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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250701
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260101
DTSTAMP:20260418T093737
CREATED:20260114T141112Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260120T065647Z
UID:10000544-1751328000-1767225599@www.sprinklersaves.co.uk
SUMMARY:Sprinkler systems extinguish fires in extra-care living accommodation in Croydon and Abergavenny\, strengthening the argument for making them statutory.
DESCRIPTION:Background \nThe benefit of installing Automatic Water Suppression Systems (AWSS) protecting the most vulnerable residents of our communities was clearly demonstrated following reported dwelling kitchen fires by the London Fire Brigade and South Wales Fire and Rescue Service involving extra care living accommodation\, a form of specialised housing. \nFor both incidents the fire was contained\, controlled and extinguished by the operation of the building’s AWSS with no injuries reported. Demonstrating the effectiveness of AWSS in controlling fires at an early stage\, significantly reducing the risk to life\, limiting fire spread\, and minimising property damage\, preventing the fire from spreading further and enabled a swift\, safe resolution. \nSpecialised housing\, extra care housing schemes has seen demographic shifts\, with people living longer lives. This rise in life expectancy means more residents face mobility issues\, reduced sensory abilities\, and cognitive challenges\, which all heighten both the chances of fire and the risk to individuals during such emergencies. \nThe BAFSA welcomed the government’s announcement that\, starting in March 2025\, all newly built care homes must have sprinklers installed. However\, we are still concerned that this requirement does not extend to specialised housing\, where residents often face similar risks as those in care homes. Fire safety guidance is provided by the National Fire Chiefs Council for specialised housing\, advocating the use of AWSS\, but it’s not statutory. In England\, the regulations covering AWSS trail behind the rest of the UK\, In Scotland and Wales sprinklers are mandatory for new build specialised housing. \nThis concern was reiterated in the ¹Coroners report aimed at preventing future deaths\, which was sent to the then Rt Hon Michael Gove\, Secretary of State for Levelling Up\, Housing and Communities in March 2023. The report followed the investigation conducted by the coroner into the death of Mr Brian George Harefield aged 85\, who was overcome by smoke\, found unconscious in his flat\, and sadly lost his life. \nThe study\, analysis of ²national fire data\, an in-depth review of fire-related fatalities and severe casualties in England\, 2010/11 to 2018/19 referenced that while there is a lack of recent research on fatal fires\, the available studies consistently identified age\, the presence of an impairment such as physical disability\, smoking\, and alcohol use as key factors on the outcome of the fire\, as they will be less able to respond to a fire. \nThe report raised concerns regarding the lack of mandatory sprinkler systems and other fire-safety measures in extra care and retirement housing particularly for older people with reduced mobility. It acknowledges the government consultation undertaken about sprinklers in care homes\, but the scope of this consultation does not cover to specific risks to those in extra care facilities. \nIn the response from the Secretary of State for Levelling up\, Housing and Communities\, it was acknowledged more evidence is needed on the benefits of sprinklers and other fire protection measures in specialised housing such as extra care facilities. \nA research programme is underway to access whether sprinklers are more effective than alternatives such as improved fire detection alarms or compartmentation\, stage 1 of this research supported requiring sprinklers in all new care homes stage 2 will focus on specialised housing\, including extra care. \nThe findings for stage 2 of this 3research was published in December 2025. The study was considered inclusive\, reflecting a wide range of building types and the project’s complexity and scope. The report also made several recommendations for further research\, including a review of sprinkler system provisions in all types and heights of buildings\, especially within the specialised housing and care home sector \nThe incidents \n\nDecember 2025\, Abergavenny extra care living accommodation \n\nOn Thursday\, 18 December 2025\, crews from South Wales Fire and Rescue Service attended a fire at a residential retirement complex. On arrival\, it was confirmed that a small fire had occurred within the kitchen area of a flat. \nit was found that the fire had already been extinguished by the building’s automatic sprinkler system\, highlighting the benefits to the flat’s occupants\, other residents of the building\, and the responding emergency services. All residents were accounted for\, with no injuries reported \nSouth Wales Fire and Rescue Service\, Area Manager Mike Wyatt said; \n“This incident clearly demonstrates the effectiveness of fire sprinkler systems in controlling fires at an early stage\, significantly reducing the risk to life\, limiting fire spread\, and minimising property damage. In this case\, the sprinkler system prevented the fire from spreading further and enabled a swift\, safe resolution.” \n“South Wales Fire and Rescue Service continues to support the use of sprinklers\, particularly in residential areas and specialised housing\, as proven measures to enhance fire safety and protect vulnerable occupants.” \n\nJuly 2025\, Croydon extra care\, extra care living accommodation\n\nMore than ten years after Croydon Council retrofitted sprinkler systems across its six extra-care housing complexes\, a kitchen fire occurred originating from a cooker. The fire was effectively contained and extinguished by the activation of a single sprinkler head\, eliminating the need for further firefighting\, no injuries were reported. \nIn September 2015\, the Fire Industry Association documented an earlier event at Truscott House one of Croydon’s extra-care housing complexes\, where a kitchen fire caused by a toaster was successfully extinguished by the sprinkler system. The activation of the sprinklers prevented the fire from reaching the resident’s bedroom while he was asleep\, thus ensuring his safety. The decision by Croydon Council to install sprinklers in all their extra-care housing facilities proved decisive in limiting the impact of these incident. \n \nConclusion                                                                    \nThese collection of incidents reinforces why the BAFSA\, The National Fire Sprinkler Network and the National Fire Chiefs Council has long advocated for the use of sprinklers in specialised housing and why\, Government should follow the lead of Scotland and Wales expanding sprinkler requirements to include specialised housing. \nProviding further supporting evidence to under pin BAFSA’s advocacy\, turning operational evidence into persuasive tools for policy and parliamentary engagement\, and reinforcing the case for wider sprinkler inclusion within national building policy. \nIn comparison the fire that burnt down the Beechmere extra-care retirement village in Crewe in August 2019 housing 132 apartments for some of our most vulnerable members of our communities\, is a reminder on the danger of fires for this sector. No lives were lost but over 150 residents lost their homes. \nSprinklers were not fitted as it was not a statutory requirement under the building regulations. \nSources/further reading \n\nSprinkler saves review 2025/25\nSprinkler Saves winter review\nNFSN Newsletter\nFire Industry Association\, Care home fire sparks call for sprinkler systems\n¹Coroners report to prevent future deaths\n2An in-depth review of fire related fatalities and severe casualties in England\, 2010/11 to 2018/19\n3Research and analysis Fire Safety: Specialised housing and care homes\nNews on the block\, six years after Beechmere-The fire safety gap remains\, BSA Tom Roche BSA\n\nIf you want to make a difference working in the fire sector\, we need your assistance. \nTo 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. \nIf you hear of a save report it using this link. \n           
URL:https://www.sprinklersaves.co.uk/saves/sprinkler-systems-extinguish-fires-in-extra-care-living-accommodation-in-croydon-and-abergavenny-strengthening-the-argument-for-making-them-statutory/
CATEGORIES:Residential
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250630
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250701
DTSTAMP:20260418T093737
CREATED:20251028T081927Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251114T044416Z
UID:10000535-1751241600-1751327999@www.sprinklersaves.co.uk
SUMMARY:Dagenham Flat Kitchen Fire Sprinklers Save
DESCRIPTION:Summary \nTriangle Fire Systems Ltd reported an incident involving a fire in a residential block of flats. The life safety sprinkler system was activated and effectively extinguished a cooking-related fire within one of the dwellings. \nA sprinkler save 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 for a building. \nProviding 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. \nRevealed that across all premises types: – \n\nSprinklers are 99% efficient in extinguishing or controlling a fire.\nSprinklers are 94% efficient in their ability to operate.\n\nThe incident  \n\nThe fire occurred in a sixth-floor flat of a nine-storey residential building.\n1 concealed sprinkler head activated extinguishing the fire.\nContaining\, controlling fire growth to the room of origin.\nMinor water\, smoke damage was reported within the flat\nThe premises emergency plan allowed Triangle Fire to be notified of the activation allowing the system to be recommissioned\n\nThe benefits sprinklers \nFor this reported fire\, the benefits of installing a residential sprinkler system within a residential purpose-built block of flats. The outcome of which \n\nRestricted the fire’s growth\, containing and controlling the fire to the room of origin.\nNo injuries were reported.\nPreventing conflagration that could challenge FRS maintaining a business-as-usual routine service.\n\nSources/further reading \n\nSprinkler Saves Review 2024/2025\nSprinkler saves autumn update\n¹Optimal economics report Efficiency and Effectiveness of sprinkler systems in the Uk: An analysis from fire service data\nTriangle Fire Systems Ltd\, Sprinkler Save\n\nIf you want to make a difference working in the fire sector\, we need your assistance. \nTo 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. \nIf you hear of a save report it using this link. \n  \n             
URL:https://www.sprinklersaves.co.uk/saves/dagenham-flat-kitchen-fire-sprinklers-save/
LOCATION:Greater London
CATEGORIES:Residential
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250604
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250605
DTSTAMP:20260418T093737
CREATED:20250715T114409Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250715T122110Z
UID:10000521-1748995200-1749081599@www.sprinklersaves.co.uk
SUMMARY:Bedfordshire Tall Building Bedroom Fire Saved By Retrofitted Sprinkler System
DESCRIPTION:Image credit BM Sprinklers/Triangle\nGroup Commander Mark Garrett\, responsible for fire safety at Bedfordshire Fire & Rescue Service (BFRS)\, said: “This incident shows exactly how sprinklers save lives. The system worked perfectly\, stopping the fire before it could spread. Our partnership with bpha helps keep residents safe. \nSummary  \nBFRS have reported that on Wednesday 4 June at 10:33pm fire crews were mobilised to a dwelling bedroom fire within a residential purpose-built block of flats\, caused by a lit cigarette extinguished by the operation of the premises’ retrofitted residential sprinkler system. \nA 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. Each of these incidents provides evidence of the effectiveness of sprinklers as part of a comprehensive fire safety strategy. \nFor this reported fire\, the benefits of retrofitting a residential sprinkler system within the dwellings of a single staircase purpose-built block of flats of 12 floors. The outcome of which \n\nRestricted the fire’s growth\, containing and controlling the fire to the room of origin.\nExtinguished the fire before the arrival of BFRS.\nPreventing a potential major protracted incident that could strain the operational resilience of BFRS resources and challenge maintaining routine services.\n\nThe Incident  \nOn arrival the incident commander established that a bedroom fire caused by a lit cigarette had been contained\, controlled and extinguished following the activation of 1 sidewall sprinkler head before the arrival of BFRS. No injuries were reported\, the resident self-evacuated the flat following the actuation of the domestic smoke detector \nImage credit BM Sprinklers/Triangle\nImage 1                                                           Image 2 \n           \nImage 1\, Activated sidewall sprinkler head\, located 3m from the seat of the fire which contained\, controlled and extinguished the fire. \nImage 2\, Identifies that the seat of the fire was in the vicinity below the head rest involving bed linen/textiles with smoke staining visible on the wall from the plume of the fire. \nOnsite information allowed firefighters to interact with the building sprinkler system allowing the system to be isolated at the conclusion of the incident. Minor water escape was reported affecting adjacent properties which was dealt with by bpha contractors in a timely manner. \nbpha should be recognised for their fire safety review within their residential high-rise building portfolio allowing the retrofitting of sprinklers on a case-by-case basis. \nLegislation \nThe outcome of this incident could have been so much different if sprinklers had not been fitted. Providing further evidence supporting calls from the ¹National Fire Chiefs Council urging the government to introduce regulations mandating sprinklers in England and specifically to mandate the retrofitting of sprinklers in all existing residential buildings over 11 metres in height based on risk assessments. Currently\, there is no statutory legislation for the retrofitting of sprinklers within residential tall buildings. \nThis incident demonstrates the benefits of installing and retrofitting sprinklers in such buildings\, showing that a properly designed and installed sprinkler system to BS9251:21 can detect\, raise the alarm\, and control or extinguish a fire at an early stage. \nThe provision of a sprinkler system does not eliminate the need for other fire safety measures\, especially for individuals at higher-than-average risk from fire and those unable to self-evacuate in the event of a fire. \nSources/further reading.  \n\nSprinkler Saves Review 2024/25\nSprinkler Saves Spring Update No 8\n1NFCC Sprinkler Position Statement\nBedfordshire Fire & Rescue Service\n\nIf you want to make a difference working in the fire sector\, we need your assistance…… \nTo 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. \nIf you hear of a save report it using this link. \n        \n 
URL:https://www.sprinklersaves.co.uk/saves/bedfordshire-retrofitted-tall-building-bedroom-fire-saved-by-sprinkler-system/
LOCATION:Bedfordshire
CATEGORIES:Residential
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250601T080000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250630T170000
DTSTAMP:20260418T093737
CREATED:20251112T072326Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260120T065725Z
UID:10000539-1748764800-1751302800@www.sprinklersaves.co.uk
SUMMARY:Dagenham Flat Kitchen Sprinklers Save
DESCRIPTION:Summary \nTriangle Fire Systems Ltd reported an incident involving a fire in a residential block of flats. The life safety sprinkler system was activated and effectively extinguished a cooking-related fire within one of the dwellings. \nA sprinkler save 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 for a building. \nProviding 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. \nRevealed that across all premises types: – \n\nSprinklers are 99% efficient in extinguishing or controlling a fire.\nSprinklers are 94% efficient in their ability to operate.\n\nThe incident  \n\nThe fire occurred in a sixth-floor flat of a nine-storey residential building.\n1 concealed pendent sprinkler head activated extinguishing the fire.\nContaining\, controlling fire growth to the room of origin.\nMinor water\, smoke damage was reported within the flat.\nThe premises emergency plan allowed the sprinkler contractors to be notified of the activation allowing the system to be recommissioned following the incident.\n\nThe benefits sprinklers \nFor this reported fire\, the benefits of installing a residential sprinkler system within a residential purpose-built block of flats. The outcome of which  \n\nRestricted the fire’s growth\, containing and controlling the fire to the room of origin.\nNo injuries were reported.\nPreventing conflagration that could challenge FRS maintaining a business-as-usual routine service.\n\nSources/further reading \n\nSprinkler Saves Review 2024/2025\nSprinkler saves autumn update\n¹Optimal economics report Efficiency and Effectiveness of sprinkler systems in the Uk: An analysis from fire service data\nTriangle Fire Systems Ltd\, Sprinkler Save\n\nIf you want to make a difference working in the fire sector\, we need your assistance. \nTo 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. \nIf you hear of a save report it using this link.
URL:https://www.sprinklersaves.co.uk/saves/dagenham-flat-kitchen-sprinklers-save/
LOCATION:Dagenham
CATEGORIES:Residential
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250520
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250521
DTSTAMP:20260418T093737
CREATED:20250521T161232Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250522T074710Z
UID:10000515-1747699200-1747785599@www.sprinklersaves.co.uk
SUMMARY:Cleveland Retrofitted Tall Building Kitchen Saved By Sprinkler System
DESCRIPTION: Image credit CFB\n“This incident again demonstrates the dangers associated with the use of chip pans\, Cleveland Fire Brigade urge members of the public to switch to safer alternative methods of cooking.  We applaud the landords approach to ensuring the safety of its residents through the installation of sprinkler systems\, without these this incident could have been catastrophic.” Says Matty Stather\, Fire Engineering Station Manager at Cleveland Fire Brigade. \n“Sprinkler systems 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.” Continued Matty Stather \nSummary \nOur thanks to Cleveland Fire Brigade (CFB) for reporting this positive news story reaffirming the importance of reporting sprinkler saves to Sprinkler Saves UK following a kitchen fire within a residential purpose-built block of flats extinguished by the operation of the premises residential sprinkler system. \nA sprinkler save is categorised as where one or more sprinkler heads have activated and contained\, controlled or in some cases\, extinguished a building fire. Each of these real-life individual tangible stories provides powerful evidence of the ability of sprinklers as part of an appropriate package of fire safety measures. \n\nReducing the impact of fire on people\, property and the environment\, reducing the risks to firefighters.\nAddressing the myths\, misconceptions regarding their safety and efficiency\, providing evidence of the ability of sprinklers to protect our communities from fire.\n\nFor this reported fire\, the benefits of \n\nRetrofitting a residential sprinkler system within the dwellings\, common ways of a single staircase purpose-built block of flats of 12 storeys.\nPreventing a potential major protracted incident\, which can lead to a significant strain on the operational resilience of Fire Rescue Service (FRS) resources\, leading to challenges maintaining a business-as-usual service.\nIncorporating a robust emergency plan allowing for the immediate attendance of an on-call response team to reinstate the sprinkler system\nDebunking the myth that residential sprinklers as an extinguishing media should not be used on fires involving chip pans.\n\nThe benefit of retrofitting life safety sprinkler systems by the landlord within their residential tall building property portfolio was demonstrated following reports of an accidental fire involving a chip pan fire\, two persons were present in the dwelling at the time of the fire who self-evacuated with no injuries reported before the arrival of CFB. \nThe heat generated from the fire\, activated 1 sidewall sprinkler head within the kitchen\, located 1.5m away from the seat of the fire\, which allowed a fire signal to be transmitted to the remote alarm receiving centre allowing the appropriate emergency response. The operation of the sprinkler system restricted the growth of the fire\, extinguishing the fire before the arrival of CFB. \nProviding 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\, National Fire Sprinkler Network into the performance\, reliability\, and effectiveness of sprinkler systems in controlling and extinguishing fires. \nThe reports found that: \n\nSprinklers are 99% efficient in extinguishing or controlling a fire.\nSprinklers are 94% efficient in their ability to operate.\n\nThe provision of a sprinkler system does not neglect the need for other fire practical precautions or provisions where the person is at higher-than-average risk from fire\, unable to self-evacuate in the event of a fire. \nThe Incident \n\nFire crews were mobilised by CFB fire control at 18:17 to a fire following an emergency call received from the landlord’s remote alarm receiving centre.\nResulting in the mobilisation of 4 pumping appliances\, 1 aerial appliance.\nFollowing the completion of a dynamic risk assessment by the incident commander (IC) it was established that the sprinkler system on the 11 floor of the 12-storey building had operated with in a flat.\nThe provision of the sprinkler system provided extra time for the IC to implement a robust operational high rise tactical plan for the incident.\nUpon entry to the flat\, fire crews established that a fire within a kitchen had been contained\, controlled and extinguished by the activation of 1 sidewall sprinkler head located within the room of origin.\nThe cause of the fire was cooking left unattended involving a chip pan which caught light\nMinimal fire/smoke damage was reported within the compartment of origin.\nNo further firefighting media was required by CFB.\nThe sprinkler system for the individual flat was isolated by CFB following confirmation to the IC that the fire was all out.\nTwo residents self-evacuated before the arrival of CFB\, no injuries were reported.\nThe sprinkler system was reinstated at 22:13 hours\n\nAll images credit CFB        \n \nImage 1 Seat of the fire with limited smoke/fire damage.                             \n \n Image 2 Minor fire damage sustained to the ceiling  above the fire. \n \nImage 3 Position of sidewall sprinkler head.                    \n\n Image 4 Sidewall sprinkler head.                                     \n\n  Image 5 Concealed sidewall sprinkler cover plate.          \n \nImage 6 location of flat isolation valve located in ceiling void in the common ways above the flat front door.\nPremises emergency plan \nDue to the provision of a robust emergency plan protocols were in place allowing firefighters to interact with the sprinkler system allowing the system to be isolated following the orders of the IC when it was identified the fire was all out. \nThe problem\, post fire sprinkler saves reported where buildings have been identified as affected by water egress following the successful activation of the sprinkler system containing\, controlling or in some cases extinguishing the fire\, predominately due to. \n\nPoor business continuity management\, inadequate onsite emergency planning by the building manager or responsible person for the fire safety arrangements within a building.\nAllowing onsite information to be available for firefighters to interact with the building active fire safety measures namely automatic water fire suppression systems.\n\nThere is now a high probability that firefighters will attend a variety of incidents where sprinklers systems are reported as present and having an impact within these types of buildings. \nThe provision of a robust emergency plan will allow an immediate emergency response to be actioned by the FRS 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\, due to the knock-on effect this can have on a business or occupancy. Debunking the myth that water damage following the actuation of the sprinkler system will be more expensive than the actual damage resulting from the fire. \nDemonstrating that a correctly designed and installed sprinkler system can detect\, raise the alarm and control or in this case extinguish a fire at an early stage of development. \nCFB maintaining a business-as-usual service \nAusterity\, cuts in public funding across the country have significantly impacted FRS resulting in a significant reduction to front line cover and prevention and protection activities putting a strain on resources impacting on public safety and service delivery. \nMajor protracted fire incidents therefore have a knock-on effect on local FRS resources\, leading to challenges maintaining a business-as-usual service allowing an effective response to attend other emergencies. The benefits of installing sprinkler systems in the built environment for FRS should not be underestimated. \n\nReduces the rate of production of heat and smoke\, limiting fire development preventing flash over providing the FRS.\n\n\nWith a further layer of protection for firefighters.\nCrucial time for the operational tactical plan to be implemented by the IC\, complete search and rescue operations.\nResources released earlier from the incident\, to attend other emergency incidents allowing a business-as-usual service to be maintained.\n\nFor FRS the early release of resources is paramount\, CFB have six whole time stations and 10 on call stations mainly in rural areas. For this incident 4 pumping appliances\, 1 aerial platform were  mobilised as part of the predetermined attendance. Due to the positive impact of the sprinkler system on the fire\, the incident stop message was sent 1 hour after the initial call allowing the release of all resources to be available to attend other emergencies. \nRetrofitting Sprinkler systems within tall residential buildings \nAt present there is no statutory legislation for the retrofitting of sprinklers within residential tall buildings. This incident demonstrates the benefits of installing\, retrofitting sprinklers within residential tall buildings\, demonstrating that a correctly designed and installed sprinkler system can detect\, raise the alarm and control or for this incident extinguish the fire at an early stage of development. \nIn addition to providing attending crews with confidence when attending tall building fires which are sprinkler protected compared to other buildings which are not sprinkler protected. \n¹Optimal economics report\, Efficiency and Effectiveness of sprinkler systems in the Uk: An Analysis from fire service data \nSources/further reading.  \n\nSprinkler Saves Review 2023/2024\nSprinkler saves Spring Update No 7\nBAFSA Information file\, A guide for Responsible Persons and Duty Holder\nEfficiency and Effectiveness of sprinkler systems in the Uk\nCleveland Fire Brigade\nBAFSA video chip pan demonstration\, click here to open chip pan fire\n\nIf you want to make a difference working in the fire sector\, we need your assistance…… \nTo 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. \nIf you hear of a save report it using this link. \n      \n  \n 
URL:https://www.sprinklersaves.co.uk/saves/cleveland-retrofitted-tall-building-kitchen-saved-by-sprinkler-system/
LOCATION:cleveland
CATEGORIES:Residential
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.sprinklersaves.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Screenshot-2025-05-22-at-08.42.45.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250516
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250517
DTSTAMP:20260418T093737
CREATED:20250722T174413Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250731T152757Z
UID:10000524-1747353600-1747439999@www.sprinklersaves.co.uk
SUMMARY:Cambridgeshire flat fire extinguished by sprinkler system
