 68 degrees was not achieved, the cover plate however detached from its housing. The fire was extinguished before the arrival of Scottish Fire & Rescue Service (SFRS) with minor fire, smoke damage reported in the compartment of origin, the fire is believed to have been caused by careless disposal of smoking materials igniting the armchair.

Business Continuity

• Sprinkler system interfaced with the fire alarm system with the facility of being connected to a alarm receiving centre or onsite representative, outcome SFRS immediately mobilised
• On arrival sprinkler system isolated by SFRS,
• System reinstated the same afternoon
• Minimal disruption to the home
• Alternative accommodation required for the occupant of the flat, allowing minor repairs to be completed following the fire

 This incident clearly demonstrates the benefits of installing Automatic Fire Suppression Systems in premises housing the most vulnerable residents in our communities.

• Fire confined to compartment of origin preventing flashover
• Safety of fire crews reinforced with extra time to implement their tactical action plan
• Providing;

1. Extra layer of safety from fire protecting our most vulnerable residents
2. Effective solution to reduce fire losses and its consequences, including the impact of fire on the environment

• No injuries reported

 Residential Sprinkler System

• BS9251;2014 Category 3 System
• Concealed Pendent sprinklers
• Water Supply; Standalone capacity tank & pump

 Point of Note

• Unlike Scotland and Wales it is not mandatory to install residential sprinkler systems in new specialized, extra care housing schemes or care homes in England.
• The outcome of this incident could have been so different, if the incident occurred south of the border

Case Study, The Newgrange Care Home

• Location; Herfordshire England
• Date; April 2017
• Use of premises; Care home
• Incident;Fire
• Outcome;

1. 12 Fire pumping appliances
2. Firefighters rescued 33 elderly/Immobile residents
3. Premises destroyed by the fire

• Two residents sadly lost their lives

 If sprinklers had been fitted, the outcome could have been so different.

• Coroner raised concerns fire sprinklers not mandatory
• Home was rebuilt, without fire sprinklers despite the recommendations of Herfordshire Fire & Rescue Service

 Links

The British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association

• Sprinkler Saves UK, Annual Review 2021/22

Produced for information purposes to raise awareness of the importance of collating sprinkler saves from across the United Kingdom

• Incident Data Reports Focus on Sprinklers

A series of reports providing detailed analysis of compound data on fire incidents in Great Britain where fire sprinklers were reported as present, operated over the period of 2018/19 to 2021/21