Shropshire Recycling Sprinkler Activation

• Fire Rescue Service; Shropshire Fire & Rescue Service (SFRS)
• SFRS Resources; Eight Pumping Appliances
• Date of incident; 1 June 2022
• Location; VeoliaBridgnorth
• Purpose group; Industrial Premises Recycling
• Use of property; Recycling Plant Paper
• Time of call; 18:04
• Time of stop; 19:08
• Incident; Fire
• Location of Incident; Ground floor, Recycling Wastepaper Bay
• Automatic Fire Suppression System (AFSS)
• 150nb Dry sprinkler system installation
• Sprinklers – 2 heads operated – K115 – 141deg, Standard Response, Upright
• Density / Area design – 20.4mm/minm2 over 300m2
• Height 9m.

Image credit SRFS

The Shropshire Star have reported the above-mentioned incident that clearly identifies the benefits of installing a commercial sprinkler system to meet the objectives of a ¹fire prevention plan.

• Minimising the likelihood of a fire happening
• Aim for a fire to be extinguished within 4 hours
• Minimise the spread of fire within the site and to neighbouring sites

These types of incidents

• Are difficult to contain/control and extinguish
• Require large amount of fire rescue service resources for long periods
• Serious impact on public health, the safety of firefighters and local communities

The Incident

• On arrival operational crews identified a fire within the recycling wastepaper bay involving 20 tonnes of wastepaper
• The sprinkler system activated containing/controlling the fire
• The fire was extinguished by crews wearing breathing apparatus using a hose reel jet

Outcome

• Minimal disruption to business
• SFRS Stop message was sent 64 mins from time of call
• Major fire prevented
• Reducing damages, costs to business and the economy as a whole

 Key message

As part of a holistic approach Automatic Fire Suppression Systems have been proven to be one of the most effective active fire protection measures containing/controlling these types of fires preventing large costly fires developing.

• British Automatic Fire Sprinkle Association, Information file, Fire Suppression Systems for the Waste Management Industry
• Shropshire Star
• SFRS press release

Source, article

• Shropshire Star
• Press release Shropshire Fire & Rescue