DESCRIPTION:Steve Flemming\, Fire Protection Manager  \n“Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue continue to support the National requirement for Sprinkler provision\, supporting their proven ability to save lives\, reduce fire damage\, and protect communities.” \n“Recent fire incidents have highlighted the devastating impact of fires that spread rapidly before emergency services arrive. The presence of sprinklers can drastically reduce fire-related injuries and fatalities.” \nSummary \nCambridgeshire Fire Rescue Service (CFRS) have reported a fire within a new purpose-built block of flats containing a mixture of 1- and 2-bedroom flats. The sprinkler system activated extinguishing the fire the cause of the fire was due to combustible material placed on the kitchen hob which had been accidentally turned on\, no injuries were reported. \nA 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. \nProviding 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\, National Fire Sprinkler Network into the performance\, reliability\, and effectiveness of sprinkler systems in controlling and extinguishing fires. \nIf it was not for the change in regulatory guidance for England reducing the threshold height for the installation of sprinklers within purpose group 1a (residential block of flats) from 30m to 11m in November 2020. The outcome of this incident could have been so different. \nThe incident  \n\n 2 pumping appliances were mobilised to reports of a fire\, on arrival the incident commander (IC) established that the premises sprinkler system had activated on the second floor of the 3-storey building.\nUpon entry to the flat\, fire crews established that the heat generated from the fire activated two concealed sprinkler heads within the room of origin.\nExtinguishing the fire with minimal fire/smoke damage reported\, no further firefighting was required.\nThe sprinkler system was immediately isolated by CFRS following confirmation to the IC that the fire was out\, fortunately a contractor was onsite who directed the crews to the sprinkler pump room allowing the system to be isolated at the conclusion of the incident.\nCrews remained onsite at the conclusion of the incident to complete salvage operations assisting with the removal of water released following the activation of the sprinkler system.\n\nBusiness Recovery plan  \n Firefighters are increasingly likely to respond to incidents in buildings equipped with sprinkler systems\, it is therefore critical for building managers and duty holders to integrate an effective business recovery plan into the premises’ emergency protocols. The benefit of which will allow the fire service to efficiently manage water following sprinkler system activation during a fire or in the rare event of accidental discharge\, thereby mitigating potential disruptions to business operations or occupancy. This should include comprehensive\, clear and accessible onsite information to facilitate fire service engagement allowing the sprinkler system to be isolated following confirmation to the incident commander the fire is all out. \nConclusion \nThis incident provides further evidence that the main functional objectives of a life safety sprinkler system were achieved. \n\nFirefighters can operate without due risk to assist evacuation\, effect rescue when necessary\nPrevent conflagration\nPreventing a potential major protracted incident\, which can lead to a significant strain on the operational resilience of Fire Rescue Service (FRS) resources\, leading to challenges maintaining a business-as-usual service.\n\nSources/further reading \n\nSprinkler Saves Review 2024/2025\nSprinkler Saves Summer Update No 8\nBAFSA Information file\, A guide for responsible persons and duty holder\n¹Optimal economics report Efficiency and Effectiveness of sprinkler systems in the Uk: An analysis from fire service data\nCambridgeshire FRS Sprinklers\n\nIf you want to make a difference working in the fire sector\, we need your assistance…… \nTo 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. \nIf you hear of a save report it using this link. \n   
URL:https://www.sprinklersaves.co.uk/saves/cambridgeshire-flat-fire-extinguished-by-sprinkler-system/
LOCATION:Cambridgeshire
CATEGORIES:Residential
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250501T080000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250531T170000
DTSTAMP:20260418T093737
CREATED:20250614T184832Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250622T133917Z
UID:10000520-1746086400-1748710800@www.sprinklersaves.co.uk
SUMMARY:Bristol Tall Building Air Fryer Kitchen Fire Saved By Sprinkler System
DESCRIPTION:Summary \nOur thanks to Avon Fire & Rescue Service (AFRS) for reporting this positive news story reaffirming the importance of reporting sprinkler saves to Sprinkler Saves Uk following a kitchen fire involving an electric air fryer within a residential purpose-built block of flats extinguished by the operation of the premises residential sprinkler system with no injuries reported. \nThe air fryer is now a popular kitchen appliance with the number of dwelling fires in England with “air fryer “mentioned in the additional free text from statistics sourced from the ¹Home Office Incident recording system (IRS) increasing year on year between 2016-2024 with 146 fires reported for the year ending 2024. Due to the limitations of the Incident recording system\, it is not possible to record ‘air fryer’ as an ignition source for fires. \nThis is the second reported sprinkler activation reported to sprinkler Saves Uk involving a electric air fryer where the fire was contained\, controlled and extinguished by the sprinkler system containing the fire to the room of origin. \nA sprinkler save is categorised as where one or more sprinkler heads have activated and contained\, controlled or in some cases\, extinguished a building fire. The story around the incident provides powerful evidence of the ability of sprinklers to protect life\, firefighters\, and property from fire as part of a package of fire safety measures. \nProviding further weight to the reliability and effectiveness of sprinkler systems following the report conducted by ²Optimal Economics\, and commissioned by the National Fire Chiefs Council\, National Fire Sprinkler Network into the performance\, reliability\, and effectiveness of sprinkler systems in controlling and extinguishing fires. \nThe reports found that: \n\nSprinklers are 99% efficient in extinguishing or controlling a fire.\nSprinklers are 94% efficient in their ability to operate\n\nFor this reported fire\, the benefits of Installing a residential life safety system within the dwellings of a residential tall building. \n\nReducing the spread of heat and smoke\, allowing more time for the occupants to escape to safety or be rescued.\nPreventing a major protracted incident\, which can compromise the operational resilience of Fire Rescue Services leading to challenges maintaining a business-as -usual service.\nFirefighters can operate without due risk to assist evacuation\, effect rescue when necessary\nPreventing the fire from spreading from the compartment of origin compromising the common ways.\nPrevent Conflagration\n\nThe provision of a sprinkler system does not neglect the need for other fire practical precautions or provisions where the person is at higher-than-average risk from fire\, unable to self-evacuate in the event of a fire. \nThe Incident \n\nFire crews were mobilised to a confirmed fire following an emergency call received from AFRS fire control from the resident of the dwelling.\nUpon entry to the apartment firefighters established that the fire within the open plan flat had been contained\, controlled and extinguished by the activation of 3 concealed sprinkler heads.\nMinor fire/smoke damage was reported within the compartment of origin.\nFire damage was confined to the electric air fryer\, work top\, kitchen wall units located directly above the seat of the fire.\nNo further firefighting media was required by AFRS.\nNo injuries were reported\n\n \nIt is interesting looking at how the fire plume has developed\, firstly attaching itself to the wall\, proceeding to make contact with the underside of the wall unit\, spreading outwards to the front of wall units\, until it reaches the celling spreading outwards forming a smoke layer. Despite the fire being shielded by the kitchen wall units the sprinkler system was successful extinguishing the fire \n \nThe effects of the sprinkler system using water as an extinguishing medium \n The physical properties of the water should not be underestimated \n\nIt cools the fuel\, reducing further generation of flammable gases\nWater is converted to steam in the plume and the hot gases at ceiling level\, so cooling\, reducing the radiated heat\, heating the fuel\nOnce converted into steam\, it limits the amount of oxygen reaching the flames\, smothering them\nWater cools the compartment\, increasing the amount of heat it will absorb from the plume so cooling it further\n\nPrevious incident reported where sprinklers were present having an impact involving electric air fryer fire. \nNottinghamshire student accommodation tall building kitchen fire\, February 2025 \n\nFire within an open plan communal kitchen extinguished by the activation of 2 sprinkler heads\nContained to the room of origin\nMinor fire damage contained to the air fryer\, kitchen worktop\, wall units\n\nProviding further evidence that residential sprinkler systems can contain\, control and extinguish fires involving electric air fryers \nPremises Emergency Plan \n\nThere is now a high probability that firefighters will attend a variety of incidents in buildings where sprinklers systems are reported as present and having an impact.\nIt is essential that the building manager\, duty holder considers that the emergency planning for the building includes onsite response information allowing the emergency services to interact with the active fire protection measures.\nThe benefit of which will allow the fire service to assist in the management of water following the activation of the sprinkler system following a fire or even following the unlikely likelihood of un-intentional release of water\, due to the knock-on effect this can have on a business or occupancy.\nDebunking the myth that water damage following the actuation of the sprinkler system will be more expensive than the actual damage resulting from the fire.\nFurther guidance can be found in the BAFSA Information file\, A guide for Responsible Persons and Duty Holder.\n\nReinstatement of the Fire Protection Measures \n\nIt is paramount that fire protection measures in buildings can function effectively in the event of a fire\, to achieve this the premises emergency plan should include that arrangements are in place allowing the immediate reinstatement of the sprinkler system.\nIt is a requirement of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order for the responsible person to implement the appropriate arrangements for the effective planning\, organisation\, control\, monitoring of the preventive and protective measures.\nAny delay could compromise the safety of the occupants in the event of a further fire within the building due to the sprinkler system being offline.\nThe emergency plan\, provisions were in place allowing the sprinkler system to be reinstated at the conclusion of the incident.\n\nAir Fryers \n\nAre a relatively new cooking appliance being used in our homes\, Aviva insurance have published guidance urging people to exercise caution after a new survey revealed nearly one in five Uk adults (19%) have encountered potential or actual fire hazards in their homes due to air fryers.\nReaffirmed following recent reports of a recent fire involving an air fryer in Bournemouth extinguished by the activation of the premises sprinkler system. The cause of the fire was caused by its owner who set it alight trying a cleaning hack they saw on TikTok.\nFurther research of the incident primary fire data is required to identify a trend on the benefits of sprinklers involving air fryer fires attended by FRS in which sprinklers were present\, having an impact. Due to the limitations of the Incident recording system\, it is not possible to record ‘air fryer’ as an ignition source for fires.\n\nSources/further reading \n\nSprinkler Saves Review 2023/2024\n¹Number of dwelling fires in England with “air fryer” mentioned in the additional information free text (IRS primary fire data)\n²Efficiency and Effectiveness of Sprinkler Systems in the United Kingdom: An Analysis from Fire Service data \nAviva issues fire warning around air fryer habits\nBAFSA Information file\, A guide for Responsible Persons and Duty Holder\n\n\nIf you want to make a difference working in the fire sector\, we need your assistance \nTo 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. \nIf you hear of a save report it using this link. \n       \n 
URL:https://www.sprinklersaves.co.uk/saves/bristol-tall-building-air-fryer-kitchen-fire-saved-by-sprinkler-system/
CATEGORIES:Residential
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250501T080000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250531T170000
DTSTAMP:20260418T093737
CREATED:20250614T180133Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250902T100240Z
UID:10000519-1746086400-1748710800@www.sprinklersaves.co.uk
SUMMARY:Bristol Residential Block of Flats E-Bicycle Sprinkler Save
DESCRIPTION:Summary \nA sprinkler save is categorised as where one or more sprinkler heads have activated and contained\, controlled or in some cases\, extinguished a building fire. Each of these real-life individual tangible stories provides powerful evidence of the ability of sprinklers as part of an appropriate package of fire safety measures. \n\nReducing the impact of fire on people\, property and the environment\, reducing the risks to firefighters.\nAddressing the myths\, misconceptions regarding their safety and efficiency\, providing evidence of the ability of sprinklers to protect our communities from fire.\nPreventing a potential major protracted incident\, which can lead to a significant strain on the operational resilience of Fire Rescue Service (FRS) resources\, leading to challenges maintaining a business-as-usual service.\n\nThis is the third reported fire reported to Sprinkler Saves Uk involving a e-bike/scooter within a domestic dwelling\, on each occasion the fire was contained\, controlled and extinguished by the activation of the premises sprinkler system. \nAvon Fire Rescue Service (AFRS)\, report that a E-bicycle within the hallway of a four roomed flat close to the flat front door caught fire. \n\nPreventing the occupants from self-evacuating the dwelling to a place of safety.\n10 persons in the dwelling at the time of the fire sought refuge in a room until rescued by firefighters using an aerial ladder platform from the fourth floor of the building.\nThe heat generated from the fire activated 1 concealed sprinkler head directly above the seat of the fire which contained\, controlled and extinguished the fire before the arrival of AFRS.\nMinor injuries were reported for the residents rescued from the flat for smoke inhalation.\n\nFrom the two previous incidents reported. In one\, the family were unable to self-evacuate from their flat because the escape route was compromised by fire resulting in firefighters assisting\, rescuing them from their dwelling. \n\nApril 2023\, Birmingham retrofitted residential block of flats¹\n\n\nE-bicycle\, lithium-ion battery left on charge in the hallway of the flat which caught fire compromising the means of escape.\nFire extinguished by the activation of the sprinkler system.\nFamily sought refuge on their external balcony until rescued by firefighters\nNo injuries reported.\n\nA West Midlands mum says her partner and her young son owe their lives to a sprinkler system \nafter it doused a fire in their high-rise home. She is quoted as saying in a West Midlands Fire & Rescue Service (WMFRS) media release: “We couldn’t get out. We were on the tenth floor. It was too high. I can tell you for sure that the sprinklers saved our lives. It is brilliant they were installed in the first place.” \n\nDecember 2024\, Gloucestershire house of multi occupancy² \n\n\nE-Bike\, lithium-ion battery left on charge within a studio flat which caught fire\n1 sprinkler head activated within the room of origin extinguishing the fire.\nResident self-evacuated the premises prior to the arrival of the FRS.\nNo injuries reported.\n\nObi Selassie\, Gloucestershire FRS Station Manager “If it was not for the activation of the sprinkler system extinguishing the fire before the arrival of the fire service\, we could be discussing a different outcome for this incident\, The benefits of sprinklers should not be underestimated they save lives and reduce injuries\, protect firefighters.” \nThe growing risk of e-bike and e-scooter fires involving lithium batteries should not be underestimated as these fires can spread rapidly and develop into larger fires within a short period of time\, potentially leading to significant uncontrollable runaway fires. Despite sprinkler protection of lithium batteries being outside the scope of current sprinkler design standards\, these incident(s) demonstrates that a sprinkler system can contain and help\, control a e-bike/scooter lithium battery fire. Reaffirming the importance of not charging batteries within your escape routes\, the dangers of lithium battery fires should not be underestimated as they can spread quickly out of control developing into significant fires within a short period of time. \nProviding further evidence that the main functional objectives of a life safety sprinkler system were achieved. \n\nReducing the rate of heat and smoke\, containing\, controlling the fire.\nReducing the likelihood of a fire spreading beyond the room of origin.\nFirefighters operated without due risk to either effect rescue or assist evacuation.\nPrevent conflagration\n\nAdding further evidence to the reliability and effectiveness of sprinkler systems following the two recent reports conducted ³Optimal Economics\, and commissioned by the National Fire Chiefs Council\, National Fire Sprinkler Network into the performance\, reliability\, and effectiveness of sprinkler systems in controlling and extinguishing fires. \nThe reports found that: \n\nSprinklers are 99% efficient in extinguishing or controlling a fire.\nSprinklers are 94% efficient in their ability to operate.\n\nThe provision of a sprinkler system does not neglect the need for other fire practical precautions or provisions where the person is at higher-than-average risk from fire\, unable to self-evacuate in the event of a fire. \nThe Incident \n\nFire crews were mobilised to a flat fire within a residential block of flats following an emergency call received by AFRS control.\nFollowing the completion of a dynamic risk assessment on arrival by the incident commander (IC) it was established that the sprinkler system on the 4 floor of the 6-storey building had operated within a 4 roomed flat.\nThe provision of the sprinkler system provided extra time for the IC to implement a robust operational tactical plan for the incident.\nUpon entry to the flat\, fire crews established that a fire within the flat hallway had been contained\, controlled and extinguished by the activation of 1 concealed sprinkler head located directly above the seat of the fire.\nMinimal fire/smoke damage was reported within the hallway.\nNo further firefighting media was required by AFRS.\n10 residents were required to be rescued by firefighters via turntable ladder due to the location of the fire near the flat front door compromising the means of escape.\nCause of the fire\, accidental involving a E-bicycle.\nThe common ways of the premises were not compromised by the fire as the flat front door (FD30S) contained the fire to the flat of origin\n\n\nAll images credit AFRS\nThis incident demonstrates the benefits of installing\, sprinklers within residential tall buildings\, demonstrating that a correctly designed and installed sprinkler system to BS9251 can detect\, raise the alarm\, control or extinguish the fire at an early stage of development. Providing attending crews with confidence when attending tall building fires which are sprinkler protected compared to other buildings which are not sprinkler protected. \nAFRS maintaining a business-as-usual service \nAusterity\, cuts in public funding across the country have significantly impacted FRS resulting in a significant reduction to front line cover and prevention and protection activities putting a strain on resources impacting on public safety and service delivery. Major protracted fire incidents therefore have a knock-on effect on local FRS resources\, leading to challenges maintaining a business-as-usual service allowing an effective response to attend other emergencies. The benefits of installing sprinkler systems in the built environment for FRS should not be underestimated. \nReducing the rate of production of heat and smoke\, limiting fire development preventing flash over providing the FRS. \n\nWith a further layer pf protection for firefighters\nCrucial time for the operational tactical plan to be implemented by the IC\nTo complete search and rescue operations\nResources released earlier from the incident\, to attend other emergency incidents allowing a business-as-usual service to be maintained.\n\nDue to the positive impact following the operation of the sprinkler system\, the incident was scaled down by the IC\, allowing the release of resources to be available to attend other emergencies. \nSources/further reading.  \n\nSprinkler Saves Review 2023/2024\nSprinkler saves Spring Update No 7\nBAFSA Information file\, A guide for Responsible Persons and Duty Holder\nAvon Fire and Rescue Service\, sprinklers\n¹Sprinkler save review\, April 2023\, Birmingham retrofitted residential block of flats\n²Sprinkler Save review\, December 2024\, Gloucestershire house of multi occupancy\n³Optimal economics report\, efficiency and effectiveness of sprinkler systems in the Uk\n\nIf you want to make a difference working in the fire sector\, we need your assistance…… \nTo 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. \nIf you hear of a save report it using this link.
URL:https://www.sprinklersaves.co.uk/saves/bristol-residential-block-of-flats-e-bicycle-sprinkler-save/
LOCATION:Bristol
CATEGORIES:Residential
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250414T080000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250414T170000
DTSTAMP:20260418T093737
CREATED:20250423T084052Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250429T170206Z
UID:10000511-1744617600-1744650000@www.sprinklersaves.co.uk
SUMMARY:LFB Reported Sprinkler Activations February-March 2025
DESCRIPTION:Introduction \nOur gratitude to The London Fire Brigade (LFB) for their ongoing support\, playing a key leadership role in promoting the benefits of fire sprinklers by the reporting of sprinkler activations\, rising to the call from the National Fire Chiefs Council who actively encourage fire services to collate\, provide fire data and case studies to Sprinkler Saves UK. \nReporting incidents taken from the Incident Recording System (IRS) for the month(s) of February -March 2025 where Automatic Fire Suppression Systems (AFSS) were reported as present\, having an impact in Greater London. Raising awareness of how the destructive effects of fire can be mitigated\, and in most cases\, be prevented through the enhanced use of sprinklers\, and other forms of AFSS which save lives\, protect firefighters\, homes and businesses as part of an appropriate package of fire safety benefits \nLondon Fire Brigade  \nLFB Is one of the largest\, firefighting\, community safety rescue services in the world protecting residents and property in Greater London as well as those who work or visit the capital. They report attending 126\,464 incidents of which 16\,120 were fires for the year 2023. \nLondon \nAs the capital of the United Kingdom\, London is also the largest city with a population of just over nine million and is projected to reach 10 million by 2035. It is home to one of the most ethnically diverse populations in the world. There are 32 boroughs in Greater London\, except for the City of London which is a county and government district. The risk from fire in the capital is diverse\, ranging from large industrial premises\, complex retail shopping centres\, major transport hubs\, and large high-rise residential developments. The latter is a key area as half of the population of London live in flats compared to less than 20% in the rest of the country. \nThe Review \nThe incidents contained within this review are collated from the Incident Recording System (IRS) for the month of February/March 2025 where AFSS were reported as present\, having an impact in Greater London. \n\nProviding evidence on the vital role sprinklers and other forms of suppression play by highlighting real\, tangible examples of where they have actuated.\nRaising awareness of the importance of collating sprinkler actuations from across the United Kingdom so societal awareness of the true value of sprinklers can be increased.\nAllowing trends\, anomalies to be identified in the emerging UK AFSS firefighting industry allowing the continued review of technical standards ensuring best practice within the sprinkler\, fire industry.\nProviding further evidence reaffirming the reliability and effectiveness of sprinkler systems following the two reports conducted by ¹Optimal Economics\, and commissioned by the National Fire Chiefs Council\, National Fire Sprinkler Network into the performance\, reliability\, and effectiveness of sprinkler systems in controlling and extinguishing fires.\n\nIncident Recording System (IRS) \nWhen a household or business has made an emergency fire call\, key information around the incident is captured\, inputted daily into the IRS by the Incident Commander (IC)of the incident using software forms structured into logical groups. For the most severe fire incidents the senior fire investigation officer compiles a report that details the findings of the investigation and the most likely origin and cause. Once completed\, this officer reviews and where necessary updates the IRS record to reflect the findings of the investigation. \n Each group contains questions in data fields with associated lists containing the appropriate answer options. Data collected about serious reportable fires include: \n\nTime and date of call\nFire Service or other geographical area\nType of building or vehicle\nMost likely motive (accidental or malicious)\nCause of fire (chip pan fires\, electrical\, etc.)\nSource of ignition (cigarettes\, cookers\, etc.)\nMaterials (furniture\, etc.)\nThe spread of fire (beyond room of origin\, etc.)\nThe nature of fire casualties\nRescue information and method of extinction\nThe effectiveness of automatic smoke detectors\nWere there any active safety systems present?\n\nThe importance of monitoring AFSS incident data has been acknowledged by the inclusion of the active safety system field focusing on the following performance characteristics of AFSS fire data. \n\nType of active safety system present\nLocation of active safety systems in relation to fire\nDid the system operate\nHow many operated\nImpact upon fire\nReason system did not function as intended\n\nThe IRS data captured is dependent on the fire officer who inputs the data and their training\, experience of AFSS and commitment to complete reporting. Not all fire officers might be able to identify the difference between a sprinkler or water mist system or take the time to count the number of sprinkler head activations before leaving the scene. \nThe use of IRS data plays an important role in promoting the benefits of AFSS as part of a combination of fire safety measures to reduce the impact of fire on our communities\, property and the environment\, while assisting fire firefighters in carrying out search and rescue operations by limiting fire development. \nIt should be remembered the installation of a life safety sprinkler system is to reduce the rate of heat and smoke\, allowing more time for the occupants to escape to safety or be rescued. The provision of a sprinkler system does not neglect the need for other fire practical precautions or provisions where the person is at higher-than-average risk from fire\, unable to self-evacuate in the event of a fire. \nKey facts: – 13 Incidents reported. \n\n5 incidents\, where the fire was extinguished by the activation of the sprinkler system\n2 incidents where the fire was contained/controlled by the activation of the sprinkler system\n1 incident where the fire was contained/controlled by the activation of the 3drencher system\n1 incident where the water mist system impact was recorded as ¹not know\n4 incidents reported where the sprinkler system did not operate\, due to\n\n\n1x Insufficient heat to operate the sprinkler system\n1x Not known\n2x Sprinkler system was not in the area where the fire occurred\n\n \nThese incidents provide further evidence\, supporting the UK research which was commissioned by The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC)\, National Fire Sprinkler Network (NFSN) and supported by BAFSA in the publication\, “Efficiency and Effectiveness of Sprinkler Systems in the United Kingdom: An Analysis from Fire Service Data”. Across all premises types: \n\nSprinklers are 99% efficient in extinguishing or controlling a fire.\nSprinklers are 94% efficient in their ability to operate.\n\nIncidents AFSS were reported as present\, having an impact.  \nPost the Grenfell tower fire\, regulatory and sector changes relating to fire safety have occurred. One such change has been the increase in installations of sprinklers across the country with housing providers\, local authorities and developers committing to install sprinklers in purpose-built block of flats on a new and retrofit basis. \nOf the 13 AFSS activations reported\, 2 incidents involved\, Purpose Built Flats/Maisonettes – 10 or more storeys extinguished on both occasions by the operation of the sprinkler system\, providing further evidence that the main functional objectives of a life safety sprinkler system were achieved. \n\nReducing the rate of heat and smoke\, containing and controlling or even extinguishing the fire.\nReducing the likelihood of a fire spreading beyond the room of origin.\nFirefighters completing operational duties without due risk to either effect rescue or assist evacuation.\nPrevent conflagration.\n\n1.Westminister Bus/coach station/garage \n\nDate of Incident; February\nIncident; Fire.\nLocation of fire; corridor/hall\nAFSS; Sprinklers.\nImpact of AFSS; Contained/controlled\nNumber of sprinkler heads operated; 1.\n\nA fire involving the unsafe disposal of a cigarette within the corridor/hall of a bus station terminal was contained\, controlled by the activation of 1 sprinkler head which raised the alarm\, the fire was extinguished by crews using a 1x hose reel jet with fire spread limited to item first ignited. \n2.Westminister Takeaway\, fast food \n\nDate of Incident; February\nIncident; Fire.\nLocation of fire; Kitchen.\nAFSS; Watermist\nImpact of AFSS; Extinguished.\n2Number of sprinkler heads operated; 0\n\nIt is reported that a fire within the basement of a fast-food deep fat fryer restaurant was extinguished by the activation of the premises watermist system containing the fire to the room of origin. On arrival operational crews deployed a hose reel jet to extinguish remaining hotspots. \nFurther enquires would have to be made with LFB confirming the details recorded for the fixed firefighting system present\, having an impact. Typically\, the type of firefighting system found in commercial kitchens are wet chemical systems used for object protection\, kitchen areas\, fryers\, oil cookers etc and not used for area wide protection of a building. \nThe benefit of installing wet chemicals is that they provide excellent flame knockdown and surface cooling the scope of kitchen protection should include all appliances that are capable of catching fire and not just the deep fat fryers\, protection should cover ventilated ceilings/hoods\, plenums and duct entrances and should be activated simultaneously. \n2The number of water mist nozzles operated are not required to be recorded by the end user for watermist systems \n\n Kensington and Chelsea Converted Flat/Maisonettes – 3 or more storeys\n\n\nDate of Incident; February\nIncident; Fire.