Tall Building Sprinkler Activation Stockton

Credit; Cleveland Fire Brigade

• Date of incident; 26 July 2024
• Tine of call; 02.55
• Time of stop; 03:16
• Location; Stockton.
• Use of building; Purpose built block of flats 10 floors and above.
• Incident; fire.
• Location of fire; Kitchen
• Number of fire appliances; 7
• Automatic Fire Suppression System; BS9251
• Fire Rescue Service; Cleveland Fire Brigade (CFB)

The decision taken by the housing landlord agreeing to install residential sprinklers within their residential tall buildings as part of a package of fire safety measures vindicated following the above-mentioned kitchen fire reported by Cleveland Fire Brigade. The benefits of the residential sprinkler system extinguishing the chip pan fire demonstrated in the attached image of the aftermath of the incident with fire damage sustained in the vicinity of the extractor fan located directly above the seat of the fire only.

Teesside live reported that Joe Flounders, head of protection at Cleveland Fire Brigade, said: “This incident serves as a stark reminder for residents to chuck out their chip pans, which are major fire hazards, and switch to safer alternatives like air fryers. We are incredibly thankful to Thirteen Group for having the foresight in installing the sprinkler system which activated, extinguishing the fire and preventing it from spreading within the flat, which could have been catastrophic.

“We believe that sprinklers are a highly effective, reliable and a cost-effective fire safety measure that can save lives, reduce injuries, protect our firefighters who attend incidents, provide peace of mind for our residents and reduce property damage. Cleveland Fire Brigade is committed to reducing risk to its communities and the installation of sprinklers by residential properties, businesses, schools and care homes will help achieve this.”

The Incident

• Fire crews were mobilised to reports of a fire
• Following the completion of a dynamic risk assessment, key tasks by the officer in charge on arrival, it was established that the building was fitted with a residential sprinkler system with the fire located within a dwelling on the seventh floor
• The benefit of the sprinkler system allowed extra time for the OIC to implement a robust operational tactical plan for the incident.
• Upon entry to the flat it was established that a fire within a kitchen room had been contained, controlled extinguished by the activation of one sidewall sprinkler head.
• Two residents self-evacuated their flat prior to the arrival of Cleveland Fire Brigade with no injuries reported.
• The cause of the fire a chip pan which was left unattended.
• 5% Fire damage, 100% smoke damage to the compartment of origin.
• Information was available for CFB to identify the location and provision of key elements of the fire sprinkler system allowing a robust onsite emergency response to be immediately actioned to assist the control of the sprinkler system  following the  fire.

• image credit CFB,
• location of isolation valve.

Sprinkler System

• BS9251
• Category 4
• Coverage flats/common ways
• Designated water tank supply with twin pumps
• Dedicated power supply

Benefits of a residential sprinkler system

It should be remembered that a correctly designed and installed sprinkler system

1. Is an effective active fire safety measures part of a holistic approach.
2. Reduces the heat output from fire by reducing its growth, containing, controlling or in some cases extinguishing the fire
3. Allows more time for the occupants to escape to safety or be rescued
4. Initiates the appropriate emergency procedures by sounding a sprinklered local alarm

The provision of a sprinkler system does not negate the need for other fire practical precautions or provisions, particularly where occupants of buildings may be at a higher- than-average risk from fire.

This incident once again, debunks the myth, residential sprinklers as an extinguishing media should not be used on chip pan fires

In England cooking fires are the most common type of accidental fire reported for the period 2013/2014 to 2022/2023 with over 1100 fires. We still see reports from the Fire Rescue Service (FRS) that where the occupant is present at the time of a chip pan fire, they have tried to extinguish the fire themselves by placing the oil pan under the tap in the kitchen sink or throw water on the pan causing the oil to explode causing serious injury allowing further fire to spread.

Sprinkler Saves UK have reported multiple incidents involving chip pan fires on each occasion the fire was extinguished, contained, or controlled.

1. Lincoln, 7 August 2021
2. Tonypandy, Rhondda, 29 December 2021
3. Flint 3 June 2021
4. South Yorkshire 26 August 2022
5. London 21 August 2023
6. Newport July 2024

BAFSA have released a comprehensive video that demonstrates the clear benefits of sprinklers involving chip pan fires, click here to open.  Fire statistical data collated from incidents attended by fire and rescue service involving dwellings for the financial year 2019/20 confirmed that 1494 incidents took place involving chip pan fires

Links/sources

• Sprinkler Saves Review 2023/2024
• Sprinkler Saves Spring Update No 4
• Cleveland Fire Brigade press release
• Westhampsted Square AFSS Activation Case Study

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.