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Sprinkler system extinguishers Essex dwelling low-rise residential fire

June 18

Summary

The value of Automatic Fire Suppression Systems (AFSS) was clearly demonstrated in a low-rise residential building fire reported by Triangle Fire Systems Ltd.
The building’s sprinkler system activated containing and extinguishing a fire within the dwelling involving electrical devices.
No injuries were reported.
This incident demonstrates the effectiveness of sprinklers allowing a positive outcome in controlling fires at an early stage.
By limiting fire spread, reducing the risk to life, preventing flashover, and minimising property damage.
A sprinkler activation is categorised as an event where one or more sprinkler heads have activated and contained, controlled, or, in some cases, extinguished a building fire.
This incident provides further evidence of the effectiveness, benefits of sprinklers as part of a comprehensive fire safety strategy.
Providing further weight to the reliability and effectiveness of sprinkler systems following the report conducted by ¹Optimal Economics and commissioned by the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC), National Fire Sprinkler Network into the performance, reliability, and effectiveness of sprinkler systems in controlling and extinguishing fires.

The Incident

Basildon June 2026.
A fire that started in the living room of a third floor flat involving electronic device(s).
A mobile phone and a portable power bank which were left on charge on a living room sofa.
One of the electronic devices then overheated and caught fire after a pillow was placed over it, allowing the fire to spread to the sofa.

As the temperature increased at ceiling level due to the fire plume, the sprinkler head cover plate nearest to the fire disengaged allowing the sprinkler head to drop from its housing.
The continued heating of the exposed sprinkler head caused the heat sensitive liquid in the glass bulb to expand causing the glass to break releasing the plug.
Allowing the water to be released within the pipework, striking the deflector, forming a uniform spray pattern over the fire.
One concealed sprinkler head activated in the room of origin containing and controlling the fire, reducing fire growth preventing flash over and reducing property damage.

On arrival of Essex Fire Rescue Service, it was confirmed that the fire had been extinguished by the activation of the sprinkler system. firefighters proceeded to isolate the sprinkler system isolation valve(s)
Fortunately, the activation of the premises sprinkler system and smoke detector raised the alarm allowing the occupant to self-escape the dwelling before the arrival of the FRS. There were no reports of any injuries.
Fire damage was sustained to the sofa, furnishings with smoke damage reported throughout the flat. While minor restoration work is undertaken by the landlord, the occupant has been rehoused.
The sprinkler activation was reported to Triangle fire System engineers at 13:00hrs with the sprinkler system reinstated at 17:00hrs, in accordance with the requirements of BS9251, Fire Sprinkler Systems for Domestic and Residential Occupancies – Code of Practice.

Conclusion

This incident provides further supporting evidence of the benefits of sprinklers to under pin the British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association’s (BAFSA) advocacy, turning operational evidence into persuasive tools for policy and parliamentary engagement.
We welcomed the government’s November 2020 decision to lower the height threshold for mandatory sprinklers in purpose group 1a (residential blocks of flats) from 30 metres to 11 metres. Nevertheless, concerns persist regarding the lack of requirements to retrofit existing residential buildings with sprinklers.
In alignment with the ²NFCC sprinkler position statement, The BAFSA advocate for government action to mandate the retrofitting of sprinklers in high-rise residential buildings. Retrofitting should apply to all existing residential buildings over 18 metres in height, or those with at least seven storeys served by a single staircase, as well as all existing residential buildings exceeding 11 metres, based on risk assessments.
The outcome of this fire could have been so different if the building had not been fitted with a sprinkler system.

Sources/further reading

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 and those in the sprinkler community to promote, collate, report sprinkler activations to Sprinkler Saves UK which 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.