\nLocation of fire; Kitchen.\nAFSS; Sprinklers\nImpact of AFSS; Extinguished.\nNumber of sprinkler heads operated; 2\n\nFire crews were mobilised to reports of a fire within a converted Victorian terraced building converted into flats\, on arrival the IC identified that the sprinkler system operated containing\, controlling the fire within a flat by the activation of 2 sprinkler heads. \nThe fire was extinguished by firefighters using 1 hose reel jet\, further enquires are ongoing to establish the cause of the fire. \n\n Southwark Restaurant/café\n\n\nDate of Incident; February\nIncident; Fire.\nLocation of fire; Kitchen.\nAFSS; Sprinklers\nImpact of AFSS; Extinguished.\nNumber of sprinkler heads operated; 1\n\nIt is reported that the activation of 1 sprinkler head extinguished a fire within a commercial kitchen\, contained to the item first ignited with 5m² fire damage. No further firefighting was required. \n\n Waltham Forest House (single private dwelling)\n\n\nDate of Incident; February\nIncident; Fire.\nLocation of fire; Kitchen.\nAFSS; Sprinklers\nImpact of AFSS; Extinguished.\nNumber of sprinkler heads operated; 1\n\nThe benefits of sprinklers as a life safety system reinforced following a kitchen fire involving a chip pan/deep fat fryer which was extinguished by the activation of 1 sprinkler head. Firefighters rescued two persons on arrival\,  fire spread was contained to the item first ignited with no further firefighting required by operational crews on arrival. \n6.Westminister Public House \n\nDate of Incident; March\nIncident; Fire.\nLocation of fire; Kitchen.\nAFSS; Drencher\nImpact of AFSS; Extinguished.\nNumber of sprinkler heads operated; 1\n\nA basement kitchen fire involving a cooking pan left unattended resulted in the attendance of 25 firefighters to control\, extinguish the fire which damaged the kitchen and the ducting. It is reported that a drencher system was present having an impact containing controlling the fire. \nThe benefits of fixed firefighting systems controlling a fire has been proven to protect property\, business and jobs with the impacted business operational within hours\, avoiding the economic and social costs. \nFurther enquires would have to be made with LFB regarding the IRS primary fire data recorded for this incident as a drencher system is designed primarily for exterior fire protection. Typically\, in commercial kitchens fixed firefighting systems such as wet chemical systems are used for object protection\, kitchen areas\, fryers\, oil cookers etc and not used for area wide protection of a building. \nThe benefit of installing wet chemicals is that they provide excellent flame knockdown and surface cooling the scope of kitchen protection should include all appliances that are capable of catching fire and not just the deep fat fryers\, protection should cover ventilated ceilings/hoods\, plenums and duct entrances and should be activated simultaneously. \n7 Newham Purpose Built Flats/Maisonettes – 10 or more storeys \n\nDate of Incident; March\nIncident; Fire.\nLocation of fire; Living room\nAFSS; Sprinklers\nImpact of AFSS; Extinguished.\nNumber of sprinkler heads operated; 2\n\nLFB were mobilised to reports of a fire within a new purpose-built block of flats\, on arrival it was established that a living room fire within a flat had been extinguished by the activation of 2 sprinkler heads which contained\, controlled the fire to the room of origin. \nNo further firefighting was required\, the cause of the fire was reported to involve wiring\, cabling\, plugs. \n\n Westminster Purpose Built Flats/Maisonettes – 10 or more storeys\n\n\nDate of Incident; March\nIncident; Fire.\nLocation of fire; Other.\nAFSS; Sprinklers\nImpact of AFSS; Extinguished.\nNumber of sprinkler heads operated; 1\n\nThe benefits of installing sprinklers within a mixed-use development was reinforced following reports of a fire involving smoking materials within a flat which was extinguished by the activation of 1 sprinkler head which contained the fire to the room of origin\, no further firefighting was required by firefighters. \n4x incidents were reported where the sprinkler system did not activate which was due to either: – \n\nInsufficient heat to operate\, activate the sprinkler system.\nThe sprinkler system was not in the area where the fire\nFurther  enquiries would have to be made to establish the facts with LFB for  1 incident recorded as not known.\n\n\nCroydon Ford and drink processing\n\n\nDate of Incident; February\nIncident; Fire.\nLocation of fire; Kitchen.\nAFSS; Sprinklers\nImpact of AFSS; 4Did not contain/control.\nNumber of sprinkler heads operated; 0\n\nIt is reported that a fire in an item of electrical equipment within a fast-food modular restaurant commercial kitchen was extinguished using a local water supply. Whilst a sprinkler system was installed no heads operated as the fire was in an area not covered by the system. \nFurther enquires would have to be made with LFB regarding the IRS primary fire data recorded for this incident as a sprinkler system is typically not found in these types of modular restaurants  Typically\, in commercial kitchens fixed firefighting systems such as wet chemical systems are used for object protection\, kitchen areas\, fryers\, oil cookers etc and not used for area wide protection of a building. \nThe benefit of installing wet chemicals is that they provide excellent flame knockdown and surface cooling the scope of kitchen protection should include all appliances that are capable of catching fire and not just the deep fat fryers\, protection should cover ventilated ceilings/hoods\, plenums and duct entrances and should be activated simultaneously. \n4Firefighting system impact\, did not contained/control the fire\, this is a typo error as the system did not activate \n\n Southwark self-contained sheltered housing \n\n\nDate of Incident; February\nIncident; Fire.\nLocation of fire; Kitchen.\nAFSS; Sprinklers\nImpact of AFSS; Not Known\nNumber of sprinkler heads operated; 0\n\nIt is reported that firefighters were called to a kitchen fire involving a microwave oven\, whilst a sprinkler system was installed within the premises it did not operate\, no firefighting was required as the heat source was removed. \n\n Kensington & Chelsea restaurant/cafe\n\n\nDate of Incident; February\nIncident; Fire.\nLocation of fire; Kitchen.\nAFSS; Sprinklers\nImpact of AFSS; Not Known\nNumber of sprinkler heads operated; 0\n\nFire crews were called to reports of a commercial kitchen fire involving a dishwasher\, no further firefighting was required on arrival with fire spread limited to item first ignited\, the sprinkler system did not operate due to insufficient heat. \n\n Hillingdon purpose-built flats/maisonettes – 10 or more storeys\n\n\nDate of Incident; March\nIncident; Fire.\nLocation of fire; Kitchen.\nAFSS; Sprinklers\nImpact of AFSS; Not Known\nNumber of sprinkler heads operated; 0\n\nFirefighting crews were mobilised to reports of a flat kitchen fire\, it was established by the IC that no further firefighting was required as the item first ignited had been removed from the heat source. The retrofitted sprinkler system installed in 2020 within the dwellings did not activate due to insufficient heat. \n13.Wandsworth purpose-built flats/maisonettes – 10 or more storeys \n\nDate of Incident; March\nIncident; Fire.\nLocation of fire; Kitchen.\nAFSS; Sprinklers\nImpact of AFSS; Not Known\nNumber of sprinkler heads operated; 0\n\nA small incident involving wiring\, cabling within a flat bedroom was successfully closed using a local water supply. The sprinkler system did not operate due to insufficient heat being generated by the fire within the room of origin. \nAdvice For Building Managers\, the following advice is intended for building managers\, individuals who have responsibility for fire safety within a building. It is paramount that fire protection measures in buildings can function effectively in the event of a fire. \nTo achieve this: – \n\nMaintenance\, the premises fire protection measures should be maintained periodically in accordance with the relevant standards and codes\, to ensure they are always operational and available.\nEmergency Plan\, the premises emergency plan should include Information onsite for the Fire Rescue Service to clarify the location and provision of key elements of the active fire safety systems. Allowing a robust onsite emergency response to be actioned to assist with the control of the sprinkler system at the conclusion of the fire incident.\nReinstatement of the Fire Protection Measures\, arrangements should be in place allowing the immediate reinstatement of the sprinkler system. Any delay could compromise the safety of the occupants in the event of a further fire within the building due to the sprinkler system being offline.\n\n Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order\, it is a requirement of the Order for the responsible person to implement the appropriate arrangements for the effective planning\, organisation\, control\, monitoring of the preventive and protective measures. \nFurther detailed guidance on sprinkler protected buildings can be found in the BAFSA Information file\, a guide for responsible persons and duty holder. \nSources/further reading.  \n\nSprinkler Saves Review 2023/2024\nSprinkler Saves Summer Update No 6\nLFB sprinklers and other types of AFSS\nBAFSA Information file\, A guide for Responsible Persons and Duty Holder\nEfficiency and Effectiveness of Sprinkler Systems in the United Kingdom: An Analysis from Fire Service data in support of this publication a supplementary publication Incidence of Deaths and Injuries in sprinklered buildings was published\n\nIf you want to make a difference working in the fire sector\, we need your assistance…… \nTo 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. \nIf you hear of a save report it using this link. \n             \n 
URL:https://www.sprinklersaves.co.uk/saves/lfb-reported-sprinkler-activations-february-march-2025/
CATEGORIES:Commercial,Residential
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.sprinklersaves.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Screenshot-2025-02-23-at-21.24.20.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250221T000000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250221T235900
DTSTAMP:20260418T093737
CREATED:20250221T162923Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250222T090715Z
UID:10000505-1740096000-1740182340@www.sprinklersaves.co.uk
SUMMARY:LFB Reported Sprinkler Activations December 2024 -  January 2025
DESCRIPTION:Introduction \nOur gratitude to The London Fire Brigade (LFB) for their ongoing support\, playing a key leadership role in promoting the benefits of fire sprinklers by the reporting of sprinkler activations\, rising to the call from the National Fire Chiefs Council who actively encourage fire services to collate\, provide fire data and case studies to Sprinkler Saves UK. \nReporting incidents taken from the Incident Recording System (IRS) for the month of December 2024/January 2025 where sprinklers/watermist were reported as present and having an impact in Greater London. \nRaising awareness of how the destructive effects of fire can be mitigated\, and in most cases\, be prevented through the enhanced use of sprinklers\, and other forms of Automatic Fire Suppression Systems (AFSS) which save lives\, protect firefighters\, homes and businesses as part of an appropriate package of fire safety benefits \nLondon Fire Brigade  \nLFB Is one of the largest\, firefighting\, community safety rescue services in the world protecting residents and property in Greater London as well as those who work or visit the capital. They report attending 126\,464 incidents of which 16\,120 were fires for the year 2023. \nLondon \nAs the capital of the United Kingdom\, London is also the largest city with a population of just over nine million and is projected to reach 10 million by 2035. It is home to one of the most ethnically diverse populations in the world. There are 32 boroughs in Greater London\, except for the City of London which is a county and government district. The risk from fire in the capital is diverse\, ranging from large industrial premises\, complex retail shopping centres\, major transport hubs\, and large high-rise residential developments. The latter is a key area as half of the population of London live in flats compared to less than 20% in the rest of the country. \nThe Review \nThe incidents contained within this review are collated from the Incident Recording System (IRS) for the month of December 2024/January 2025 where AFSS were reported as present and having an impact in Greater London. \n\nProviding evidence on the vital role AFSS play by highlighting real\, tangible examples of where they have actuated.\nRaising awareness of the importance of collating sprinkler actuations from across the United Kingdom so societal awareness of the true value of sprinklers can be increased.\nAllowing trends\, anomalies to be identified in the emerging UK AFSS firefighting industry allowing the continued review of technical standards ensuring best practice within the sprinkler\, fire industry.\nProviding further evidence reaffirming the reliability and effectiveness of sprinkler systems following the two reports conducted by ¹Optimal Economics\, and commissioned by the National Fire Chiefs Council\, National Fire Sprinkler Network into the performance\, reliability\, and effectiveness of sprinkler systems in controlling and extinguishing fires.\n\n Incident Recording System (IRS) \nWhen a household or business has made an emergency fire call\, key information around the incident is captured\, inputted daily into the IRS by the officer in charge of the incident using software forms structured into logical groups. For the most severe fire incidents the senior fire investigation officer compiles a report that details the findings of the investigation and the most likely origin and cause. Once completed\, this officer reviews and where necessary updates the IRS record to reflect the findings of the investigation. \nEach group contains questions in data fields with associated lists containing the appropriate answer options. Data collected about serious reportable fires include: \n\nTime and date of call\nFire Service or other geographical area\nType of building or vehicle\nMost likely motive (accidental or malicious)\nCause of fire (chip pan fires\, electrical\, etc.)\nSource of ignition (cigarettes\, cookers\, etc.)\nMaterials (furniture\, etc.)\nThe spread of fire (beyond room of origin\, etc.)\nThe nature of fire casualties\nRescue information and method of extinction\nThe effectiveness of automatic smoke detectors\nWere there any active safety systems present?\n\nThe importance of monitoring AFSS incident data has been acknowledged by the inclusion of the active safety system field focusing on the following performance characteristics of AFSS fire data. \n\nType of active safety system present\nLocation of active safety systems in relation to fire\nDid the system operate\nHow many operated\nImpact upon fire\nReason system did not function as intended\n\nThe IRS data captured is dependent on the fire officer who inputs the data and their training\, experience of AFSS and commitment to complete reporting. Not all fire officers might be able to identify the difference between a sprinkler or water mist system or take the time to count the number of sprinkler head activations before leaving the scene. \n The use of IRS data plays an important role in promoting the benefits of AFSS as part of a combination of fire safety measures to reduce the impact of fire on our communities\, property and the environment\, while assisting fire firefighters in carrying out search and rescue operations by limiting fire development. \nIt should be remembered the installation of a life safety sprinkler system is to reduce the rate of heat and smoke\, allowing more time for the occupants to escape to safety or be rescued. \nThe provision of a sprinkler system does not neglect the need for other fire practical precautions or provisions where the person is at higher-than-average risk from fire\, unable to self-evacuate in the event of a fire. \nKey facts  \n\n15x Incidents reported where AFSS were present.\n8x incidents where the fire was extinguished by the activation of a sprinkler system\n1x incident where the fire was contained/controlled by the activation of a sprinkler system\n1x incident where the water mist system impact was recorded as ¹not known\n5x incidents reported where the sprinkler system did not operate\, due to\n\n\nInsufficient heat to operate the sprinkler system\nSprinkler system was turned off\nSprinkler system was not in the area where the fire occurred\n\n \nThese incidents provide further evidence\, supporting the most recent UK research which was commissioned by The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC)\, National Fire Sprinkler Network (NFSN) and supported by BAFSA in the publication\, “Efficiency and Effectiveness of Sprinkler Systems in the United Kingdom: An Analysis from Fire Service Data”. Across all premises types: \n\nSprinklers are 99% efficient in extinguishing or controlling a fire.\nSprinklers are 94% efficient in their ability to operate.\n\nIncidents where sprinklers\, water mist were reported as present\, having an impact.  \nPost the Grenfell tower fire\, regulatory and sector changes relating to fire safety have occurred. One such change has been the increase in installations of sprinklers across the country with housing providers\, local authorities and developers committing to install sprinklers in purpose-built block of flats on a new and retrofit basis. \nOf the 10 sprinkler/water mist activations reported\, two incidents involved tall residential building flat fires\, extinguished on both occasions by the operation of the sprinkler system\, providing further evidence that the main functional objectives of a life safety sprinkler system were achieved. \n\nReducing the rate of heat and smoke\, containing and controlling the fire\nReducing the likelihood of a fire spreading beyond the room of origin.\nFirefighters completing operational duties without due risk to either effect rescue or assist evacuation.\nPrevent conflagration.\n\n1.Ealing Purpose Built Flats/Maisonettes – 4 to 9 storeys \n\nDate of incident; December 2024.\nIncident; Fire.\nLocation of fire; Kitchen.\nAFSS; Sprinklers.\nImpact of AFSS; Extinguished.\nNumber of sprinkler heads operated; 1.\n\nA flat kitchen fire involving cooking\, extinguished by the activation of 1 sprinkler head with fire spread limited to room of origin with up to 5% fire damage reported. No further firefighting media was required by operational crews on arrival. \n\n Tower Hamlets Purpose Built Flats/Maisonettes – 10 or more storeys\n\n\nDate of incident; December 2024.\nIncident; Fire.\nAFSS; Sprinklers.\nImpact of AFSS; Extinguished.\nNumber of sprinkler heads operated; 2.\n\nA fire within a flat living room was extinguished by the activation of 2 sprinkler heads\, the cause of the fire involved candle/tealights accidently knocked onto an item of furniture. No further fighting media was required by operational crews to extinguish the fire. Fire spread was limited to item first ignited with up to 5sqm fire damage reported within the dwelling. \n3.Brent self-contained sheltered housing  \n\nDate of incident; December 2024.\nIncident; Fire.\nAFSS; Sprinklers.\nImpact of AFSS; Extinguished.\nNumber of sprinkler heads operated; 1.\n\nThis incident identifies why the English government should be looking to install sprinklers into all new specialised and supported housing. If it was not for the operation of the sprinkler system\, the outcome of this incident could have been so much different. \nThe demographic change in specialised and supported housing population has resulted in an increase in the occurrence of mobility difficulties\, reduced sensory capability and cognitive difficulties\, all of which bring greater risk from fire\, in terms of likelihood of fire and vulnerability in the event of a fire. \nThe study analysis of national ³fire data\, an in-depth review of fire-related fatalities and severe casualties in England\, 2010/11 to 2018/19 referenced that while there is a lack of recent research on fatal fires\, the available studies consistently identified age\, the presence of an impairment such as physical disability\, smoking\, and alcohol use as key factors on the outcome of the fire\, as they will be less able to respond to a fire. \nA bedroom fire involving smoking materials was extinguished by the activation of 1 sprinkler head\, limiting fire damage to item first ignited with 6-10sqm of fire damage reported. \nIt should be remembered the installation of a life safety sprinkler system is to reduce the rate of heat and smoke\, allowing more time for the occupants to escape to safety or be rescued\, The provision of a sprinkler system does not neglect the need for other fire practical precautions or provisions where the person is at higher-than-average risk from fire\, unable to self-evacuate in the event of a fire. \nFire protection is dependent on both passive and active fire systems such as sprinklers working in unison providing a further layer of safety from fire as part of a package of fire safety measures\, in reducing the impact of fire on people\, firefighters\, property and the environment. \n4/5.Camden Hospital \n\nDate of incident; December 2024.\nIncident; Fire.\nAFSS; Sprinklers.\nImpact of AFSS; Extinguished.\nNumber of sprinkler heads operated; 1.\n\nHospitals are a vital community asset\, yet at present there is no statutory requirements for sprinklers to be provided in hospitals in England except for high rise (more than 30m) and in certain commercial enterprises contained within hospital buildings. \nThe National Fire Chiefs Council report that the Department of Health and Social Care in England’s Health Technical Memorandum (HTM) 05-02: Fire risk in management in healthcare premises recommends the installation of sprinkler systems in hospitals. This document encourages sprinklers but does not mandate them\, a recommendation that hospitals are choosing to ignore. \nIt is therefore refreshing to report that the benefits of sprinklers in hospitals were clearly demonstrated following two fires within two days in the same large NHS Hospital involving batteries or generators which were extinguished on both occasions by the operation of one sprinkler head limiting fire damage to the room of origin on both occasions. \nCompare this to the events of 2008/09 which saw five significant fires at NHS sites in London which required the evacuation of part or whole of the building.  Resulting in a report to be published by NHS London “Review of five London Hospital fires and their management” to identify the lessons identified from the incidents allowing the ongoing development for the planning for the evacuation and shelter of people in healthcare premises. \nDisappointingly no reference is made within the publication regarding the benefits of sprinklers for healthcare premises as part of a package of fire safety measures. \n.6. Havering recycling plant  \n\nDate of incident; December 2024.\nIncident; Fire.\nAFSS; Water mist.\nImpact of AFSS; Not known.\nNumber of sprinkler heads operated; Not known.\n\nOn a regular basis the national press report multi-agency responses to large fires involving waste sites\, recycling plants impacting the local community\, environment. The outcome road closures\, residents required to close windows doors due to harmful smoke containing harmful contaminants resulting in a major environmental impact. \nWhen you compare this to the above-mentioned incident involving a water mist system that operated following a fire involving industrial equipment limiting fire damage to item first ignited with up to 5sqm fire damage\, the fire was extinguished by operational crews using a hose reel jet via pumping appliance. \nThis incident reinforces that one of the most effective strategies for containing\, controlling or extinguishing these types of fires is by the operation of an AFSS the benefit: – \n\nMinimise the impact of unmanageable fires.\nReducing costs to business/economy.\nPrevent conflagration.\nReduce the environmental impact.\n\n7. City of London Shopping Centre \n\nDate of incident; December 2024.\nIncident; Fire.\nAFSS; Sprinklers.\nImpact of AFSS; Extinguished.\nNumber of sprinkler heads operated; 2.\n\nA fire within a commercial unit kitchen involving cooking was extinguished by the operation of two sprinkler heads\, fire spread was limited to item first ignited with no further firefighting required by operational crews. \nBusiness continuity\, due the positive impact of the sprinkler system\, the commercial unit opened the following day for business. \nIn shopping centres\, it is common practice to protect the commercial unit/shop unit with fire sprinklers to contain the fire. Fire sprinklers are not normally installed in the malls due to the limited combustible loading allowed in these zones. Fires have significant impact on business continuity which can lead to business closures\, major impact on the local environment\, requiring major FRS resources. \nFor example\, a fire that occurred in July 2019 at the Walthamstow Mall requiring over 20 fire appliances and more than 110 firefighters to extinguish the fire. The shopping centre remained closed for two months with the damaged portion of the mall reopening in October 2020. \nShopping centres are complex buildings that often include a variety of uses within them\, leisure areas\, hotels\, apartments\, cinemas and offices. Therefore\, retail centres require a high standard of management compared to other building uses. \nWhich extends to ensuring the premises fire safety systems are operable in the event of a fire including fire sprinklers\, fire alarm system\, dry/wet risers\, smoke extraction units and fire curtains. To highlight this\, LFB published an open letter in 2020\, to those responsible for fire safety in shopping centres. Highlighting the importance of maintaining fire safety systems including the premises fire sprinkler system. \n\n Hillingdon Other Residential Home\n\n\nDate of incident; January 2025.\nIncident; Fire.\nAFSS; Sprinklers.\nImpact of AFSS; Extinguished.\nNumber of sprinkler heads operated; 1.\n\nThis incident provides further evidence that the operation of a correctly designed and installed sprinkler system installed\, maintained in accordance with the appropriate codes and standards reduces the rate of production of heat and smoke\, allowing more time for the occupants to escape to safety or be rescued. \nA bedroom fire within a 3-storey building was extinguished by the activation of 1 sprinkler head which contained the fire to room of origin\, fire damage limited to item first ignited enquires are ongoing to identify the cause of the fire. \n\n City of London Pub/Wine bar/bar\n\n\nDate of incident; January 2025.\nIncident; Fire.\nAFSS; Sprinklers.\nImpact of AFSS; Extinguished.\nNumber of sprinkler heads operated; 1.\n\nA fire involving a faulty fan heater electrical appliance was extinguished by the activation of 1 sprinkler head which extinguished the fire\, no further firefighting media was required by LFB. \n\n Ealing Other Industrial Plant \n\n\nDate of incident; January 2025.\nIncident; Fire.\nAFSS; Sprinklers.\nImpact of AFSS; Contained and control.\nNumber of sprinkler heads operated; 1.\n\nA fire involving a laundry warehouse was contained/controlled by the activation of 4 sprinkler heads on the first floor before the arrival of LFB. The fire was extinguished by operational crews wearing Breathing Apparatus using a high-pressure hose reel. \nAn area approximately covering two square metres was damaged by fire\, smoke damaged one hundred percent of the upper floor\, there were no reports of any injuries. The fire is believed to have been accidental caused by the self-heating of textiles which often become contaminated with oil\, most commonly linseed massage and cooking oil on tea towels\, tablecloths. \nWhen you compare this to a major blaze reported by the Business Sprinkler Alliance at the K Laundry in Ramsgate in 2024 where the 1\,800m² laundry facility was destroyed in the blaze. The loss of the building will cause major disruption for the established business\, The premises was not sprinkler protected. \nIncidents where sprinklers were present\, not having an impact  \n5x incidents were reported where the sprinkler system did not activate which was due to either: – \n\nInsufficient heat to operate\, activate the sprinkler system.\nThe system was not operational as it had been turned off.\nThe sprinkler system was not in the area where the fire occurred.\n\n11.Kingston Upon Thames Other Entertainment Venue \n\nDate of incident; December 2024.\nIncident; Fire.\nAFSS; Sprinklers.\nImpact of AFSS; N/A\nNumber of sprinkler heads operated\, N/A\n\nA fire involving a white goods appliance\, dishwasher was confined to the item first ignited with limited fire damage reported\, no firefighting action was required with the electrical connection to the appliance disconnected. \nThe premises sprinkler system did not operate which was due to insufficient heat generated by the fire allowing the nearest head to operate. \n12.Southwark Recycling Plant \n\nDate of incident; December 2024.\nIncident; Fire.\nAFSS; Sprinklers.\nImpact of AFSS; N/A.\nNumber of sprinkler heads operated; N/A.\n\nA fire involving an appliance or equipment was extinguished by one main branch/jet with fire spread limited to the room of origin. The premises sprinkler system did not activate as the system was turned off at the time of the fire. \n\n Recycling Plant\n\n\nDate of incident; December 2024.\nIncident; Fire.\nAFSS; Sprinklers.\nImpact of AFSS; N/A.\nNumber of sprinkler heads operated; N/A.\n\nA fire in a canteen microwave was extinguished with a handheld fire extinguisher\, containing the fire to the room of origin. The sprinkler system located on the same floor as the fire did not activate due to insufficient heat from the fire. \n\n City of London Underground car park\n\n\nDate of incident; January 2025.\nIncident; Fire.\nAFSS; Sprinklers.\nImpact of AFSS; N/A.\nNumber of sprinkler heads operated; N/A.\n\nA fire involving batteries/generators within a parking garage was extinguished by the application of a dry powder extinguisher\, fire spread to item first ignited. The premises sprinkler system did not operate as insufficient heat was generated to activate the nearest sprinkler head. \n\n Southwark Restaurant/Cafe\n\n\nDate of incident; January 2025.\nIncident; Fire.\nAFSS; Sprinklers.\nImpact of AFSS; N/A.\nNumber of sprinkler heads operated; N/A.\n\nA kitchen fire involving cooking was extinguished by the application of a handheld fire extinguisher with one person suffering a minor injury The sprinkler system did not operate as the location of the fire was not in an area protected by the system.   \nAdvice For Building Managers\, the following advice is intended for building managers\, individuals who have responsibility for fire safety within a building. It is paramount that fire protection measures in buildings can function effectively in the event of a fire. \nTo achieve this: – \n\nMaintenance\, the premises fire protection measures should be maintained periodically in accordance with the relevant standards and codes\, to ensure they are always operational and available.\nEmergency Plan\, the premises emergency plan should include Information onsite for the Fire Rescue Service to clarify the location and provision of key elements of the active fire safety systems. Allowing a robust onsite emergency response to be actioned to assist with the control of the sprinkler system at the conclusion of the fire incident.\nReinstatement of the Fire Protection Measures\, arrangements should be in place allowing the immediate reinstatement of the sprinkler system. Any delay could compromise the safety of the occupants in the event of a further fire within the building due to the sprinkler system being offline.\n\n Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order\, it is a requirement of the Order for the responsible person to implement the appropriate arrangements for the effective planning\, organisation\, control\, monitoring of the preventive and protective measures. \nFurther detailed guidance on Sprinkler protected buildings can be found in the BAFSA Information file\, A guide for Responsible Persons and Duty Holder \nSources/further reading.  \n\nSprinkler Saves Review 2023/2024\nSprinkler Saves Summer Update No 6\nLFB sprinklers and other types of AFSS\nBAFSA Information file\, A guide for Responsible Persons and Duty Holder\nEfficiency and Effectiveness of Sprinkler Systems in the United Kingdom: An Analysis from Fire Service data in support of this publication a supplementary publication Incidence of Deaths and Injuries in sprinklered buildings was published\nEfficiency and Effectiveness of sprinkler systems in the Uk\nReview of five hospital fires and their management\nBAFSA Information file technical guidance No 3 Using water mist in buildings and structures\nMRW publication\, Ian Cox Waste sites need sprinkler protection\n³Fire data\, an in-depth review of fire-related fatalities and severe casualties in England\, 2010/11 to 2018/19\nBusiness Sprinkler Alliance\, blaze destroys century old Kent laundry\n\nIf you want to make a difference working in the fire sector\, we need your assistance…… \nTo 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. \nIf you hear of a save report it using this link. \n                 \n 
