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Havant Tall Building Fire Extinguished By Sidewall Sprinkler Head
February 19
Credit image Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire & Rescue Service
- Date of incident; 19 February 2024.
- Tine of call; 19:30.
- Location; Havant.
- Use of building; Purpose Built Flats/Maisonettes – 10 or more storeys.
- Location of fire; Kitchen.
- Automatic Fire Suppression System; Sprinklers.
- Fire Rescue Service; Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire & Rescue Service.
Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire & Rescue Service reported the above-mentioned incident, identifying the benefits of retrofitting fire sprinkler systems within high rise residential block.
Rob Cole, Head of operations at Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire:- “The incredible impact of sprinklers was again demonstrated in the tackling of this fire. The system kept the fire itself under control and prevented it spreading while enabling our crews to tackle the fire quickly and safely. Having sprinklers installed is like having a firefighter in every room. No residents needed to be evacuated and the stay put policy worked as it should.” Rob Cole, Head of Operations at Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service, commenting on one incident at a tower block in Southampton. (Source: Southampton City Council website)
The Incident
- Fire crews from local stations were mobilised to reports of a sprinkler alarm actuating within a residential high-rise block.
- On arrival the officer in charge (OIC) established that a fire had broken out within a third floor flat.
- The activation of the sprinkler system provided time for the OIC to complete a dynamic risk assessment to extinguish the fire.
- Operational crews wearing Breathing Apparatus were committed as part of a 2-line attack.
- Upon entry to the flat it was identified that the fire had been extinguished within the Kitchen following the activation of 1 sidewall sprinkler head.
- The cause of the fire was established to involve a cooking appliance.
- At the time of the fire the kitchen door was closed which contained the fire to the room of origin, limiting further fire damage, Identifying the benefits of passive fire safety measures
- Providing effective fire protection requires both passive and active elements working in unison and complementing the roles of one another. The use of a combined approach allowing the occupants of exiting the building safely/damage to the property is minimized.
- The sprinkler system was isolated by the FRS following a review of the dynamic risk assessment.
Credit image Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire & Rescue Service
This incident once again identifies the benefits of sprinklers playing a significant role, as part of an appropriate package of fire safety measures reducing the impact of fire on people, property, and the environment
- The alarm was raised allowing the Fire Rescue Service (FRS) to be mobilised.
- On arrival of the FRS no further fire fighting was required as the fire had been extinguished by the sprinkler system.
- Conditions for flashover diminished in room of origin.
- Additional time allowing the OIC to complete a dynamic risk assessment to implement an operational tactical plan.
- The fire did not spread to the common ways compromising the means of escape.
- Risk to firefighters reduced.
Emergency Plan
It was reported following the incident that flats were affected by water, it should be remembered that a robust emergency plan will allow the provision, availability of emergency response information for the FRS, onsite representatives to interact with the premises active fire safety systems where present such as sprinklers and other forms of Automatic Fire Suppression Systems. (AFSS)
The outcome of which will allow a robust onsite emergency response to be immediately actioned to assist in the management of water from the activation of the sprinkler system following a fire or even following the unlikely likelihood of un-intentional release of water. Of course, water will be in the vicinity of the seat of the fire at the conclusion of the incident the extinguishing medium of sprinklers as we know is water. Following the completion of a dynamic risk assessment the sprinkler water supply was isolated by Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire & Rescue Service.
AFSS play a significant role, as part of an appropriate package of fire safety measures reducing the impact of fire on people, property, and the environment..
Links/sources/further information
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 FRS/sprinkler companies 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