URL:https://www.sprinklersaves.co.uk/saves/lfb-reported-sprinkler-activations-december-2024-january-2025/
LOCATION:Greater London
CATEGORIES:Residential
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.sprinklersaves.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Picture-3.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250211
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250212
DTSTAMP:20260418T093737
CREATED:20250224T082208Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250408T055541Z
UID:10000506-1739232000-1739318399@www.sprinklersaves.co.uk
SUMMARY:Nottinghamshire Student Accommodation Saved By Sprinkler Activation
DESCRIPTION:Credit image Nationwide Fire Sprinklers Ltd\nGroup Manager Chris Emmott\, Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue \n“Sprinklers are one of the most effective methods of fire protection\, offering automatic activation to suppress fires before they spread. \n“We are thankful that this building had a working sprinkler system in place. This could have been a much worse situation\, but thanks to the prompt response from the sprinklers\, we were able to extinguish the fire quickly and keep everyone safe.” \nWhile the sprinkler system helped mitigate the damage\, this incident serves as a reminder of the importance of fire safety in the kitchen. \n “Many families across Nottinghamshire own an air fryer\, so it is crucial that users are aware of the fire risks that may come with it. We are seeing an increase in fires involving air friers\, and we have attended nine in the last ten months\, so we are urging families to use them safely.” \n“Appliances such as air fryers should never be left unattended when in use\, and when using them\, we advise that they are in a ventilated area and not used under a cupboard or overhead cabinet.” \n“Never overfill them\, clean it after every use\, and never plug an air fryer\, or any appliance for that matter\, into an extension lead.” \n“Finally\, I want to remind occupants to never fight a fire themselves – get out\, stay out\, and call 999.” \nIntroduction  \nThe British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association (BAFSA) is the UK’s leading professional trade association for the fire sprinkler industry. Our primary objectives include providing authoritative information on the benefits of fire sprinkler systems and how fire sprinklers can play a significant role in saving life and property from the devastating effects of fire. \nOne way to achieve this is to demonstrate the vital role sprinklers play in fire safety arrangements by highlighting real tangible examples of where they have actuated and in doing so\, saved life and property from fire. The outcome of which will entice others in the housing sector or providing sleeping accommodation to install fire sprinklers as part of a package of fire safety measures reducing the impact of fire on people\, property\, and the environment. \nA sprinkler save is categorised as where one or more sprinkler heads have activated and contained\, controlled or in some cases\, extinguished a building fire. The story around the incident provides powerful evidence of the ability of sprinklers to protect life\, firefighters\, and property from fire. \nThe most recent ¹UK research commissioned by the National Fire Chiefs Council\, National Fire Sprinkler Network and supported by British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association in the publication\, “Efficiency and Effectiveness of Sprinkler Systems in the United Kingdom: An Analysis from Fire Service Data”. Key data revealed that across all premises types: \n\nSprinklers are 99% efficient in extinguishing or controlling a fire.\nSprinklers are 94% efficient in their ability to operate.\n\nThis reported sprinkler activation involving student accommodation supports this evidence. \nOur gratitude to Nottingham Fire Rescue Service\, Nationwide Sprinklers Ltd for rising to the call from the National Fire Chiefs Council to collate\, report sprinkler activations to Sprinkler Saves Uk. The outcome of which will allow a central and comprehensive record of fire incidents where sprinklers played their essential role is suppressing and/or extinguishing the fire. \nDemonstrating the vital role sprinklers play in fire safety arrangements by highlighting real life tangible examples of where they have actuated and in doing so saved life and protected property. The resources will benefit the collective aim of enhancing protection against fire through the increased acceptance and installation of fire sprinklers\, driving a culture of change so they are understood and become a more widespread protection measure across the UK. \nIt cannot be stressed how important active systems such as fire sprinklers are providing effective fire protection requires a balanced approach to the provision of passive and active elements. The use of a combined approach plays a significant role reducing the impact of fire on people\, reduce the risk to firefighters\, property and the environment and increase sustainability. \nBackground \nThis is the fourth reported sprinkler save reported by Nottingham Fire Rescue Service in the past 12 months with 3 of the incidents involving student accommodation. On each occasion the fire was contained/controlled or extinguished by the activation of the sprinkler system providing further evidence that the operation of a correctly designed and installed residential life safety sprinkler system installed\, maintained in accordance with the appropriate codes and standards reduces the rate of production of heat and smoke\, allowing more time for the occupants to escape or be rescued. \nStudent Accommodation  \nThe danger of student accommodation fires cannot be underestimated as this was clearly demonstrated following the fire in Bolton involving the premises known as the ‘Cube’ November 2019. The speed with which the fire took hold and the devastating impact it had on the building was shocking\, sprinklers were not fitted. Student accommodation Is undoubtedly a challenging environment from a fire safety perspective with their own individual challenges. The student’s lifestyle is typically associated with a reduced level of caution when it comes to appreciating risk. \nLondon Fire Brigade reported that over the past 5 years London firefighters have attended more than 1\,200 cooking-related fires and false alarms in university students’ halls involving kitchen activities\, unattended cooking which can escalate into a fire. \nLegislation \nRegulatory guidance for England includes a specific requirement to install sprinklers in purpose group 1a (residential block of flats) with a top floor height of 11 metres above ground level this guidance does not apply to student halls of residence regardless of height. \nEngland’s national building and fire safety regulations trail behind its neighbours\, governments in other UK jurisdictions who have set lower mandatory thresholds for the installation of sprinklers in new purpose-built student accommodation. Following the introduction of new fire regulations within Northern Ireland\, fire sprinklers are now required in within student accommodation with a storey more than 11m above ground level which will come into effect on 6 May 2025 \nIt is the view of British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association (BAFSA) and the National Fire Chiefs Council that sprinklers should be installed in all new student accommodation regardless of height\, as well as existing buildings undergoing refurbishment. The Government should be looking to emulate the policies in the devolved governments to support unitary policy across nations by lowering or removing the acceptable height\, floor area\, or occupancy threshold dependent on building type. \nThe premises/sprinkler system \n\nNottinghamshire Student accommodation (timber framed construction) of 4 floor\nProtected by a life safety residential sprinkler system as part of a package of fire safety measures.\nSpecification\, BS9251:2005\n\nSprinkler head VK457 concealed pendent sprinkler\nWater supply Pump/tank 30-minute suppl\n\n\n\nImage of one of the VK457 concealed sprinkler pendant heads which actuated \n \nThe Incident  \n\nFirefighters were mobilised to a student accommodation block fire.\nOn arrival firefighters established the fire involved an electric air fryer\nExtinguished by the activation of two sprinkler heads located within the open plan communal kitchen.\nThe occupants self-evacuated with one casualty treated on the scene for smoke inhalation.\nThe intensity of the heat from the fire activated a further sprinkler head disengaging the cover plate only.\nFire damage was contained to the air fryer\, kitchen worktop\, cupboard area due to the activation of the sprinkler system which prevented the fire from spreading from the compartment of origin.\n1x Carbon dioxide extinguish was used to extinguish a hot spot located beneath the kitchen cupboard\n\n             \nImages credit Nationwide Sprinklers Ltd\nThis incident provides further evidence that the main functional objectives of a life safety sprinkler system were achieved. \n\nReducing the rate of heat and smoke\, containing and controlling the fire\nReducing the likelihood of a fire spreading beyond the room of origin\nFirefighters operated without due risk to either effect rescue or assist evacuation\nPrevent conflagration\n\nWhen comparing this incident to a similar air fryer kitchen fire in Weymouth in December 2024 where the premises was not sprinkler protected\, the difference is startling\, the kitchen was severely damaged by the fire. \nNo Sprinklers                                                                        Sprinklers \n           \nImage credit Dorset and Wiltshire FRS                                                                 image credit Nationwide Fire Sprinklers Ltd\nThe images reaffirm the benefits of installing a residential life safety sprinkler system for sleeping accommodation preventing the fire from spreading from the compartment of origin. \nPremises Emergency Plan \nIt was refreshing that that the emergency plan for this incident allowed for an immediate emergency response to be actioned by the fire rescue service 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\, due to the knock-on effect this can have on a business or occupancy. \nDebunking the myth that water damage following the actuation of the sprinkler system will be more expensive than the actual damage resulting from the fire. \nThe problem\, post fire sprinkler activations reported where buildings have been identified as affected by water egress following the successful activation of the sprinkler system containing\, controlling or in some cases extinguishing the fire\, predominately due to. \n\nPoor business continuity management\, inadequate onsite emergency planning by the building manager or responsible person for the fire safety arrangements within a building.\nAllowing onsite information to be available for firefighters to interact with the building active fire safety measures namely automatic water fire suppression systems.\n\nThere is now a high probability that firefighters will attend a variety of incidents where sprinklers systems are reported as present and having an impact within these types of buildings. \nReinstatement of the Fire Protection Measures \n\nIt is paramount that fire protection measures in buildings can function effectively in the event of a fire\, to achieve this the premises emergency plan should include that arrangements are in place allowing the immediate reinstatement of the sprinkler system.\nIt is a requirement of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order for the responsible person to implement the appropriate arrangements for the effective planning\, organisation\, control\, monitoring of the preventive and protective measures.\nAny delay could compromise the safety of the occupants in the event of a further fire within the building due to the sprinkler system being offline.\nThe emergency plan\, provisions were in place allowing the sprinkler system to be reinstated at the conclusion of the incident.\n\nConclusion \nThis incident provides further evidence that the main functional objectives of a life safety sprinkler system were achieved \n\nThe occupants were able to leave the building in reasonable safety\nFirefighters can operate without due risk to assist evacuation\, effect rescue when necessary\nPrevent conflagration\n\nAir Fryers \nAre a relatively new cooking appliance being used in our homes\, Aviva insurance have published guidance urging people to exercise caution after a new survey revealed nearly one in five Uk adults (19%) have encountered potential or actual fire hazards in their homes due to air fryers. \nReaffirmed following recent reports of a recent fire involving an air fryer in Bournemouth extinguished by the activation of the premises sprinkler system. The cause of the fire was caused by its owner who set it alight trying a cleaning hack they saw on TikTok. \nFurther research of the incident primary fire data is required to identify a trend on the benefits of sprinklers involving air fryer fires attended by FRS in which sprinklers were present\, having an impact. Due to the limitations of the Incident recording system\, it is not possible to record ‘air fryer’ as an ignition source for fires. \nSources/further reading \n\nSprinkler Saves Review 2023/2024\n¹Efficiency and Effectiveness of Sprinkler Systems in the United Kingdom: An Analysis from Fire Service data \nNFCC AFSS Position Statement\nDorset and Wiltshire FRS kitchen air fryer fire\nLFB Press release 1200 Cooking related fires and false alarms in student accommodation\nBBC TikTok air fryer ‘hack’ blamed for fire\nAviva issues fire warning around air fryer habits\nNFRS Press Release\n\nIf you want to make a difference working in the fire sector\, we need your assistance…… \nTo 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. \nIf you hear of a save report it using this link. \n       
URL:https://www.sprinklersaves.co.uk/saves/nottinghamshire-student-accommodation-saved-by-sprinkler-activation/
LOCATION:Nottinghamshire
CATEGORIES:Residential
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.sprinklersaves.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/5d07fa9e-a3d9-417e-b0ec-502cae20fdb1.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250202T000000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250202T120000
DTSTAMP:20260418T093737
CREATED:20250210T093353Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250224T082233Z
UID:10000499-1738454400-1738497600@www.sprinklersaves.co.uk
SUMMARY:Fleet Residential Electrical Cupboard Sprinkler Activation
DESCRIPTION:Credit Image Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service \nIntroduction \nThe British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association (BAFSA) is the UK’s leading professional trade association for the fire sprinkler industry. Our primary objectives include providing authoritative information on the benefits of fire sprinkler systems and how fire sprinklers can play a significant role in saving life and property from the devastating effects of fire. \nOne way to achieve this is to demonstrate the vital role sprinklers play in fire safety arrangements by highlighting real tangible examples of where they have actuated and in doing so\, saved life and property from fire. The outcome of which will entice others in the housing sector or providing sleeping accommodation to install fire sprinklers as part of a package of fire safety measures reducing the impact of fire on people\, property\, and the environment. \nA sprinkler save is categorised as where one or more sprinkler heads have activated and contained\, controlled or in some cases\, extinguished a building fire. The story around the incident provides powerful evidence of the ability of sprinklers to protect life\, firefighters\, and property from fire. \nThe most recent ¹UK research commissioned by the National Fire Chiefs Council\, National Fire Sprinkler Network and supported by British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association in the publication\, “Efficiency and Effectiveness of Sprinkler Systems in the United Kingdom: An Analysis from Fire Service Data”. Key data revealed that across all premises types: \n\nSprinklers are 99% efficient in extinguishing or controlling a fire.\nSprinklers are 94% efficient in their ability to operate.\n\n \nThis post fire review supports this evidence. \nOur gratitude to Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service for rising the call from the National Fire Chiefs Council to collate\, report sprinkler activations to Sprinkler Saves Uk. The outcome of which will allow a central and comprehensive record of fire incidents where sprinklers played their essential role is suppressing and/or extinguishing the fire. \nThe resources will benefit the collective aim of enhancing protection against fire through the increased acceptance and installation of fire sprinklers\, driving a culture of change so they are understood and become a more widespread protection measure across the UK. \nIt cannot be stressed how important active systems such as fire sprinklers are. Providing effective fire protection requires a balanced approach to the provision of passive and active elements. The use of a combined approach plays a significant role reducing the impact of fire on people\, reduce the risk to firefighters\, property and the environment and increase sustainability. \n The Premises\, low rise residential block of flats of 4 floors containing 22 flats. \nDescription of incident  \nA small fire within a flat electrical cupboard contained\, controlled by the provision of both the passive and active fire safety measures playing a combined approach\, completing the roles of one another. The electrical cupboard fire door was in the closed position at the time of the incident which prevented the fire from spreading from the compartment of origin compromising the means of escape. One concealed sprinkler head located within the cupboard activated which extinguished the fire before the arrival of the emergency services. \nThe images of the incident clearly demonstrate the benefits of sprinklers as a life safety system. \n        \nCredit images Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service \nKey Facts  \n\nThe fire was extinguished\, controlled within the compartment of origin\, no direct fire damage reported within the dwelling.\nThe activation of the sprinkler system reduced the heat output from the fire by reducing its growth\, allowing more time for the occupants to escape to safety or be rescued.\nNo further firefighting media was required by the emergency services\nThe sprinkler system provided vital protection for the residents dwelling\, belongings\, personal processions.\nNo injuries were reported.\n\nDebunking the myths: – When one sprinkler activates\, they all activate. Fact\, only the sprinkler head(s) directly affected by the fire is activated. \n When you compare this incident to a similar electrical flat cupboard fire in London in May 2021 involving a residential tall building where sprinklers were not installed the outcome was far different.  The fire spread from the compartment of origin on the eight-floor resulting in a 20-pump fire  \n\nFire spread to the exterior of the building affecting balconies directly above\nFlat of origin 80% damaged by fire\n67 residents’ self-evacuated prior to arrival of the FRS\nMajor incident declared mass evacuation of the block implemented\n22 smoke hoods used to rescue residents\n34 residents rescued\n\nFurther details on the incident can be found in. the LFB\, New Providence Wharf fire report. \n\n  This review provides further evidence that a correctly designed and installed life safety sprinkler system. \n\n\nCan detect and control a fire at an early stage of development and activate an alarm.\nOperation of the system rapidly reduces the rate of production of heat and smoke\, allowing more time for the occupants to escape to safety or be rescued.\nAssist firefighters in carrying out search and rescue operations by limiting fire development\, which significantly reduces the risk to firefighters.\n\nThe provision of a sprinkler system does not neglect the need for other fire practical precautions or provisions where the person is at higher-than-average risk from fire\, unable to self-evacuate in the event of a fire. \nThe following advice is intended for building managers\, individuals who have responsibility for fire safety within a building. \nPremises Emergency Plan \nThe problem\, post fire sprinkler activations reported where buildings have been identified as affected by water egress following the successful activation of the sprinkler system containing\, controlling or in some cases extinguishing the fire\, predominately due to. \n\nPoor business continuity management\, inadequate onsite emergency planning by the building manager or responsible person for the fire safety arrangements within a building.\nAllowing onsite information to be available for firefighters to interact with the building active fire safety measures namely automatic water fire suppression systems.\n\nThere is now a high probability that firefighters will attend a variety of incidents where sprinklers systems are reported as present and having an impact within these types of buildings. \nThe provision of a robust emergency plan will allow an immediate emergency response to be actioned by the fire rescue service 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\, due to the knock-on effect this can have on a business or occupancy \nDebunking the myth that water damage following the actuation of the sprinkler system will be more expensive than the actual damage resulting from the fire. \nLinks/sources \n\n¹Efficiency and Effectiveness of Sprinkler Systems in the United Kingdom: An Analysis from Fire Service data In support of this publication a supplementary publication Incidence of Deaths and Injuries in sprinklered buildings was published\nSprinkler Saves Review 2023/2024\nSprinkler Saves Winter Update No 6\nHampshire& Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service press release\nLFB\, New Providence Wharf report\nBAFSA Information file\, a guide for responsible persons and duty holder\n\nIf you want to make a difference working in the fire sector\, we need your assistance…… \nTo make sprinklers the norm and not the exception – we need the evidence. Encouraging the FRS 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. \nIf you hear of a save report it using this link \n         
URL:https://www.sprinklersaves.co.uk/saves/fleet-residential-electrical-cupboard-sprinkler-activation/
LOCATION:Fleet
CATEGORIES:Residential
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.sprinklersaves.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/20250201_171238-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250201T080000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250228T170000
DTSTAMP:20260418T093737
CREATED:20250408T055449Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250509T070804Z
UID:10000510-1738396800-1740762000@www.sprinklersaves.co.uk
SUMMARY:Devon Residential Tall Building Kitchen Saved By Sprinkler System
DESCRIPTION:Julia Aylott\, Devon & Somerset Fire Rescue Service Fire Safety Manager  \n\n\n“This is another good example of where retrofitting a sprinkler system into a higher risk building (HRB) gives many benefits.  As a Regulator\, Fire Rescue Services are uncovering more and more building defects within HRBs in our communities. Automatic fire suppression systems as part of a package of fire safety measures are the focus of remediation due to the benefits they provide\, saving lives\, reducing injuries protecting firefighters.” \n\n\nSummary \n\nOur thanks to Devon & Somerset Fire Rescue Service (DSFRS) and Plymouth Community Homes (PCH) for reporting this positive news story reaffirming the importance of reporting sprinkler saves to Sprinkler Saves UK following a small kitchen fire within a residential purpose-built block of flats extinguished by the operation of the premises residential sprinkler system. \nA sprinkler save is categorised as where one or more sprinkler heads have activated and contained\, controlled or in some cases\, extinguished a building fire. Each of these real-life individual tangible stories provides powerful evidence of the ability of sprinklers as part of an appropriate package of fire safety measures. \n\nReducing the impact of fire on people\, property and the environment\, reducing the risks to firefighters.\nAddressing the myths\, misconceptions regarding their safety and efficiency\, providing evidence of the ability of sprinklers to protect our communities from fire.\n\nFor this reported fire\, the benefits of \n\nRetrofitting a residential sprinkler system within the dwellings\, common ways of a single staircase purpose-built block of flats of 16 storeys.\nPreventing a potential major protracted incident\, which can lead to a significant strain on the operational resilience of Fire Rescue Service (FRS) resources\, leading to challenges maintaining a business-as-usual service.\n\n\nThe decision by PCH to  retrofit  life safety sprinkler systems within their residential tall building property portfolio was demonstrated following reports of an accidental kitchen flat fire involving a freestanding electric cooker/hob which was accidentally switched on setting light to household items which had been left on top of the hob\, no persons were present in the dwelling at the time of the fire with no injuries reported. \n\nThe heat generated from the fire\, activated 1 sidewall sprinkler head within the kitchen which immediately allowed a fire signal to be transmitted to the remote alarm receiving centre allowing the appropriate emergency response from DSFRS.The operation of the sprinkler system restricted the growth of the fire\, extinguishing the fire before the arrival of DSFRS. \nProviding 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\, National Fire Sprinkler Network into the performance\, reliability\, and effectiveness of sprinkler systems in controlling and extinguishing fires \nThe reports found that: \n\nSprinklers are 99% efficient in extinguishing or controlling a fire.\nSprinklers are 94% efficient in their ability to operate.\n\nThe provision of a sprinkler system does not neglect the need for other fire practical precautions or provisions where the person is at higher-than-average risk from fire\, unable to self-evacuate in the event of a fire. \n The Incident \n\nFire crews were mobilised to a confirmed fire following an emergency call received from PCH remote alarm receiving centre\, resulting in a high rise pre-determined attendance mobilised by DSFRS fire control.\nFollowing the completion of a dynamic risk assessment by the incident commander (IC) on arrival\, it was established that the building fire alarm indicator panel located on the ground floor foyer had activated\, confirming the operation of the premises sprinkler system on the 15 floor of the 16-storey building.\nThe provision of the sprinkler system provided extra time for the IC to implement a robust operational high rise tactical plan for the incident.\nUpon entry to the flat\, fire crews established that a fire within a kitchen had been contained\, controlled and extinguished by the activation of 1 sidewall sprinkler head located within the room of origin.\nMinimal fire/smoke damage was reported within the compartment of origin.\nFire damage was confined to the household items located on the hob at the time of the fire.\nNo further firefighting media was required by DSFRS.\nThe sprinkler system for the individual flat was isolated by DSFRS following confirmation to the IC that the fire was all out.\nNo injuries were reported.\n\nImage of the activated sidewall kitchen sprinkler head \n \nThe danger of fires within the kitchen was demonstrated following a recent fire in Weymouth involving an electric air fryer\, the kitchen was severely damaged by the fire as the premises was not protected by a sprinklers system \n  \nImage credit Dorset and Wiltshire FRS\nResidential Sprinkler Specification \n\nInstalled to BS9251:2014\nCategory 3 system enhanced to provide a 60-minute minimum duration of supply\nWater supplies designated tank\nCoverage\, flats and communal areas\nIsolation valves installed for each dwelling/floor\nResilience: Back up pump\, UPS back up power supply\n\nObservations \nDFRS maintaining a business-as-usual service \nAusterity\, cuts in public funding across the country have significantly impacted FRS resulting in a significant reduction to front line cover and prevention and protection activities putting a strain on resources impacting on public safety and service delivery. \nMajor protracted fire incidents therefore have a knock-on effect on local FRS resources\, leading to challenges maintaining a business-as-usual service allowing an effective response to attend other emergencies. The benefits of installing sprinkler systems in the built environment for FRS should not be underestimated. \n\nReduces the rate of production of heat and smoke\, limiting fire development preventing flash over.\n\nProviding the FRS. \n\nWith a further layer pf protection for firefighters allowing search\, rescue operations to be completed\nCrucial time for the operational tactical plan to be implemented by the IC\nThe facility to release resources earlier from the incident\, to attend other emergency incidents allowing a business-as-usual service to be maintained.\n\nFor FRS such as DSFRS\, the early release of resources is paramount as it only has two wholetime stations and 10 stations with both wholetime and on call crews with 69 on call stations. For this incident DSFRS\, required 18 resources which included 40 firefighters/officers to be mobilised as part of the predetermined attendance for a high-rise fire. \nDue to the positive impact following the operation of the sprinkler system\, the incident was scaled down by the IC\, allowing the early release of multiple resources to be available for other emergencies. \nPremises Emergency Plan \nThe problem\, post fire sprinkler saves reported where buildings have been identified as affected by water egress following the successful activation of the sprinkler system containing\, controlling or in some cases extinguishing the fire\, predominately due to. \n\nPoor business continuity management\, inadequate onsite emergency planning by the building manager or responsible person for the fire safety arrangements within a building.\nAllowing onsite information to be available for firefighters to interact with the building active fire safety measures namely automatic water fire suppression systems.\n\nThere is now a high probability that firefighters will attend a variety of incidents where sprinklers systems are reported as present and having an impact within these types of buildings. \nThe provision of a robust emergency plan will allow an immediate emergency response to be actioned by the FRS 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\, due to the knock-on effect this can have on a business or occupancy. Debunking the myth that water damage following the actuation of the sprinkler system will be more expensive than the actual damage resulting from the fire. \nBenefits of Joint Working  \nPCH should be acknowledged for having the forefront to focus on business continuity management. Joint familiarisation visits completed with DSFRS allowing the appropriate information for the IC to plan and respond to an incident within a high-rise building. The outcome of which allowed the location and provision of the sprinkler system to be identified allowing a robust onsite emergency response to be actioned on arrival. \nRetrofitting Sprinkler systems within tall residential buildings \nAt present there is no statutory legislation for the retrofitting of sprinklers within residential tall buildings. This incident demonstrates the benefits of installing\, retrofitting sprinklers within residential tall buildings\, demonstrating that a correctly designed and installed sprinkler system can detect\, raise the alarm and control or for this incident extinguish the fire at an early stage of development. In addition to providing attending crews with confidence when attending tall building fires which are sprinkler protected compared to other buildings which are not sprinkler protected. \nSources/further reading.  \n\nSprinkler Saves Review 2023/2024\nSprinkler saves Spring Update No 7\nBAFSA Information file\, A guide for Responsible Persons and Duty Holder\n¹Efficiency and Effectiveness of sprinkler systems in the Uk\nDSFRS Sprinklers\n\nIf you want to make a difference working in the fire sector\, we need your assistance…… \nTo 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. \nIf you hear of a save report it using this link. \n             \n\n 
URL:https://www.sprinklersaves.co.uk/saves/devon-residential-tall-building-kitchen-saved-by-sprinkler-system/
LOCATION:Devon
CATEGORIES:Residential
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.sprinklersaves.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Screenshot-2025-04-04-at-11.26.08.png
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250101
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250501
DTSTAMP:20260418T093737
CREATED:20250603T083956Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250731T152933Z
UID:10000513-1735689600-1746057599@www.sprinklersaves.co.uk
SUMMARY:West Midlands Fire Service Sprinkler Activations January-April 2025
DESCRIPTION:Introduction \nSix incidents have been reported by West Midlands Fire Service (WMFS) where sprinklers were present\, having an impact for the above-mentioned period. Raising awareness of how the destructive effects of fire can be mitigated\, and in most cases\, be prevented through the enhanced use of sprinklers\, and other forms of Automatic Water Suppression Systems (AWSS) which save lives\, protect firefighters\, homes and businesses as part of an appropriate package of fire safety measures. \nEmbracing the call from the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) who actively encourage fire services to collate\, promote case studies to Sprinkler Saves UK to promote the effectiveness of sprinklers in operating and controlling and in some cases extinguishing the fire. The outcome of which will continue to promote a better understanding of the benefits of AFSS in the wider community\, fire safety sector in general as an effective and reliable fire protection measure as part of a package of fire safety measures protecting life and property from fire. \nProviding further evidence as part of our campaign driving change so AWSS are understood and accepted as the norm and not the exception\, the outcome of which will. \n\nInfluence policy makers to strengthen AWSS requirements\, England’s sprinkler fire safety regulations trail behind its neighbours.\nGovernments in other UK jurisdictions have set lower mandatory thresholds for the installation of sprinklers.\nEntice housing provider stakeholders and\, others to install sprinklers as part of a package of fire safety measures providing a further layer of protection from fire for our communities.\n\nWest Midlands Fire Service¹ \nIs the second largest in England\, operates 38 stations and various emergency response vehicles staffed by more than 1\,350 firefighters and officers. In 2023\, it responded to 30\,000 incidents. \nActively promotes the installation of AWSS in high-risk areas. \nRegulatory and sector changes relating to fire safety have occurred since the Grenfell tower fire. One such change has been the increase of sprinkler installations across the country with housing providers\, local authorities and developers committing to install sprinklers in purpose-built block of flats on a new and retrofit basis. In 2017\, Birmingham City Council (BCC) decided to retrofit fire sprinklers in 213 purpose-built blocks of flats to enhance resident safety. Previously\, they had installed sprinklers in all communal bin areas of their residential tower blocks. \nKey fact \n\nSix incidents were reported. In five cases\, the sprinkler system extinguished the fire upon activation\, and in the remaining case\, the activation contained and controlled the fire.\n\n \nProviding further evidence of the reliability and effectiveness of AWSS\, supporting the UK research² which was commissioned by the NFCC\, National Fire Sprinkler Network and supported by British Automatic Sprinkler Association. (BAFSA) \nThe report found that: \n\nSprinklers are 99% efficient in extinguishing or controlling a fire.\nSprinklers are 94% efficient in their ability to operate.\n\nIncidents AWSS were reported as present\, having an impact \n Key facts \n\nFour incidents involved purpose-built flats that had been retrofitted with a sprinkler system as part of the Birmingham City Council sprinkler projects.\nThese incidents were either contained\, controlled\, or extinguished.\n\nProviding further evidence that the main functional objectives of a life safety system were achieved. \n\nReducing the rate of heat and smoke\, containing and controlling or even extinguishing the fire.\nReducing the likelihood of a fire spreading beyond the room of origin.\nFirefighters completing operational duties without due risk to either effect rescue or assist evacuation.\nPrevent conflagration.\nAllowing the business-as-usual service to be maintained within WMFS by reducing the impact of major fire incidents allowing the release of resources to provide an effective response to attend other emergencies\n\n\nPurpose Built Flats/Maisonettes – 10 or more storeys\n\n\nDate of Incident; 6 January 2025\nIncident; Fire.\nLocation of fire; Living room\nAFSS; Sprinklers.\nImpact of AFSS; Extinguished\n\nA sprinkler system extinguished a sofa fire in a 10th-floor flat of a 20-storey building containing the fire to the initial item ignited. The resident self-evacuate before the arrival of WMFS. \n       2/3. Purpose built Flats/Maisonettes 4-9 storeys \n\nDate of Incident(s); 17 January/6 March 2025\nIncident; Fire.\nLocation of fire(s); Refuse/bin store\nAFSS; Sprinklers.\nImpact of AFSS; Contained/controlled/extinguished\n\nTwo refuse bin chute room fires were contained\, controlled\, or extinguished by the premises sprinkler system requiring minimal intervention by the fire service. \nThe risk of refuse/bin store fires should not be underestimated\, these fires can significantly impact resident safety\, especially where bin chutes open onto protected corridors\, lobbies\, and stairs\, increasing the risk of fire and smoke spreading to common escape routes. \nData from Fire Rescue services for 2018/19 to 2023/24 shows the impact of these fires in purpose-built block of flats in England\, Scotland\, and Wales where AWSS were present\, having an impact. \nIt was identified that. \n\nRefuse/bin stores recorded the highest number of incidents with 327 activations.\nWhat cannot be defined by the data is whether the installation of AWSS within buildings is limited to these refuse/bin stores alone or extended to the occupied flat areas.\n\n \nAnalysis of the data reveals that of the 327 refuse store fires where sprinklers were present having an impact\, WMFS dominated the figures with 157 which should be of no surprise following the decision by BCC to install sprinklers in all communal bin areas of their residential tower blocks. \n \nWhat the data is unable to confirm is the rationale behind why a small majority of AWSS fire incidents were identified as not containing/controlling the fire or recorded as unknown. Further interrogation of the IRS data fields would be required to explore this anomaly. \n\n Commercial Fire\n\n\nDate of Incident; 22 February 2025\nIncident; Fire.\nLocation of fire; Kitchen\nAFSS; Sprinklers.\nImpact of AFSS; Extinguished\n\nA fire in an electrical deep fat fryer was extinguished by the sprinkler system. Fixed firefighting systems have proven to protect property\, business\, and jobs\, allowing the impacted business to resume operations within hours and avoid economic and social costs. \nTypically\, in commercial kitchens fixed firefighting systems such as wet chemical systems are used for object protection\, kitchen areas\, fryers\, oil cookers etc and not used for area wide protection of a building. \nThe benefit of installing wet chemicals is that they provide excellent flame knockdown and surface cooling the scope of kitchen protection should include all appliances that are capable of catching fire and not just the deep fat fryers\, protection should cover ventilated ceilings/hoods\, plenums and duct entrances and should be activated simultaneously. \n\n Purpose built Flats/Maisonettes 4-9 storeys\n\n\nDate of Incident; 18 April 2025\nIncident; Fire.\nLocation of fire; Bedroom\nAFSS; Sprinklers.\nImpact of AFSS; Extinguished\n\nA fire involving a mattress and bedding was contained by the residential sprinkler system. The flat’s occupants evacuated safely before WMFS arrived\, and no injuries were reported. Smoking materials was the likely cause of the fire. \nThe benefit of sprinklers should not be underestimated\, the image of a similar bedroom fire reported by South Yorkshire Fire Service (SYFS) speaks a thousand words. \nThe fire was extinguished before the arrival of SYFR by the activation of 1 residential sprinkler head within the flat. No further firefighting media were required from SYFR\, and no injuries were reported. \n \nImage credit SYFS\n\n Student halls of residence\n\n\nDate of Incident; 22 April 2025\nIncident; Fire.\nLocation of fire; Kitchen\nAFSS; Sprinklers.\nImpact of AFSS; Extinguished\n\nA cooking pan kitchen fire within a flat on the 12th floor of a 17-storey building was extinguished by the residential sprinkler system with fire damage to the item first ignited. No further interaction by the fire service was required. \nIt is no surprise that kitchen fires accounted for the highest number of fires following the findings identified by London Fire Brigade³ for cooking related fires for this occupancy who reported that over the past 5 years London firefighters have attended more than 1\,200 cooking-related fires and false alarms in university students’ halls involving kitchen activities\, People living in rented or shared accommodation are seven times more likely to have a fire involving unattended cooking. \nThe benefits of installing sprinklers for this type of occupancy was reinforced following three fires reported to Sprinkler Saves UK by Nottinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service (NFRS) within the space of 12 months which were either cooking related or involved incense candles. On each occasion the fire was contained\, controlled or extinguished by the sprinkler system\, demonstrating the benefits of sprinklers. \nNottingham Kitchen fire involving an electric air fryer \n \nPremises Emergency Plan \nThe problem\, post fire sprinkler activations reported where buildings have been identified as affected by water egress following the successful activation of the sprinkler system containing\, controlling or in some cases extinguishing the fire\, predominately due to. \n\nPoor business continuity management\, inadequate onsite emergency planning by the building manager or responsible person for the fire safety arrangements within a building.\nAllowing onsite information to be available for firefighters to interact with the building active fire safety measures namely AWSS.\n\nThere is now a high probability that firefighters will attend a variety of incidents where sprinklers systems are reported as present and having an impact within these types of buildings. \nThe provision of a robust emergency plan will allow an immediate emergency response to be actioned by the fire rescue service 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\, due to the knock-on effect this can have on a business or occupancy. Debunking the myth that water damage following the actuation of the sprinkler system will be more expensive than the actual damage resulting from the fire. \nFurther detailed guidance on Sprinkler protected buildings can be found in the BAFSA Information file\, A guide for Responsible Persons and Duty Holder \nConclusion \nThis collection of incidents highlights the benefits of AWSS\, within the community and fire safety sector as an effective\, reliable fire protection measure for safeguarding life and property as part of a package of fire safety measures. Demonstrating that the functional objectives of a life safety sprinkler system were achieved. \n\nReducing the rate of heat and smoke\, containing and controlling the fire\nReducing the likelihood of a fire spreading beyond the room of origin\nFirefighters operated without due risk to either effect rescue or assist evacuation\nPrevent conflagration\nAllowing the business-as-usual service to be maintained by reducing the impact of major fire incidents allowing the release of resources to provide an effective response to attend other emergencies\n\nSources/further reading.  \n\nSprinkler Saves Review 2023/2024\nSprinkler Saves Spring Update No 7 \nBAFSA Information file\, A guide for Responsible Persons and Duty Holder\nEfficiency and Effectiveness of Sprinkler Systems in The United Kingdom: An Analysis From Fire Service Data\nEfficiency and Effectiveness of Sprinkler Systems in the United Kingdom: An Analysis from Fire Service data in support of this publication a supplementary publication Incidence of Deaths and Injuries in sprinklered buildings was published\n\n  \n\n¹Source WMFS Community Risk Management Plan (CRMP)\n²Efficiency and Effectiveness of Sprinkler Systems in the United Kingdom: An Analysis from Fire Service Data – Optimal Economics 2017\n³Source LFB press release Cooking related fires in London student halls
URL:https://www.sprinklersaves.co.uk/saves/west-midlands-fire-service-sprinkler-activations-january-april-2025/
LOCATION:West Midlands
CATEGORIES:Residential
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.sprinklersaves.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Picture-3.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20241201
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250101
DTSTAMP:20260418T093737
CREATED:20250109T141454Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250509T070836Z
UID:10000494-1733011200-1735689599@www.sprinklersaves.co.uk
SUMMARY:Wales Extra Care Housing Sprinkler Save
DESCRIPTION:Summary \nThis incident clearly identifies why the English government should be looking to install sprinklers into all new specialised and supported housing\, if it was not for the decision taken by the National Assembly for Wales passing new regulations in October 2013 that require a fire sprinkler system to be installed in registered group homes and sheltered housing we could be discussing a different outcome for this incident. \nThe demographic change in specialised and supported housing population has resulted in an increase in the occurrence of mobility difficulties\, reduced sensory capability and cognitive difficulties\, all of which bring greater risk from fire\, in terms of likelihood of fire and vulnerability in the event of a fire. \nThe study analysis of national ¹fire data\, an in-depth review of fire-related fatalities and severe casualties in England\, 2010/11 to 2018/19 referenced that while there is a lack of recent research on fatal fires\, the available studies consistently identified age\, the presence of an impairment such as physical disability\, smoking\, and alcohol use as key factors on the outcome of the fire\, as they will be less able to respond to a fire. \nMid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service reported that a fire within an Extra Care Housing Scheme was successfully contained\, controlled following the activation of 1 concealed sprinkler head within a flat following a fire involving an electric toaster. The sprinkler system contained and controlled the fire allowing the resident to be rescued from their property by firefighters. \nIt should be remembered the installation of a life safety sprinkler system is to reduce the rate of heat and smoke\, allowing more time for the occupants to escape to safety or be rescued\, The provision of a sprinkler system does not neglect the need for other fire practical precautions or provisions where the person is at higher-than-average risk from fire\, unable to self-evacuate in the event of a fire \nFire protection is dependent on both passive and active fire systems such as sprinklers working in unison providing a further layer of safety from fire as part of a package of fire safety measures\, in reducing the impact of fire on people\, firefighters\, property and the environment. \nThis incident provides further evidence that the main functional objectives of a life safety sprinkler system were achieved. \n\nReducing the rate of heat and smoke\, containing and controlling the fire\nReducing the likelihood of a fire spreading beyond the room of origin\nFirefighters operated without due risk to either effect rescue or assist evacuation\nPrevent conflagration\n\nAdding further weight to the reliability and effectiveness of sprinkler systems following the two recent reports conducted ²Optimal Economics\, and commissioned by the National Fire Chiefs Council\, National Fire Sprinkler Network into the performance\, reliability\, and effectiveness of sprinkler systems in controlling and extinguishing fires. \nThe reports found that: \n\nSprinklers are 99% efficient in extinguishing or controlling a fire.\nSprinklers are 94% efficient in their ability to operate.\n\nThe British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association has welcomed the recent announcement that sprinklers will be made mandatory in all new residential care homes within England regardless of height from March 2025\, but would urge government to make the provision of sprinklers into all new specialised and supported housing mandatory. \nThe Incident  \n\nDate of incident; December 2024.\nIncident; Fire.\nAddress; Wales\nOccupancy: Purpose-Specialised Housing (Extra -Care)\nLocation of fire; Living room.\nImpact of AFSS; Contained/controlled.\nNumber of sprinkler heads operated; 1.\n\nSummary of Incident  \n\nFire crews were mobilised to reports of a confirmed fire following an emergency call received from a remote monitoring telecare provider.\nOn arrival the incident commander established that the seat of the fire was within a flat\nUpon entry\, firefighters wearing breathing apparatus established that\n\n\n1 Concealed pendent sprinkler head had activated within the room of origin\, containing/controlling the fire.\nLight smoke staining\, fire/heat damage was sustained to the area in vicinity of the seat of the fire where the electric toaster was located\n\n\nFirefighting media\, 1 hose reel jet was used to extinguish remaining hot spots\nThe resident was rescued by fire crews with no injuries reported requiring only a precautionary check.\nIn accordance with the premises emergency plan “Stay Put” only the flat of origin required to be evacuated.\nThe evacuation strategy for this type of occupancy is such that only those at immediate risk need to escape those in the flat of origin\, but those remote and unaffected by the fire can remain in their flats.\nOnsite information was available allowing firefighters to assist in the management of water from the activation of the sprinkler system allowing the isolation of the sprinkler isolation valve.\nThe emergency plan allowed the sprinkler system to be reinstated\, operational on the same day as the fire by the sprinkler contractor.\nMajor protracted incident everted allowing FRS resources to be released\, redeployed to attend emergency incidents.\n\nThe following advice is intended for building managers\, individuals who have responsibility for fire safety within a building. \nPremises Emergency Plan \nThe problem\, post fire sprinkler activations reported where buildings have been identified as affected by water egress following the successful activation of the sprinkler system containing\, controlling or in some cases extinguishing the fire\, predominately due to. \n\nPoor business continuity management\, inadequate onsite emergency planning by the building manager or responsible person for the fire safety arrangements within a building.\nAllowing onsite information to be available for firefighters to interact with the building active fire safety measures namely automatic water fire suppression systems.\n\nThere is now a high probability that firefighters will attend a variety of incidents where sprinklers systems are reported as present and having an impact within these types of buildings. \nThe provision of a robust emergency plan will allow an immediate emergency response to be actioned by the fire rescue service 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\, due to the knock-on effect this can have on a business or occupancy \nDebunking the myth that water damage following the actuation of the sprinkler system will be more expensive than the actual damage resulting from the fire. \nReinstatement of the Fire Protection Measures \n\nIt is paramount that fire protection measures in buildings can function effectively in the event of a fire. To achieve this the premises emergency plan should include that arrangements are in place allowing the immediate reinstatement of the sprinkler system.\nIt is a requirement of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order for the responsible person to implement the appropriate arrangements for the effective planning\, organisation\, control\, monitoring of the preventive and protective measures.\nAny delay could compromise the safety of the occupants in the event of a further fire within the building due to the sprinkler system being offline.\n\nFurther detailed guidance on Sprinkler protected buildings can be found in the BAFSA Information file\, A guide for Responsible Persons and Duty Holder. \nSources/further reading.  \n\nSprinkler Saves Review 2023/2024\nSprinkler Saves Summer Update No 6\n¹An in-depth review of fire-related fatalities and severe casualties in England\, 2010 to 2018/19\n²Efficiency and Effectiveness of Sprinkler Systems in the United Kingdom: An Analysis from Fire Service data \nBAFSA Information file\, A guide for Responsible Persons and Duty Holder.\nMid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service Sprinklers\nEssex County Fire and Rescue Service facebook\, Sheltered Housing fire 23 October 2023\n\nIf you want to make a difference working in the fire sector\, we need your assistance…… \nTo 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. \nIf you hear of a save report it using this link. \nCredit to Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service for reporting this incident allowing the benefits of sprinklers to be reported to a wider audience raising awareness of the good work that sprinklers do and help in our continued campaign to lobby government to introduce tougher sprinkler rules making the installation and retrofitting of sprinklers mandatory in all buildings we are particularly concerned about: \n\nBuildings housing vulnerable residents\nResidential buildings\nSchools\nCarparks\nStorage and warehouses\nHospitals\n\n         
URL:https://www.sprinklersaves.co.uk/saves/welsh-extra-care-housing-sprinkler-save/
LOCATION:Mid Wales
CATEGORIES:Residential
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.sprinklersaves.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screenshot-2024-12-30-at-17.09.31.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20241201
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250101
DTSTAMP:20260418T093737
CREATED:20250106T140300Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250106T140300Z
UID:10000496-1733011200-1735689599@www.sprinklersaves.co.uk
SUMMARY:Gloucestershire Lithium Battery HMO Sprinkler Save
DESCRIPTION:Obi Selassie\, GFRS Station Manager “If it was not for the activation of the sprinkler system extinguishing the fire before the arrival of the fire service\, we could be discussing a different outcome for this incident\, The benefits of sprinklers should not be underestimated they save lives and reduce injuries\, protect firefighters.” \n Summary \nGloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service (GFRS) have reported that a fire at a house of multi occupancy (HMO) in December 2024 was successfully extinguished by the activation of the premises residential sprinkler system\, believed to have been caused by the failure of a e-bike lithium battery which was on charge within a ground floor studio flat with no injuries reported. \nLithium battery fires can spread quickly out of control developing into large fires within a short period of time. If it was not for the foresight of the landlord to retrofit a residential sprinkler system as part of a package of fire safety measures the outcome of this incident could have been so different. HMO accommodation is undoubtedly a challenging environment from a fire safety perspective with their own individual challenges when a property is let to multiple individual tenants due to the higher fire risk. \nA similar incident reported by London Fire Brigade (LFB) resulted in a e-bike battery explosion which destroyed a family home days before Christmas identifying the catastrophic consequences that can occur if e-bikes and e-scooters are not charged or stored safely\, sprinklers were not installed. \nFootage from a doorbell camera captures how quickly the property became engulfed in fire\, three people were inside the house when the e-bike battery burst into flames on the first floor. One person escaped unharmed through the front door\, but two others in a converted loft were forced to climb through a skylight on to the roof. One male fell from the roof and suffered serious injuries\, while a woman slipped but was caught by a firefighter and later treated for smoke inhalation. \n \nThe growing risk of e-bike and e-scooter involving lithium battery fires should not be underestimated which can develop into significant and unstoppable runaway fires. \nIt should be remembered the installation of a life safety sprinkler system is to reduce the rate of heat and smoke\, allowing more time for the occupants to escape to safety or be rescued. \nFire protection is dependent on both passive and active fire systems such as sprinklers working in unison providing a further layer of safety from fire as part of a package of fire safety measures\, in reducing the impact of fire on people\, firefighters\, property and the environment. \nFurther guidance on suppression and extinguishing can be found in the Fire Industry Association Guidance Note on Lithium-Ion battery fires\, which references that sprinkler protection of lithium-ion batteries is outside the scope of current sprinkler design standards\, specialist standards are being developed such as NPFA 855. \nThis incident provides further evidence that the main functional objectives of a life safety sprinkler system were achieved. \n\nReducing the rate of heat and smoke\, containing and controlling the fire\nReducing the likelihood of a fire spreading beyond the room of origin\nFirefighters operated without due risk to either effect rescue or assist evacuation\nPrevent conflagration\n\nAdding further weight to the reliability and effectiveness of sprinkler systems following the two recent reports conducted ¹Optimal Economics\, and commissioned by the National Fire Chiefs Council\, National Fire Sprinkler Network into the performance\, reliability\, and effectiveness of sprinkler systems in controlling and extinguishing fires. \nThe reports found that: \n\nSprinklers are 99% efficient in extinguishing or controlling a fire.\nSprinklers are 94% efficient in their ability to operate.\n\nThe Incident  \n\nDate of incident; December 2024.\nIncident; Fire.\nAddress; Gloucestershire\nOccupancy: House of multi occupancy\nLocation of fire; Bedsit.\nImpact of AFSS; Contained/controlled.\nNumber of sprinkler heads operated; 1.\n\nSummary of Incident  \n\nFire crews were mobilised to reports of a confirmed fire following an emergency call 999 call.\nOn arrival the incident commander established that the seat of the fire was within a ground floor studio bedsit.\nUpon entry\, firefighters wearing breathing apparatus established that\n\n\n1 sprinkler head had activated within the room of origin\, containing/controlling and extinguishing the fire.\n10% fire/heat and smoke damage sustained to the area in vicinity of the seat of the fire.\n\n\nThe resident self-evacuated the premises prior to the arrival of the emergency services.\n\n\nThe fire was contained to the room of origin\, allowing tenable conditions for the remaining occupants within the property to make their way to a final place of safety via the common ways.\nThe cause of the fire involved a e-bike lithium battery which was on charge.\nFirefighting media\, 1 hose reel jet was used to extinguish remaining hot spots.\n\n\nOnsite information was not available allowing firefighters to assist in the management of water from the activation of the sprinkler system allowing the isolation of the sprinkler isolation valve.\nMajor protracted incident everted allowing FRS resources to be released\, redeployed to attend emergency incidents.\nThe building was reoccupied at the conclusion of the incident\nAlternative accommodation was required for the tenant whilst minor redecoration works were completed to their accommodation.\n\n The following advice is intended for building managers\, individuals who have responsibility for fire safety within a building. \nPremises Emergency Plan \nThe problem\, post fire sprinkler activations reported where buildings have been identified as affected by water egress following the successful activation of the sprinkler system containing\, controlling or in some cases extinguishing the fire\, predominately due to. \n\nPoor business continuity management\, inadequate onsite emergency planning by the building manager or responsible person for the fire safety arrangements within a building.\nAllowing onsite information to be available for firefighters to interact with the building active fire safety measures namely automatic water fire suppression systems.\n\nThere is now a high probability that firefighters will attend a variety of incidents where sprinklers systems are reported as present and having an impact within these types of buildings. \nThe provision of a robust emergency plan will allow an immediate emergency response to be actioned by the fire rescue service 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\, due to the knock-on effect this can have on a business or occupancy \nDebunking the myth that water damage following the actuation of the sprinkler system will be more expensive than the actual damage resulting from the fire. \nReinstatement of the Fire Protection Measures \n\nIt is paramount that fire protection measures in buildings can function effectively in the event of a fire. To achieve this the premises emergency plan should include that arrangements are in place allowing the immediate reinstatement of the sprinkler system.\nIt is a requirement of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order for the responsible person to implement the appropriate arrangements for the effective planning\, organisation\, control\, monitoring of the preventive and protective measures.\nAny delay could compromise the safety of the occupants in the event of a further fire within the building due to the sprinkler system being offline.\n\nFurther detailed guidance on Sprinkler protected buildings can be found in the BAFSA Information file\, A guide for Responsible Persons and Duty Holder. \nSources/further reading.  \n\nSprinkler Saves Review 2023/2024\nSprinkler Saves Summer Update No 6\n¹Efficiency and Effectiveness of Sprinkler Systems in the United Kingdom: An Analysis from Fire Service data \nBAFSA Information file\, A guide for Responsible Persons and Duty Holder.\nGFRS\, Sprinklers\nYou tube London family home destroyed by e-bike battery days before Christmas\nLFB Charge safe e-bike and e scooter safety advice\nE bike house fire\, LFB/X\nGuidance note FIA Guidance on Lithium-Ion Battery Fires.\n\nIf you want to make a difference working in the fire sector\, we need your assistance…… \nTo 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. \nIf you hear of a save report it using this link. \nCredit to GFRS for reporting this incident allowing the benefits of sprinklers to be reported to a wider audience raising awareness of the good work that sprinklers do and help in our continued campaign to lobby government to introduce tougher sprinkler rules making the installation and retrofitting of sprinklers mandatory in all buildings we are particularly concerned about: \n\nBuildings housing vulnerable residents\nResidential buildings\nSchools\nCarparks\nStorage and warehouses\nHospitals\n\n      \n 
URL:https://www.sprinklersaves.co.uk/saves/gloucestershire-lithium-battery-hmo-sprinkler-save/
LOCATION:Gloucestershire
CATEGORIES:Residential
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20241126
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20241127
DTSTAMP:20260418T093737
CREATED:20241211T085345Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241211T184107Z
UID:10000490-1732579200-1732665599@www.sprinklersaves.co.uk
SUMMARY:Doncaster Residential Tall Building Bedroom Activation
DESCRIPTION:Credit image SYFRS\nRoger Brason\, South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue (SYFR) sprinkler advocate\, “We’ve championed the use of sprinklers\, particularly in high-rise buildings\, for quite some time\, so we’re delighted that all of the blocks in Doncaster now have them.” \n“These devices not only help protect life\, but help protect property too. In most cases\, they will extinguish a fire completely and prevent it from spreading any further. The fact that people living in high-rise buildings across Doncaster now have such a high level of fire protection really is excellent news. \nOverview \nThe benefits of retrofitting a life safety residential sprinkler system were clearly identified following a bedroom fire within a general needs residential block of flats housing a diverse range of tenants. Reducing the impact of fire as part of an appropriate package of fire safety measures on people\, firefighters\, property and the environment. The fire was extinguished before the arrival of SYFR by the activation of 1 residential sprinkler head within the flat with no further firefighting media required from SYFS\, no injuries were reported. \nProviding further evidence that the operation of a correctly designed and installed residential sprinkler system installed\, maintained in accordance with the appropriate codes and standards. \n\nReduces the rate of production of heat and smoke\, allowing more time for the occupants to escape to safety or be rescued.\nAssist firefighters in carrying out search and rescue operations by limiting fire development\, which significantly reduces the risk to firefighters.\nContain/control or in some cases extinguish the fire.\nAre reliable and effective\, providing adding further weight to the recent report conducted by ¹Optimal Economics\, commissioned by the National Fire Chiefs Council\, National Fire Sprinkler Network into the performance\, reliability\, and effectiveness of sprinkler systems in controlling and extinguishing fires.\n\nThe report found that: \n\nSprinklers are 99% efficient in extinguishing or controlling a fire.\nSprinklers are 94% efficient in their ability to operate.\n\nThe premises \n\n14 storey tower development containing 83 flats.\n\nBackground \nFollowing the tragic events of the Grenfell Fire tragedy\, St Ledger homes of Doncaster working with Doncaster Council took the decision to retrofit residential sprinkler systems into its 9 tall building residential blocks as part of a package of fire safety measures to improve fire safety across its housing stock at a cost of £6m\, with the sprinkler installation accounting for over half of the total spend. As part of this project SYFRS match funded this initiative by contributing £200\,000 for the retrofitting of sprinklers within one of the blocks from their safer stronger communities’ reserve fund which should be applauded. \nThe Incident  \n\nDate of incident; November 2024.\nIncident; Fire.\nAddress; Doncaster\nOccupancy: Purpose-Built Flats/Maisonettes – 10 or more storeys\nLocation of fire; bedroom flat.\nImpact of AFSS; Extinguished.\nNumber of sprinkler heads operated; 1.\n\nSummary of Incident  \n\nFire crews were mobilised to reports of a confirmed fire within a tall residential building.\nOn arrival the incident commander established that the seat of the fire was within a 3rd floor flat.\nFire survival guidance was provided by SYFR control who advised the occupants to take refuge on the external balcony as their means of escape was compromised by the fire.\nUpon entry to the flat\, firefighters wearing breathing apparatus established that\n\n\n1 sprinkler head had activated extinguishing the fire within the bedroom.\nThe fire was contained to the room of origin involving bedding/mattress\n\n\nMinor superficial fire\, heat damage was sustained to the bedding/mattress with light smoke damage.\nNo further firefighting media was required\,\nThe occupants were led to a final place of safety by fire crews with no injuries reported.\nPassive fire safety measures working in unison with the sprinkler system maintained tenable conditions.\nThe cause of the fire was established to involve an electric heater which was located to close to the bed/bedding.\nThe sprinkler isolation valve was located outside the flat within the common ways allowing isolation at the conclusion of the incident preventing unnecessary water egress.\nMajor protracted incident everted allowing FRS resources to be released\, redeployed to attend emergency incidents.\n\nBenefits of the sprinkler system \nThe outcome of this incident could have been so much different if the decision to retrofit sprinklers had not been taken providing further evidence that the main functional objectives of a life safety sprinkler system were achieved \n\nThe occupants were able to leave the building in reasonable safety maintaining tenable conditions.\nFirefighters can operate without due risk to assist evacuation/effect rescue when necessary\n\n\nPrevent conflagration.\n\nThe following advice is intended for building managers\, individuals who have responsibility for fire safety within a building. \nPremises Emergency Plan \nThe problem\, post fire sprinkler activations reported where buildings have been identified as affected by water egress following the successful activation of the sprinkler system containing\, controlling or in some cases extinguishing the fire\, predominately due to. \n\nPoor business continuity management\, inadequate onsite emergency planning by the building manager or responsible person for the fire safety arrangements within a building.\nAllowing onsite information to be available for firefighters to interact with the building active fire safety measures namely automatic water fire suppression systems.\n\nThere is now a high probability that firefighters will attend a variety of incidents where sprinklers systems are reported as present and having an impact within these types of buildings. \nThe provision of a robust emergency plan will allow an immediate emergency response to be actioned by the fire rescue service 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\, due to the knock-on effect this can have on a business or occupancy. Debunking the myth that water damage following the actuation of the sprinkler system will be more expensive than the actual damage resulting from the fire. \nReinstatement of the Fire Protection Measures \n\nIt is paramount that fire protection measures in buildings can function effectively in the event of a fire. To achieve this the premises emergency plan should include that arrangements are in place allowing the immediate reinstatement of the sprinkler system.\nIt is a requirement of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order for the responsible person to implement the appropriate arrangements for the effective planning\, organisation\, control\, monitoring of the preventive and protective measures.\nAny delay could compromise the safety of the occupants in the event of a further fire within the building due to the sprinkler system being offline.\n\nFurther detailed guidance on Sprinkler protected buildings can be found in the BAFSA Information file\, A guide for Responsible Persons and Duty Holder. \nConclusion \nThis incident provides further evidence that the main functional objectives of a life safety sprinkler system were achieved \n\nThe occupants were able to leave the building in reasonable safety\nFirefighters can operate without due risk to\n\n\nAssist evacuation when necessary\nEffect rescue when necessary\nPrevent conflagration\n\nCredit to SYFRS for reporting this incident allowing the benefits of sprinklers to be reported to a wider audience raising awareness of the good work that sprinklers do and help in our continued campaign to lobby government to introduce tougher sprinkler rules making the installation and retrofitting of sprinklers mandatory in all buildings we are particularly concerned about: \n\nBuildings housing vulnerable residents\nResidential buildings\nSchools\nCarparks\nStorage and warehouses\nHospitals\n\nSources/further reading.  \n\nSprinkler Saves Review 2023/2024\nSprinkler Saves Summer Update No 6\n¹Efficiency and Effectiveness of Sprinkler Systems in the United Kingdom: An Analysis from Fire Service data \nBAFSA Information file\, A guide for Responsible Persons and Duty Holder.\nSYFRS\, Fire service to launch sprinkler safety fund\nFire Industry Association\, Housing provider installs sprinklers into nine high buildings to improve fire safety\n\nIf you want to make a difference working in the fire sector\, we need your assistance…… \nTo 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. \nIf you hear of a save report it using this link. \n          \n 
URL:https://www.sprinklersaves.co.uk/saves/doncaster-residential-tall-building-bedroom-activation/
LOCATION:Docaster
CATEGORIES:Residential
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.sprinklersaves.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Sandbeck-House-26-11.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20241105
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20241106
DTSTAMP:20260418T093737
CREATED:20241212T093647Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241218T170932Z
UID:10000491-1730764800-1730851199@www.sprinklersaves.co.uk
SUMMARY:Greater Manchester Tall Building Kitchen Activation
DESCRIPTION:Image credit Uk Sprinklers Ltd\n  \nThe benefits of installing a life safety residential sprinkler system reducing the impact of fire as part of an appropriate package of fire safety measures on people\, property and the environment was clearly identified following an apartment kitchen fire within a tall building tower development. \nExtinguished by the activation of 1 concealed pendent residential sprinkler head with no further firefighting required from Greater Manchester Fire Rescue Service with no injuries reported.Providing further evidence that the operation of a correctly designed and installed residential sprinkler system installed\, maintained in accordance with the appropriate codes and standards. \n\nReduces the rate of production of heat and smoke\, allowing more time for the occupants to escape to safety or be rescued.\nAssist firefighters in carrying out search and rescue operations by limiting fire development\, which significantly reduces the risk to firefighters.\nContain/control or in some cases extinguish the fire.\nAre reliable and effective\, providing adding further weight to the recent report conducted by ¹Optimal Economics\, commissioned by the National Fire Chiefs Council\, National Fire Sprinkler Network into the performance\, reliability\, and effectiveness of sprinkler systems in controlling and extinguishing fires.\n\nThe report found that: \n\nSprinklers are 99% efficient in extinguishing or controlling a fire.\nSprinklers are 94% efficient in their ability to operate.\n\nThe premises\, 35 storey tower development containing 466 studio\, one\, two and three-bed apartments with ground floor commercial space. \nThe Incident  \n\nDate of incident; November 2024.\nTime of call; 12:34.\nIncident; Fire.\nAddress; Greater Manchester.\nLocation of fire; Apartment\, kitchen.\nImpact of AFSS; Extinguished.\nNumber of sprinkler heads operated; 1.\nFire Rescue Service; Greater Manchester Fire Rescue Service. (GMFRS)\n\nSummary of Incident  \n\nGMFRS mobilised to reports of a confirmed fire\nThe incident commander established that the seat of the fire was within a one-bedroom apartment on the 17-storey involving a pan of oil which caught light on the cooker hob.\nThe occupants self-evacuated their apartment with no injuries reported.\n1 concealed residential sprinkler head activated\nMaintaining tenable conditions.\nExtinguishing the fire before the arrival of operational crews\nContaining the fire to the room of origin.\nMajor protracted incident everted allowing FRS resources to be released\, redeployed to attend emergency incidents.\n\nThe images of the incident\, confirm that minor superficial fire\, heat\, and light smoke damage was contained to the room of origin. \n                                        \nCredit images Uk Sprinklers Ltd\,\nSprinkler System \n\nBS9251:2014\nCategory 2\, 60 min run time\nCoverage\, apartments only\n\nThe following advice is intended for building managers\, individuals who have responsibility for fire safety within a building. \nPremises Emergency Plan \nThe problem\, post fire sprinkler activations reported where buildings have been identified as affected by water egress following the successful activation of the sprinkler system containing\, controlling or in some cases extinguishing the fire\, predominately due to. \n\nPoor business continuity management\, inadequate onsite emergency planning by the building manager or responsible person for the fire safety arrangements within a building.\nAllowing onsite information to be available for firefighters to interact with the building active fire safety measures namely automatic water fire suppression systems.\n\nThere is now a high probability that firefighters will attend a variety of incidents where sprinklers systems are reported as present and having an impact within these types of buildings. \nThe provision of a robust emergency plan will allow an immediate emergency response to be actioned by the fire rescue service 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\, due to the knock-on effect this can have on a business or occupancy \nDebunking the myth that water damage following the actuation of the sprinkler system will be more expensive than the actual damage resulting from the fire. \nReinstatement of the Fire Protection Measures \n\nIt is paramount that fire protection measures in buildings can function effectively in the event of a fire. To achieve this the premises emergency plan should include that arrangements are in place allowing the immediate reinstatement of the sprinkler system.\nIt is a requirement of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order for the responsible person to implement the appropriate arrangements for the effective planning\, organisation\, control\, monitoring of the preventive and protective measures.\nAny delay could compromise the safety of the occupants in the event of a further fire within the building due to the sprinkler system being offline.\n\nFurther detailed guidance on Sprinkler protected buildings can be found in the BAFSA Information file\, A guide for Responsible Persons and Duty Holder. \nConclusion \nThis incident provides further evidence that the main functional objectives of a life safety sprinkler system were achieved \n\nThe occupants were able to leave the building in reasonable safety\nFirefighters can operate without due risk to\n\n\nAssist evacuation when necessary\nEffect rescue when necessary\n\n\nPrevent conflagration\nDebunking the myth\, residential sprinklers as an extinguishing media should not be used on\n\nFires containing cooking oils\, 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 \nSources/further reading.  \n\nSprinkler Saves Review 2023/2024\nSprinkler Saves Summer Update No 6\n¹Efficiency and Effectiveness of Sprinkler Systems in the United Kingdom: An Analysis from Fire Service data \nBAFSA Information file\, A guide for Responsible Persons and Duty Holder.\nGMFRS Benefits of Sprinklers\n\nIf you want to make a difference working in the fire sector\, we need your assistance…… \nTo 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. \nIf you hear of a save report it using this link. \n Credit to both GMFRS\, Uk Sprinklers for reporting this incident allowing the benefits of sprinklers to be reported to a wider audience raising awareness of the good work that sprinklers do and help in our continued campaign to lobby government to introduce tougher sprinkler rules making the
URL:https://www.sprinklersaves.co.uk/saves/greater-manchester-tall-building-kitchen-activation/
LOCATION:Greater Manchester
CATEGORIES:Residential
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.sprinklersaves.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/GM-image-1-1.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20241101T000000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20241130T000000
DTSTAMP:20260418T093737
CREATED:20241218T170849Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250103T122118Z
UID:10000492-1730419200-1732924800@www.sprinklersaves.co.uk
SUMMARY:LFB Reported Sprinkler Activations November 2024
DESCRIPTION:Introduction \nOur gratitude to The London Fire Brigade (LFB) for their ongoing support\, playing a key leadership role in promoting the benefits of fire sprinklers by the reporting of sprinkler activations\, rising to the call from the National Fire Chiefs Council who actively encourage fire services to collate\, provide fire data and case studies to Sprinkler Saves UK. \nReporting incidents taken from the Incident Recording System (IRS) for the month of November 2024 where sprinklers were reported as present and having an impact in Greater London. \nRaising awareness of how the destructive effects of fire can be mitigated\, and in most cases\, be prevented through the enhanced use of sprinklers\, and other forms of Automatic Fire Suppression Systems (AFSS) which save lives\, protect firefighters\, homes and businesses as part of an appropriate package of fire safety benefits \nLondon Fire Brigade  \nLFB Is one of the largest\, firefighting\, community safety rescue services in the world protecting residents and property in Greater London as well as those who work or visit the capital. They report attending 126\,464 incidents of which 16\,120 were fires for the year 2023. \nLondon \nAs the capital of the United Kingdom\, London is also the largest city with a population of just over nine million and is projected to reach 10 million by 2035. It is home to one of the most ethnically diverse populations in the world. There are 32 boroughs in Greater London\, except for the City of London which is a county and government district. The risk from fire in the capital is diverse\, ranging from large industrial premises\, complex retail shopping centres\, major transport hubs\, and large high-rise residential developments. The latter is a key area as half of the population of London live in flats compared to less than 20% in the rest of the country. \nThe Review \nThe incidents contained within this review are collated from the Incident Recording System (IRS) for the month of November where AFSS were reported as present and having an impact in Greater London. \n\nProviding evidence on the vital role sprinklers play by highlighting real\, tangible examples of where they have actuated.\nRaising awareness of the importance of collating sprinkler actuations from across the United Kingdom so societal awareness of the true value of sprinklers can be increased.\n\n\nAllowing trends\, anomalies to be identified in the emerging UK AFSS firefighting industry allowing the continued review of technical standards ensuring best practice within the sprinkler\, fire industry.\nProviding further evidence reaffirming the reliability and effectiveness of sprinkler systems following the two reports conducted by ¹Optimal Economics\, and commissioned by the National Fire Chiefs Council\, National Fire Sprinkler Network into the performance\, reliability\, and effectiveness of sprinkler systems in controlling and extinguishing fires.\n\n Incident Recording System (IRS) \nWhen a household or business has made an emergency fire call\, key information around the incident is captured\, inputted daily into the IRS by the officer in charge of the incident using software forms structured into logical groups. For the most severe fire incidents the senior fire investigation officer compiles a report that details the findings of the investigation and the most likely origin and cause. Once completed\, this officer reviews and where necessary updates the IRS record to reflect the findings of the investigation. \n Each group contains questions in data fields with associated lists containing the appropriate answer options. Data collected about serious reportable fires include: \n\nTime and date of call\nFire Service or other geographical area\nType of building or vehicle\nMost likely motive (accidental or malicious)\nCause of fire (chip pan fires\, electrical\, etc.)\nSource of ignition (cigarettes\, cookers\, etc.)\nMaterials (furniture\, etc.)\nThe spread of fire (beyond room of origin\, etc.)\nThe nature of fire casualties\nRescue information and method of extinction\nThe effectiveness of automatic smoke detectors\nWere there any active safety systems present?\n\nThe importance of monitoring AFSS incident data has been acknowledged by the inclusion of the active safety system field focusing on the following performance characteristics of AFSS fire data. \n\nType of active safety system present\nLocation of active safety systems in relation to fire\nDid the system operate\nHow many operated\nImpact upon fire\nReason system did not function as intended\n\nThe IRS data captured is dependent on the fire officer who inputs the data and their training\, experience of AFSS and commitment to complete reporting. Not all fire officers might be able to identify the difference between a sprinkler or water mist system or take the time to count the number of sprinkler head activations before leaving the scene. \nThe use of IRS data plays an important role in promoting the benefits of AFSS as part of a combination of fire safety measures to reduce the impact of fire on our communities\, property and the environment\, while assisting fire firefighters in carrying out search and rescue operations by limiting fire development. \nIt should be remembered the installation of a life safety sprinkler system is to reduce the rate of heat and smoke\, allowing more time for the occupants to escape to safety or be rescued. \nThe provision of a sprinkler system does not neglect the need for other fire practical precautions or provisions where the person is at higher-than-average risk from fire\, unable to self-evacuate in the event of a fire. \n4x Incidents were reported for the above-mentioned period where Automatic Fire Suppression Systems (AFSS) were present of which 2 activations were reported which extinguished the fire. (AFSS) \n\n1x within a Purpose-Built Flats/Maisonettes – 10 or more storeys\n1x within a single shop\n\n \nReference is made within table 1 that the firefighting system impact was not known in 2 of the incidents\, supplementary Information from the LFB provided further context allowing the rationale for this anomaly. It was reported there was insufficient heat from the fire to activate the sprinkler head. \nReported Incidents  \n\nLambeth Single shop\n\n\nDate of incident; 8 November 2024.\nTime of call; 20:25\nIncident; Fire.\nAFSS; Sprinklers.\nImpact of AFSS; Extinguished.\nNumber of sprinkler heads operated; 2\n\nOn arrival the incident commander identified that the fire was located on the shop floor which had been extinguished by the activation of 2 sprinkler heads with fire spread limited to Item 1st ignited with total fire damage reported to be 21-50m2. \n2.Southwark Recycling Plant  \n\nDate of incident; 18 November 2024.\nTime of call; 12:31.\nIncident; Fire.\nAFSS; Sprinklers.\nImpact of AFSS; Not known.\nNumber of sprinkler heads operated; 0.\n\nA fire involving non-metal waste and scrap within the process/production room was limited to the room of origin with the fire extinguished by fire crews using firefighting media. The sprinkler system located in the room of origin did not operate due to insufficient heat to activate generated to activate the sprinkler heads. \n3.Newham Purpose Built Flats/Maisonettes – 10 or more storeys \n\nDate of incident; 19 November 2024\nTime of call; 22:29\nIncident; Fire.\nLocation of fire; Kitchen\nAFSS; Sprinklers.\nImpact of AFSS; Extinguished\nNumber of sprinkler heads operated; 1\n\nIt is reported that a fire within a modern purpose residential development apartment kitchen involving cooking was extinguished by the activation of 1 sprinkler head which contained the fire to item first ignited\, no firefighting was required by operational crews. \n\n Hillingdon Airport Terminal \n\n\nDate of incident; 25 November 2024.\nTime of call; 14:30.\nIncident; Fire.\nLocation of fire; Lift/Lift shaft/Motor room\nAFSS; Sprinklers.\nImpact of AFSS; Not applicable\nNumber of sprinkler heads operated; 0.\n\nOn arrival the incident commander established that a small fire within a retail unit involving batteries/generators required no further firefighting action\, the sprinkler system within the room of origin did not operate due to insufficient heat to activate generated to activate the sprinkler heads. \nObservations\, comments \nThe two reported sprinkler activations provide further evidence that the main functional objectives of a life safety sprinkler system were achieved. \n\nThe occupants were able to leave the building in reasonable safety.\nFirefighters can operate without due risk\, assist evacuation\, effect rescue when necessary.\nPrevent conflagration.\n\n Advice For Building Managers\, the following advice is intended for building managers\, individuals who have responsibility for fire safety within a building. It is paramount that fire protection measures in buildings can function effectively in the event of a fire. \nTo achieve this: – \n\nMaintenance\, the premises fire protection measures should be maintained periodically in accordance with the relevant standards and codes\, to ensure they are always operational and available.\nEmergency Plan\, the premises emergency plan should include Information onsite for the Fire Rescue Service to clarify the location and provision of key elements of the active fire safety systems. Allowing a robust onsite emergency response to be actioned to assist with the control of the sprinkler system at the conclusion of the fire incident.\nReinstatement of the Fire Protection Measures\, arrangements should be in place allowing the immediate reinstatement of the sprinkler system. Any delay could compromise the safety of the occupants in the event of a further fire within the building due to the sprinkler system being offline.\n\nRegulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order\, it is a requirement of the Order for the responsible person to implement the appropriate arrangements for the effective planning\, organisation\, control\, monitoring of the preventive and protective measures. \nFurther detailed guidance on Sprinkler protected buildings can be found in the BAFSA Information file\, A guide for Responsible Persons and Duty Holder \nSources/further reading.  \n\nSprinkler Saves Review 2023/2024\nSprinkler Saves Summer Update No 6\n¹Efficiency and Effectiveness of Sprinkler Systems in the United Kingdom: An Analysis from Fire Service data in support of this publication a supplementary publication Incidence of Deaths and Injuries in sprinklered buildings was published\nLFB sprinklers and other types of AFSS\nBAFSA Information file\, A guide for Responsible Persons and Duty Holder\n\nIf you want to make a difference working in the fire sector\, we need your assistance…… \nTo 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. \nIf you hear of a save report it using this link. \n           \n 
URL:https://www.sprinklersaves.co.uk/saves/lfb-reported-sprinkler-activations-november-2024/
LOCATION:Greater London
CATEGORIES:Residential
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/heic:https://www.sprinklersaves.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_2302.heic
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20241001
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20241101
DTSTAMP:20260418T093737
CREATED:20241123T134014Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250103T122151Z
UID:10000483-1727740800-1730419199@www.sprinklersaves.co.uk
SUMMARY:LFB Reported Sprinkler Activations October 2024
DESCRIPTION:Introduction \nOur gratitude to The London Fire Brigade (LFB) for their ongoing support\, playing a key leadership role in promoting the benefits of fire sprinklers by the reporting of sprinkler activations\, rising to the call from the National Fire Chiefs Council who actively encourage fire rescue services to collate\, provide fire data and case studies to Sprinkler Saves UK. Reporting incidents taken from the Incident Recording System (IRS) for the month of October 2024 where sprinklers were reported as present and having an impact in Greater London. \nRaising awareness of how the destructive effects of fire can be mitigated\, and in most cases\, be prevented through the enhanced use of sprinklers\, and other forms of Automatic Fire Suppression Systems (AFSS) which save lives\, protect firefighters\, homes and businesses as part of an appropriate package of fire safety benefits. \nLondon Fire Brigade  \nLFB Is one of the largest\, firefighting\, community safety rescue services in the world protecting residents and property in Greater London as well as those who work or visit the capital. They report attending 126\,464 incidents of which 16\,120 were fires for the year 2023. \nLondon \nAs the capital of the United Kingdom\, London is also the largest city with a population of just over nine million and is projected to reach 10 million by 2035. It is home to one of the most ethnically diverse populations in the world. There are 32 boroughs in Greater London\, except for the City of London which is a county and government district. The risk from fire in the capital is diverse\, ranging from large industrial premises\, complex retail shopping centres\, major transport hubs\, and large high-rise residential developments. The latter is a key area as half of the population of London live in flats compared to less than 20% in the rest of the country. \nThe Review \nThe incidents contained within this review are collated from the Incident Recording System (IRS) for the month of October where AFSS were reported as present and having an impact in Greater London. \n\nProviding evidence on the vital role sprinklers play by highlighting real\, tangible examples of where they have actuated.\nRaising awareness of the importance of collating sprinkler actuations from across the United Kingdom so societal awareness of the true value of sprinklers can be increased.\n\n\nAllowing trends\, anomalies to be identified in the emerging UK AFSS firefighting industry allowing the continued review of technical standards ensuring best practice within the sprinkler\, fire industry.\nProviding further evidence reaffirming the reliability and effectiveness of sprinkler systems following the two reports conducted by ¹Optimal Economics\, and commissioned by the National Fire Chiefs Council\, National Fire Sprinkler Network into the performance\, reliability\, and effectiveness of sprinkler systems in controlling and extinguishing fires.\n\n Incident Recording System (IRS) \nWhen a household or business has made an emergency fire call\, key information around the incident is captured\, inputted daily into the IRS by the officer in charge of the incident using software forms structured into logical groups. For the most severe fire incidents the senior fire investigation officer compiles a report that details the findings of the investigation and the most likely origin and cause. Once completed\, this officer reviews and where necessary updates the IRS record to reflect the findings of the investigation. \n Each group contains questions in data fields with associated lists containing the appropriate answer options. Data collected about serious reportable fires include: \n\nTime and date of call\nFire Service or other geographical area\nType of building or vehicle\nMost likely motive (accidental or malicious)\nCause of fire (chip pan fires\, electrical\, etc.)\nSource of ignition (cigarettes\, cookers\, etc.)\nMaterials (furniture\, etc.)\nThe spread of fire (beyond room of origin\, etc.)\nThe nature of fire casualties\nRescue information and method of extinction\nThe effectiveness of automatic smoke detectors\nWere there any active safety systems present?\n\nThe importance of monitoring AFSS incident data has been acknowledged by the inclusion of the active safety system field focusing on the following performance characteristics of AFSS fire data. \n\nType of active safety system present\nLocation of active safety systems in relation to fire\nDid the system operate\nHow many operated\nImpact upon fire\nReason system did not function as intended\n\nThe IRS data captured is dependent on the fire officer who inputs the data and their training\, experience of AFSS and commitment to complete reporting. Not all fire officers might be able to identify the difference between a sprinkler or water mist system or take the time to count the number of sprinkler head activations before leaving the scene. \n The use of IRS data plays an important role in promoting the benefits of AFSS as part of a combination of fire safety measures to reduce the impact of fire on our communities\, property and the environment\, while assisting fire firefighters in carrying out search and rescue operations by limiting fire development. \nIt should be remembered the installation of a life safety sprinkler system is to reduce the rate of heat and smoke\, allowing more time for the occupants to escape to safety or be rescued. \nThe provision of a sprinkler system does not neglect the need for other fire practical precautions or provisions where the person is at higher-than-average risk from fire\, unable to self-evacuate in the event of a fire. \n6x Incidents were reported for the above-mentioned period where Automatic Fire Suppression Systems (AFSS) were present of which 2 activations were reported which extinguished the fire on both occasions. (AFSS) \n\n1x within a Purpose-Built Flats/Maisonettes – 10 or more storeys\n1x within a boarding house/B&B\n\n \nTable 1\, IRS Primary fire data where sprinklers were present\, having an impact\n\nReference is made within table 1 that the firefighting system impact was either not known or did not contain/control in 4 of the incidents.\nSupplementary Information from the LFB provided further context allowing the rationale for these anomalies identifying 2 areas.\n\n\nSprinkler system coverage was not provided within the fire affected area\nInsufficient heat from the fire to activate the sprinkler head\n\nReported Incidents  \n\nHillingdon Airport Terminal\n\n\nDate of incident; 8 October 2024.\nTime of call; 06:46.\nIncident; Fire.\nAFSS; Sprinklers.\nImpact of AFSS; Not known.\nNumber of sprinkler heads operated; 0.\n\nThe seat of the fire was identified to involve an electrical consumer unit which was left to burn out with fire spread limited to item 1st ignited. Due to insufficient heat from the fire\, the sprinkler head located in the room of origin of the fire did not activate. \n\nCity of London Purpose Built Flats/Maisonettes – 10 or more storeys\n\n\nDate of incident; 12 October 2024.\nTime of call; 04:48.\nIncident; Fire.\nAFSS; Sprinklers.\nImpact of AFSS; Not known.\nNumber of sprinkler heads operated; 0.\n\nA fire involving a private balcony was extinguished using water from a bucket/container with fire spread limited to the floor of origin. Sprinkler coverage was provided within the residential flat(s) which did not actuate as coverage did not include the external balcony. Guidance contained in BS9251 states\, residential external balconies permanently open to the outside may be omitted unless required by a fire strategy or risk assessment. \n\nSouthwark Purpose Built Flats/Maisonettes – 10 or more storeys\n\n\nDate of incident; 16 October 2024\nTime of call; 13:24\nIncident; Fire.\nLocation of fire; Bathroom/toilet\nAFSS; Sprinklers.\nImpact of AFSS; Not Known\nNumber of sprinkler heads operated; 0\n\nIt is reported that a fire within a bathroom/toilet was extinguished by the tenant using a handheld fire extinguisher to extinguish the fire before the arrival of the LFB\, enquires are ongoing to establish the cause of the fire. Due to insufficient heat from the fire\, the sprinkler head located in the room of origin of the fire did not activate. \n\nHillingdon Purpose Built Flats/Maisonettes – 4 to 9 storeys\n\n\nDate of incident; 19 October 2024.\nTime of call; 21:07.\nIncident; Fire.\nLocation of fire; Kitchen.\nAFSS; Sprinklers.\nImpact of AFSS; Extinguished.\nNumber of sprinkler heads operated; 1.\n\nOn arrival the officer in charge established that the fire was located within a flat kitchen\, involving a chip pan that had caught light which had been contained\, controlled and extinguished by the activation of one sprinkler head. No further firefighting was required with total fire damage reported to be up to 5sqm. \nThis incident once again\, debunks the myth\, residential sprinklers as an extinguishing media should not be used on chip pan fires. \nIn England cooking fires were the most common type of accidental fires reported for the period 2013/2014 to 2022/2023 with over 1100 fires. \nWe still see reports from Fire Rescue Service(s) that where the occupant is present at the time of a chip pan fire\, efforts have been 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. \nSprinkler Saves UK have reported multiple incidents involving chip pan fires on each occasion the fire was extinguished\, contained/controlled. \n\nLincoln\, 7 August 2021\nTonypandy\, Rhondda\, 29 December 2021\nFlint 3 June 2021\nSouth Yorkshire 26 August 2022\nLondon 21 August 2023\nNewport July 2024\nStockport 26 July 2024\n\nBAFSA 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 \n\nHillingdon Recycling Plant\n\n\nDate of incident; 28 October 2024.\nTime of call; 23:00.\nIncident; Fire.\nLocation of fire; Process/Production room.\nAFSS; Sprinklers.\nImpact of AFSS; Did not contain/control.\nNumber of nozzle heads operated; 0.\n\nFire crews were mobilised to a fire involving plant machinery/appliance which was contained to room of origin\, extinguished using 1 main jet. The premises sprinkler system did not actuate as there was Insufficient heat from the fire to activate the sprinkler head(s) in the vicinity of the fire. \n\nWandsworth Boarding House/B&B other (Temporary Housing)\n\n\nDate of incident; 31 October 2024.\nTime of call; 21:09.\nIncident; Fire.\nLocation of fire; Kitchen.\nAFSS; Sprinklers.\nImpact of AFSS; Extinguished\nNumber of sprinkler heads operated; 1.\n\nThe benefits of sprinklers for protecting our most vulnerable residents of our communities clearly identified following a kitchen fire involving cooking which was contained to the room of origin following the activation of 1 sprinkler head which extinguished the fire with no injuries reported. \nObservations\, comments \nThe two reported sprinkler activations provide further evidence that the main functional objectives of a life safety sprinkler system were achieved. \n\nThe occupants were able to leave the building in reasonable safety.\nFirefighters can operate without due risk\, assist evacuation\, effect rescue when necessary.\nPrevent conflagration.\n\n Advice For Building Managers\, the following advice is intended for building managers\, individuals who have responsibility for fire safety within a building. It is paramount that fire protection measures in buildings can function effectively in the event of a fire. \nTo achieve this: – \n\nMaintenance\, the premises fire protection measures should be maintained periodically in accordance with the relevant standards and codes\, to ensure they are always operational and available.\nEmergency Plan\, the premises emergency plan should include Information onsite for the Fire Rescue Service to clarify the location and provision of key elements of the active fire safety systems. Allowing a robust onsite emergency response to be actioned to assist with the control of the sprinkler system at the conclusion of the fire incident.\nReinstatement of the Fire Protection Measures\, arrangements should be in place allowing the immediate reinstatement of the sprinkler system. Any delay could compromise the safety of the occupants in the event of a further fire within the building due to the sprinkler system being offline.\n\nRegulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order\, it is a requirement of the Order for the responsible person to implement the appropriate arrangements for the effective planning\, organisation\, control\, monitoring of the preventive and protective measures. \nFurther detailed guidance on Sprinkler protected buildings can be found in the BAFSA Information file\, A guide for Responsible Persons and Duty Holder. \nSources/further reading.  \n\nSprinkler Saves Review 2023/2024\nSprinkler Saves Summer Update No 6\n¹Efficiency and Effectiveness of Sprinkler Systems in the United Kingdom: An Analysis from Fire Service data in support of this publication a supplementary publication Incidence of Deaths and Injuries in sprinklered buildings was published\nLFB sprinklers and other types of AFSS\nBAFSA Information file\, A guide for Responsible Persons and Duty Holder.\n\nIf you want to make a difference working in the fire sector\, we need your assistance…… \nTo 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. \nIf you hear of a save report it using this link. \n       \n  \n  \n  \n 
URL:https://www.sprinklersaves.co.uk/saves/lfb-reported-sprinkler-activations-october-2024/
LOCATION:Greater London
CATEGORIES:Residential
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/heic:https://www.sprinklersaves.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_2302.heic
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20240901T000000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20240930T000000
DTSTAMP:20260418T093737
CREATED:20241010T132325Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250103T122343Z
UID:10000477-1725148800-1727654400@www.sprinklersaves.co.uk
SUMMARY:LFB Reported Sprinkler Activations September 2024 Review
DESCRIPTION:Introduction \nOur gratitude to The London Fire Brigade (LFB) for their ongoing support\, playing a key leadership role in promoting the benefits of fire sprinklers by the reporting of sprinkler activations\, rising to the call from the National Fire Chiefs Council who actively encourage fire services to collate\, provide fire data and case studies to Sprinkler Saves UK. Reporting incidents taken from the Incident Recording System (IRS) for the month of September  where sprinklers were reported as present and having an impact in Greater London. \nRaising awareness of how the destructive effects of fire can be mitigated\, and in most cases\, be prevented through the enhanced use of sprinklers\, and other forms of Automatic Fire Suppression Systems (AFSS) which save lives\, protect firefighters\, homes and businesses. \nLondon Fire Brigade \nLFB Is one of the largest\, firefighting\, community safety rescue services in the world protecting residents and property in Greater London as well as those who work or visit the capital. They report attending 126\,464 incidents of which 16\,120 were fires for the year 2023. \nLondon \nAs the capital of the United Kingdom\, London is also the largest city with a population of just over nine million and is projected to reach 10 million by 2035. It is home to one of the most ethnically diverse populations in the world. There are 32 boroughs in Greater London\, except for the City of London which is a county and government district. The risk from fire in the capital is diverse\, ranging from large industrial premises\, complex retail shopping centres\, major transport hubs\, and large high-rise residential developments. The latter is a key area as half of the population of London live in flats compared to less than 20% in the rest of the country. \nThe Review \nThe incidents contained within this review are collated from the Incident Recording System (IRS) for the month of September where AFSS were reported as present and having an impact in Greater London. \n\nProviding evidence on the vital role sprinklers play by highlighting real\, tangible examples of where they have actuated.\nRaising awareness of the importance of collating sprinkler actuations from across the United Kingdom so societal awareness of the true value of sprinklers can be increased.\nAllowing trends\, anomalies to be identified in the emerging UK AFSS firefighting industry allowing the continued review of technical standards ensuring best practice within the sprinkler\, fire industry.\nProviding further evidence reaffirming the reliability and effectiveness of sprinkler systems following the two reports conducted by ¹Optimal Economics\, and commissioned by the National Fire Chiefs Council\, National Fire Sprinkler Network into the performance\, reliability\, and effectiveness of sprinkler systems in controlling and extinguishing fires.\n\nIncident Recording System (IRS) \nWhen a household or business has made an emergency fire call\, key information around the incident is captured\, inputted daily into the IRS by the officer in charge of the incident using software forms structured into logical groups. \nFor the most severe fire incidents the senior fire investigation officer compiles a report that details the findings of the investigation and the most likely origin and cause. Once completed\, this officer reviews and where necessary updates the IRS record to reflect the findings of the investigation. \n Each group contains questions in data fields with associated lists containing the appropriate answer options. Data collected about serious reportable fires include: \n\nTime and date of call\nFire Service or other geographical area\nType of building or vehicle\nMost likely motive (accidental or malicious)\nCause of fire (chip pan fires\, electrical\, etc.)\nSource of ignition (cigarettes\, cookers\, etc.)\nMaterials (furniture\, etc.)\nThe spread of fire (beyond room of origin\, etc.)\nThe nature of fire casualties\nRescue information and method of extinction\nThe effectiveness of automatic smoke detectors\nWere there any active safety systems present?\n\nThe importance of monitoring AFSS incident data has been acknowledged by the inclusion of the active safety system field focusing on the following performance characteristics of AFSS fire data. \n\nType of active safety system present\nLocation of active safety systems in relation to fire\nDid the system operate\nHow many operated\nImpact upon fire\nReason system did not function as intended\n\nThe IRS data captured is dependent on the fire officer who inputs the data and their training\, experience of AFSS and commitment to complete reporting. Not all fire officers might be able to identify the difference between a sprinkler or water mist system or take the time to count the number of sprinkler head activations before leaving the scene. \nThe use of IRS data plays an important role in promoting the benefits of AFSS as part of a combination of fire safety measures to reduce the impact of fire on our communities\, property and the environment\, while assisting fire firefighters in carrying out search and rescue operations by limiting fire development \nWater as an extinguishing media for sprinkler systems \n The physical properties of water produce a wide range of benefits\, effects in a compartment fire. \n\nDirectly cools the fuel to reduce further generation of flammable gases\nWater is converted into steam in the plume and the hot gases at ceiling level\, absorbing heat\, so cooling them and reducing the radiation heating the fuel\nOnce converted into steam\, water limits the amount of oxygen reducing the flames\, smothering them\nOnce concerted into steam\, water expands rapidly driving the products of combustion out of the compartment\nWater cools the rest of the apartment\, increasing the amount of heat it will absorb from the plume\, so cooling it further\n\nIt should be remembered the installation of a life safety sprinkler system is to reduce the rate of heat and smoke\, allowing more time for the occupants to escape to safety or be rescued. The provision of a sprinkler system does not neglect the need for other fire practical precautions or provisions where the person is at higher-than-average risk from fire\, unable to self-evacuate in the event of a fire. \n9x Incidents were reported for the month of September where Automatic Fire Suppression Systems (AFSS)were present of which two had a impact. \n\n2x Having an impact within Purpose Built Flats/Maisonettes – 10 or more storeys\n4x Did not contain/control the fire\n3x Not known\n\n \n\nReference is made within table 1 that the firefighting system impact was either not known or did not contain/control in 7 of the incidents.\nSupplementary Information from LFB provided further context allowing the rationale for these anomalies identifying 3 areas.\n\n\nSprinkler system coverage was not provided within the fire affected area\nFault in the AFSS\ninsufficient heat from the fire to activate the sprinkler head\n\nReported Incidents  \n\n Havering Purpose-Built Flats/Maisonettes – 10 or more storeys\n\n\nDate of incident; 1 September 2024\nTime of call; 00:55\nIncident; Fire.\nAFSS; Sprinklers\nImpact of AFSS; Extinguished\nNumber of sprinkler heads operated; 1\n\nFire crews were mobilised to a fire within a flat on the 2nd floor of a 10-storey high rise residential building containing 54 dwellings. On arrival fire crews established that a fire within the living room had been extinguished by the activation of 1 sprinkler head although a hose reel jet from the tank was utilised. The cause of the fire was identified to involve a tea light/candle setting light to textiles with fire spread confined to item 1st ignited\, 1 person received minor injuries. \n2. Lambeth Purpose Built Flats/Maisonettes – 10 or more storeys \n\nDate of incident; 3 September 2024\nTime of call; 21:37\nIncident; Fire.\nAFSS; Sprinklers.\nImpact of AFSS; Contained/controlled\nNumber of sprinkler heads operated; 1\n\nIt is reported that an apartment fire on the second floor was contained/controlled by the activation of 1 concealed sprinkler head before the arrival of fire crews\, the fire was extinguished using a main jet. The seat of the fire was identified to be within a cupboard and thought to be electrical in origin with fire spread limited to item 1st ignited. \n3. Brent Hotel \n\nDate of incident; 4 September 2024\nTime of call; 15:03\nIncident; Fire.\nLocation of fire; Corridor/hall\nAFSS; Sprinklers.\nImpact of AFSS; Fire in area not covered by system\nNumber of sprinkler heads operated; 0\n\nIt is reported that the electrical supply to a magnetic door holding device fitted to a corridor door was isolated following reports of smoke issuing from the device\, no further firefighting media was required. Sprinkler system coverage was not provided within the fire affected area \n4. Islington Purpose Built Flats/Maisonettes – 10 or more storeys \n\nDate of incident; 6 September 2024\nTime of call; 03:51\nIncident; Fire.\nUse of premises; Student Accommodation\nLocation of fire; Bedroom\nAFSS; Sprinklers\nImpact of AFSS; Fire in area not covered by system\nNumber of sprinkler heads operated; 0\n\nStudent accommodation is undoubtedly a challenging environment from a fire safety perspective with their own individual challenges. The student’s lifestyle is typically associated with a reduced level of caution when it comes to appreciating risk. It is the view of BAFSA and the National Fire Chiefs Council that sprinklers should be installed in all new student accommodation regardless of height\, as well as existing buildings undergoing refurbishment\, regardless of height providing a further layer of safety from fire. \nIt is reported that fire crews were mobilised to a small fire involving audio equipment located within a purpose-built mixed development bedroom housing student accommodation which was out on arrival. \nIRS data references\, the sprinkler system coverage was not provided within the fire affected area which is surprising as guidance within in the specific codes/standards would require sprinkler coverage to include the bedrooms. \nThe benefits of installing sprinklers for student accommodation was clearly identified following a fire within a Nottinghamshire high rise student accommodation block involving an incense candle which was successfully contained\, extinguished within a cluster flat bedroom by the activation of 1 concealed sprinkler head with no injuries reported. The provided images clearly demonstrate the benefits of sprinklers \nClick here for further details \n  \n                               \nCredit images Nationwide fire sprinklers.                      Credit Nottinghamshire FRS                                       Credit Nottinghamshire FRS \n5. Brent Food and drink processing \n\nDate of incident; 12 September 2024\nTime of call; 20:10\nIncident; Fire\nProperty type: Food and drink processing\nLocation of fire; Process/Production room\nAFSS; Water mist\nImpact of AFSS; Did not contain/control (Fault in system)\nNumber of nozzle heads operated; 0\n\n6 pumping appliances were mobilised to a fire within a ground floor commercial kitchen within a purpose-built retail warehouse of 3 floors measuring 80m by 50m. On arrival\, the officer in charge was provided with an overview of the incident by the maintenance manager who confirmed the fire involved a deep fat fryer which was protected by a water mist system. Due to a fault on the water mist system\, the fire was not contained/controlled before the arrival of LFB\, the fire was extinguished by operational crews using firefighting media including a dry powder extinguisher\, hose reel and main jet\, the fire was under control at 22:31. \n6. Bexley Factory  \n\nDate of incident; 16 September 2024\nTime of call; 09:52\nIncident; Fire.\nLocation of fire; Process production room\nAFSS; Sprinklers\nImpact of AFSS; Did not contain/control\nNumber of sprinkler heads operated; 0\n\nFire crews were mobilised to a fire involving an industrial conveyor belt system which was contained within the system therefore insufficient heat was created allowing the operation of the sprinkler system. The fire was extinguished by firefighters using a hose reel jet. \n7. Towe Hamlets Purpose Built Office  \n\nDate of incident; 16 September 2024\nTime of call; 15:03\nIncident; Fire.\nLocation of fire; Office\nAFSS; Sprinklers\nImpact of AFSS; Did not contain/control\nNumber of sprinkler heads operated; 0\n\nSmall fire reported within an office involving an electrical storage heater\, fire spread was limited to item first ignited. Due to insufficient heat from the fire\, the sprinkler head located in the room of origin of the fire did not activate. The fire was out on arrival with no firefighting media required. \n8. Lambeth Student Halls of residence \n\nDate of incident; 16 September 2024\nTime of call; 23:34\nIncident; Fire.\nLocation of fire; Bedroom\nAFSS; Sprinklers\nImpact of AFSS; Not known\nNumber of sprinkler heads operated; 0\n\nSmall fire within a bedroom confined to an item of electrical equipment as part of the building structure. A small amount of damage occurred\, due to insufficient heat from the fire\, the sprinkler head located in the room of origin of the fire did not activate. \n9. Croydon Specialised housing  \n\nDate of incident; 22 September 2024\nTime of call; 13:20\nIncident; Fire.\nLocation of fire; Kitchen\nAFSS; Sprinklers\nImpact of AFSS; Did not contain/control\nNumber of sprinkler heads operated; 0\n\nFire crews were mobilised to a kitchen fire\, no sprinkler heads actuated due to the size of the fire involving a microwave oven no firefighting was required. \nObservations\, comments \n The two reported sprinkler activations within the residential tall buildings provides further evidence that the main functional objectives of a life safety sprinkler system were achieved \n\nThe occupants were able to leave the building in reasonable safety\nFirefighters can operate without due risk\, assist evacuation \, effect rescue when necessary\nPrevent conflagration\n\nAdvice For Building Managers\, The following advice is intended for building managers\, individuals who have responsibility for fire safety within a building. It is paramount that fire protection measures in buildings can function effectively in the event of a fire. To achieve this \n\nMaintenance\, The premises fire protection measures should be maintained periodically in accordance with the relevant standards and codes\, to ensure they are always operational and available.\nEmergency Plan\, should include Information onsite for the Fire Rescue Service to clarify the location and provision of key elements of the active fire safety systems. Allowing a robust onsite emergency response to be actioned to assist with the control of the sprinkler system at the conclusion of the fire incident.\nReinstatement of the Fire Protection Measures\, Arrangements should be in place allowing the immediate reinstatement of the sprinkler system\, any delay could compromise the safety of the occupants in the event of a further fire within the building due to the sprinkler system being offline.\n Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order\, It is a requirement of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order for the responsible person to implement the appropriate arrangements for the effective planning\, organisation\, control\, monitoring of the preventive and protective measures.\n\nSources/further reading.  \n\nSprinkler Saves Review 2023/2024\nSprinkler Saves Summer Update No 5\n¹Efficiency and Effectiveness of Sprinkler Systems in the United Kingdom: An Analysis from Fire Service data in support of this publication a supplementary publication Incidence of Deaths and Injuries in sprinklered buildings was published\nLFB sprinklers and other types of AFSS\nLFB Sprinkler activations May 2024\nLFB Sprinkler activations December 2023\nLFB Sprinkler activations October-November 2023\nLFB Sprinkler Activations March 2023 \nLFB Sprinkler Activations April 2023\n\nFurther details on speccific sprinkler activations within the Greater London are available to view on the sprinkler saves main website \nIf you want to make a difference working in the fire sector\, we need your assistance…… \nTo 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. \nIf you hear of a save report it using this link. \n               
URL:https://www.sprinklersaves.co.uk/saves/lfb-reported-sprinkler-activations-september-2024-review/
LOCATION:Greater London
CATEGORIES:Commercial,Residential
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20240810
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20240811
DTSTAMP:20260418T093738
CREATED:20240821T095216Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241101T124603Z
UID:10000473-1723248000-1723334399@www.sprinklersaves.co.uk
SUMMARY:Brighton Assisted Living Complex Sprinkler Save
DESCRIPTION:Image Credit ESFR\n\nFire Rescue Service; East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service (ESFRS)\nDate of Incident; August 2024\nTime of call: 03:51\nPremises; Assisted Living Complex\nLocation; Brighton\nType of fire; Electrical fire\nAutomatic Fire Sprinkler System; Wet Pipe (Sprinkler)\n\nStation Manager Louisa Curtis\, of East Sussex Fire Rescue Service\,  Brighton & Hove Fire Safety Team Manager\, said: \n“ESFRS have consistently promoted for the installation of sprinklers\, it is a simple\, cost-effective way to save more lives and reduce the risks to firefighters. Fire sprinklers are the only active fire system which detects a fire\, suppresses a fire and raises the alarm. This incident demonstrates sprinklers provide protection from fire damage but most importantly provide time for people to safely self-evacuate if there is a fire.” \nSummary \nOur thanks to ESFRS for reporting this positive news story reaffirming the importance of reporting sprinkler activations to Sprinkler Saves Uk allowing trends\, anomalies to be identified in the emerging UK sprinkler firefighting industry allowing the continued review of technical standards ensuring best practice within the sprinkler\, fire industry. \nIn this case the benefits of \n\nInstalling a residential sprinkler system within an assisted living complex containing 45 flats.\nProviding a further layer of safety from fire as part of a package of fire safety measures protecting our most vulnerable community members.\nIdentifying the fire safety risks of using emollient and skin creams in the home.\n\nThis is the third reported flat fire within the complex in the space of 29 months on each occasion the fire was contained\, controlled or extinguished with limited fire damage\, no injuries reported. \nWe could be discussing a totally different outcome for this  incident if sprinklers had not been fitted following an electrical fire involving a heat pad which came into contact with bedding contaminated with emollient. \nIt is reported 1 concealed residential sprinkler head activated within the bedroom which contained/controlled the fire. Reinforcing that the operation of a correctly designed and installed residential sprinkler system installed to the appropriate codes\, standards reduces the rate of production of heat and smoke\, allowing more time for the occupants to escape to safety or be rescued. \nPromoting further weight to the reliability and effectiveness of sprinkler systems following the two recent reports conducted ¹Optimal Economics\, and commissioned by the National Fire Chiefs Council\, National Fire Sprinkler Network into the performance\, reliability\, and effectiveness of sprinkler systems in controlling and extinguishing fires. \nThe reports found that: \n\nSprinklers are 99% efficient in extinguishing or controlling a fire.\nSprinklers are 94% efficient in their ability to operate.\n\nThe provision of a sprinkler system does not neglect the need for other fire practical precautions or provisions where the person is at higher-than-average risk from fire\, unable to self-evacuate in the event of a fire. \n The Incident  \n\nFire appliances were mobilised to a flat fire within a six-storey assisted living complex.\nPrior to the arrival of ESFRS the premises emergency plan was implemented.\nThe resident had been evacuated from their flat by a carer\, prior to the arrival of ESFRS.\nOn arrival the OIC committed a breathing apparatus team with firefighting media to extinguish the fire within the flat\, where it was established that the fire was within a bedroom.\nIt was established the fire had been contained/controlled by the activation of 1 sprinkler head.\nThe seat of the fire involved the bed mattress/linen which was still smouldering extinguished by firefighters using firefighting media.\n\nThe fire had been contained\, controlled by the activation of one concealed sprinkler head containing the fire to the room of origin. \n         \nSeat of the fire contained to the bed mattress/linen with no fire damage visible to the surrounding area with minor smoke damage. \n It was established the cause of the fire was due to an electrical fault involving an electric heat pad which caught fire Igniting the bedding /mattress. \nEmollient creams \nNFCC’s/MHRA’s Know The Fire Risk campaign encourages FRS to ensure people are aware of the potential fire risks when using  emollient creams within their local communities. When in contact with a heat source or naked flame fabric with emollients dried on can result in serious or fatal injuries from fire. \n\nIt was identified that the resident used emollients which are easily transferred from skin on to clothing and items such as towels.\nThe risk occurs when they are absorbed into fabrics and are then exposed to naked flames or heat source.\nScientific testing shows that fabric burns quicker and hotter when contaminated with emollients. These fabrics include clothing\, towelling\, bandages or bedding.\nAnglia Ruskin University conducted an experiment to show the effects emollient creams on ignition rates. The following video experiment shows just how flammable materials with emollient residue on them are and how much hotter they cause fires to burn. (link to video can be found in the links/sources section)\n\nBenefit of the sprinkler system  \n\nReduced the rate of production of heat and smoke\, allowing more time for\n\n\nThe occupants to escape to safety or be rescued\nThe officer in charge crucial time to implement their operational tactical plan.\nAllowing firefighters to complete search and rescue operations by limiting fire development\, which significantly reduces the risk of flashover.\n\n\nFire contained within the compartment of origin.\nIntegrity of the means of escape\, maintained.\n\nThis incident demonstrates that a correctly designed and installed sprinkler system can detect\, raise the alarm and control or in this case extinguish a fire at an early stage of development and activate an alarm. \nImpairment of active fire protection system \n\nWhere buildings and equipment are provided with active fire protection measures such as a sprinkler system protecting life and in some cases property protection.\nIt is essential that the fire protection measures in a building can function effectively in the event of a fire.\nArrangements are in place to ensure the responsible person\, building manager for the premises is aware that following the activation of an active system such as a sprinkler system provisions are in place allowing for the immediate reinstatement of the sprinkler system following a fire.\n\nSources/further reading.  \n\nESFRS\nSprinkler Saves Review 2023/2024\nSprinkler Saves Summer Update No 5\nExperiment conducted by Anglia Ruskin University researchers- YouTube\n¹Efficiency and Effectiveness of Sprinkler Systems in the United Kingdom: An Analysis from Fire Service data In support of this publication a supplementary publication Incidence of Deaths and Injuries in sprinklered buildings was published\n\n          \n 
URL:https://www.sprinklersaves.co.uk/saves/brighton-assisted-living-complex-sprinkler-save/
LOCATION:Brighton
CATEGORIES:Residential
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.sprinklersaves.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Screenshot-2024-08-15-at-18.34.00.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20240801T000000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20240801T235900
DTSTAMP:20260418T093738
CREATED:20240812T204933Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241101T124344Z
UID:10000471-1722470400-1722556740@www.sprinklersaves.co.uk
SUMMARY:Devon Tall Building Bathroom Emollient Sprinkler Activation
DESCRIPTION:Date of incident; Summer 2024.\nLocation; Devon.\nUse of building; Purpose built block of flats 10 floors and above.\nIncident; fire.\nLocation of fire; Bathroom.\nAutomatic Fire Suppression System; Sprinklers.\nFire Rescue Service; Devon & Somerset Fire Rescue Service. (DSFRS)\n\nSummary \nOur thanks to DSFRS for reporting this positive news story reaffirming the importance of reporting sprinkler activations to Sprinkler Saves Uk allowing trends\, anomalies to be identified in the emerging UK sprinkler firefighting industry allowing the continued review of technical standards ensuring best practice within the sprinkler\, fire industry. In this case the \n\nBenefits of retrofitting a residential sprinkler system within a residential tall building.\nImportance of sprinkler coverage within bathrooms\, shower rooms and toilets.\nFire safety risks\, if you use emollient and skin creams in the home.\n\nIf it was not for the decision taken by the social housing landlord to retrofit residential sprinkler systems following the tragic events of the Grenfell Fire throughout their high-rise residential blocks of flats property portfolio\, we could be discussing a totally different outcome following an accidental fire involving a naked flame (lite cigarette) which came into contact with a bathroom towel contaminated with emollient. Resulting in the fire burning quickly and intensely activating 1 sidewall sprinkler head within the bathroom which extinguished the fire. \nThe outcome of this sprinkler review will improve fire safety awareness providing further evidence that the operation of a correctly designed and installed residential sprinkler system reduces the rate of production of heat and smoke\, allowing more time for the occupants to escape to safety or be rescued. Providing further weight to the reliability and effectiveness of sprinkler systems following the two recent reports conducted ¹Optimal Economics\, and commissioned by the National Fire Chiefs Council\, National Fire Sprinkler Network into the performance\, reliability\, and effectiveness of sprinkler systems in controlling and extinguishing fires. \nThe reports found that: \n\nSprinklers are 99% efficient in extinguishing or controlling a fire.\nSprinklers are 94% efficient in their ability to operate.\n\nThe provision of a sprinkler system does not neglect the need for other fire practical precautions or provisions where the person is at higher-than-average risk from fire\, unable to self-evacuate in the event of a fire \nThe Incident \n\nFire crews were mobilised to a fire following an emergency call received from the remote alarm receiving centre\, resulting in several appliances being mobilised by DSFRS fire control.\nFollowing the completion of a dynamic risk assessment\, key task by the officer in charge (OIC) on arrival\, it was established that the building was fitted with a residential sprinkler system with the fire reported within a flat.\nThe provision of the sprinkler system allowed extra time for the OIC to implement a robust operational high rise tactical plan for the incident.\nUpon entry to the flat operational fire crews established that a fire within a bathroom had been contained\, controlled and extinguished by the activation of 1 sidewall sprinkler head located within the room of origin.\nNo further firefighting media was required\nMinimal fire damage was reported within the compartment of origin\nNo injuries were reported.\n\nIt was established that the cause of the fire was \n\nA lit cigarette that made contact with a bathroom towel which was hanging on the back of the bathroom door which dislodged falling onto the lit cigarette being held in the hand of the resident.\nThe towel immediately ignited burning quickly and intensely\, the resident immediately made their way to a place of safety closing the bathroom door as he left preventing the fire spreading from the room of origin.\nThe sidewall sprinkle head located directly above the inside of the door directly below the seat of the fire activated extinguishing the fire.\n\nEmollient creams \nNFCC’s/MHRA’s Know The Fire Risk campaign encourages FRS to ensure people are aware of the potential fire risks when using  emollient creams within their local communities. When in contact with a heat source or naked flame fabric with emollients dried on can result in serious or fatal injuries from fire. \n\nIt was identified that the resident used emollients which are easily transferred from skin on to clothing and items such as towels.\nThe risk occurs when they are absorbed into fabrics and are then exposed to naked flames or heat source.\nScientific testing shows that fabric burns quicker and hotter when contaminated with emollients. These fabrics include clothing\, towelling\, bandages or bedding.\nAnglia Ruskin University conducted an experiment to show the effects emollient creams on ignition rates. The following video experiment shows just how flammable materials with emollient residue on them are and how much hotter they cause fires to burn. (link to video can be found in the links/sources section)\n\nResidential Sprinkler Specification \nInstalled to BS9251:2014 \n\nCategory 3 system\nCoverage\, flats and communal areas\nIsolation valves installed for each dwelling/floor\nFirefighter inlet valve provided allowing the sprinkler supply to be augmented\nUPS back up power supply\n\nThe decision taken by the social housing landlord to include sprinkler protection for the bathrooms within the flats as part of the specification for the sprinkler system is clearly vindicated following the outcome of this incident despite the guidance contained within BS9251:2014 that bathrooms with a floor area of less than 5m² may be excluded unless required by a fire strategy or risk assessment. \nFollowing the review\, publication of BS9251:2021 Bathrooms\, shower rooms and toilets with a floor area less than 5m2 are now only exempt if they have “linings conforming to BS EN 13501-1:2018 Class A1\, A2-s3\,d2 and B-s3\,d2\, and which are not prepared for white goods\, such as washing machines\, dryers\, electric showers or water heaters;”.Therefore\, bathrooms under 5m2 may now require sprinkler protection based on the updated wording. \nBest practice \nThe social housing provider should be acknowledged for having the forefront focusing on the following areas which allowed a successful outcome for business continuity management. \n\nJoint Working with DSFRS\n\nCompleting joint familiarisation visits to provide the appropriate information to plan and respond to an incident within a high-rise building. The outcome of which allowed DSFRS to identify the location and provision of key elements of the active fire safety systems where present such as sprinklers on arrival. \nAllowing a robust onsite emergency response to be immediately actioned. \n\nAssisting in the control of the sprinkler system during the fire incident and following the fire.\nAttendance of the sprinkler company to reinstate the sprinkler system within under 4 hours from time of activation\n\nConclusion \nIf it was not for the sprinkler system\, we could be discussing a fully developed potential major fire within the premises. This incident demonstrates once again the benefits of installing sprinklers within residential tall buildings for both the residents and firefighter safety. \n\nRapidly reducing the rate of production of heat and smoke\nAllowing the fire officer crucial time to implement the operational tactical plan.\nAllowing firefighters to complete search and rescue operations by limiting fire development\, which significantly reduces the risk of flashover.\nIntegrity of the means of escape\, maintained.\nFire contained within the compartment of origin.\n\nDemonstrating that a correctly designed and installed sprinkler system can detect\, raise the alarm and control or in this case extinguish a fire at an early stage of development. \nLinks/sources \n\nSprinkler Saves Review 2023/2024\nSprinkler Saves Spring Update No 4\nWesthampsted Square AFSS Activation Case Study\nExperiments conducted by Anglian Ruskin University researches-you tube\n¹Efficiency and Effectiveness of Sprinkler Systems in the United Kingdom: An Analysis from Fire Service data In support of this publication a supplementary publication Incidence of Deaths and Injuries in sprinklered buildings was published\n\nIf you want to make a difference working in the fire sector\, we need your assistance…… \nTo 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. \nIf you hear of a save report it using this link. \n  \n       
URL:https://www.sprinklersaves.co.uk/saves/devon-tall-building-bathroom-emollient-sprinkler-activation/
LOCATION:Devon
CATEGORIES:Residential
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.sprinklersaves.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Picture-3.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20240726T025500
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20240726T031600
DTSTAMP:20260418T093738
CREATED:20240801T215922Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240801T222952Z
UID:10000468-1721962500-1721963760@www.sprinklersaves.co.uk
SUMMARY:Tall Building Sprinkler Activation Stockton
DESCRIPTION:Credit; Cleveland Fire Brigade \n\nDate of incident; 26 July 2024\nTine of call; 02.55\nTime of stop; 03:16\nLocation; Stockton.\nUse of building; Purpose built block of flats 10 floors and above.\nIncident; fire.\nLocation of fire; Kitchen\nNumber of fire appliances; 7\nAutomatic Fire Suppression System; BS9251\nFire Rescue Service; Cleveland Fire Brigade (CFB)\n\nThe 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. \nTeesside 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. \n“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.” \nThe Incident \n\nFire crews were mobilised to reports of a fire\nFollowing 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\nThe benefit of the sprinkler system allowed extra time for the OIC to implement a robust operational tactical plan for the incident.\nUpon 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.\nTwo residents self-evacuated their flat prior to the arrival of Cleveland Fire Brigade with no injuries reported.\nThe cause of the fire a chip pan which was left unattended.\n5% Fire damage\, 100% smoke damage to the compartment of origin.\nInformation 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.\n\n \n\nimage credit CFB\,\nlocation of isolation valve.\n\nSprinkler System  \n\nBS9251\nCategory 4\nCoverage flats/common ways\nDesignated water tank supply with twin pumps\nDedicated power supply\n\nBenefits of a residential sprinkler system  \nIt should be remembered that a correctly designed and installed sprinkler system \n\nIs an effective active fire safety measures part of a holistic approach.\nReduces the heat output from fire by reducing its growth\, containing\, controlling or in some cases extinguishing the fire\nAllows more time for the occupants to escape to safety or be rescued\nInitiates the appropriate emergency procedures by sounding a sprinklered local alarm\n\nThe 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. \nThis incident once again\, debunks the myth\, residential sprinklers as an extinguishing media should not be used on chip pan fires \nIn 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. \nSprinkler Saves UK have reported multiple incidents involving chip pan fires on each occasion the fire was extinguished\, contained\, or controlled. \n\nLincoln\, 7 August 2021\nTonypandy\, Rhondda\, 29 December 2021\nFlint 3 June 2021\nSouth Yorkshire 26 August 2022\nLondon 21 August 2023\nNewport July 2024\n\nBAFSA 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 \nLinks/sources \n\nSprinkler Saves Review 2023/2024\nSprinkler Saves Spring Update No 4\nCleveland Fire Brigade press release\nWesthampsted Square AFSS Activation Case Study\n\nIf you want to make a difference working in the fire sector\, we need your assistance…… \nTo 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. \nIf you hear of a save report it using this link. \n           
URL:https://www.sprinklersaves.co.uk/saves/tall-building-sprinkler-activation-stockton/
LOCATION:Stockton
CATEGORIES:Residential
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.sprinklersaves.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/20240727_0321201-rotated.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20240720
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20240721
DTSTAMP:20260418T093738
CREATED:20240825T080640Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241010T132409Z
UID:10000474-1721433600-1721519999@www.sprinklersaves.co.uk
SUMMARY:13 Years After Installation\, Welsh Sprinkler System Extinguishes Residential High-Rise Fire.
DESCRIPTION:Credit image Bron Afon\n\nDate of incident; 20 July 2024\nTine of call; 19:22\nLocation; South Wales\nUse of building; Purpose built block flat 10 or more stories\nOwned and managed by Bron Afon Community Housing Association\nIncident; fire.\nLocation of fire; Kitchen\nAutomatic Fire Suppression System; BS9251:2005\nFire Rescue Service; South Wales Fire Rescue Service (SWFRS)\n\n\nOn a regular basis\, I am still challenged at resident meetings in my role as a Sprinkler Ambassador representing The British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association promoting the benefits of sprinklers. “We have never had a fire in the block\, it’s a waste of money” \nIt should be remembered fire is indiscriminate\, it can happen at any time. This reported sprinkler activation puts this myth to bed\, this was the first reported fire within this building following the retrofitting of the sprinkler system over 13 years ago. \nSummary \nFirstly\, our gratitude for the support of Bron Afon Community Housing Association reporting this positive news story reaffirming the importance of reporting sprinkler activations to Sprinkler Saves Uk allowing trends\, anomalies to be identified in the emerging UK sprinkler firefighting industry allowing the continued review of technical standards ensuring best practice within the sprinkler\, fire industry. \nIn this case the benefits of \n\nInstalling a residential sprinkler system within a residential tall building\nProviding a further layer of safety from fire as part of a package of fire safety measures protecting our community members.\nDebunking the myth\,residential sprinklers as an extinguishing media should not be used on chip pan fires\n\nBron Afon Community Housing Association should be applauded\, for their vision leading the way in fire safety\, who took the decision to retrofit sprinklers in 2011 in one of their high-rise residential blocks following lessons learnt from fires in high rise residential blocks working closely with SWFRS. The first of its kind in Wales setting an example to others at the time. \n13 years after staying dormant the sprinkler system within the 12-storey residential block of flats activated. It is reported the premises sprinkler system successfully extinguished a kitchen fire involving a chip pan left unattended with no injuries reported. Providing valuable time for the residents to self-evacuate from their flat to a place of safety before the arrival of SWFRS. \nIt is proven that the installation of fire sprinklers as part of a package of fire safety measures\, saves lives\, prevents injury minimizing property damage. It’s the equivalent of having a firefighter in your premises 24 hours a day\, 7 days a week. \nCatherine Love Bron Afon Director of Operations and Deputy Chief Executive said\, “Sprinkler systems are the most effective way of fighting fire and preventing loss of life. We are proud that this work is setting an example as the most challenging of its kind in the Uk.” \nPromoting further evidence to the reliability and effectiveness of sprinkler systems following the two recent reports conducted Optimal Economics\, and commissioned by the National Fire Chiefs Council\, National Fire Sprinkler Network into the performance\, reliability\, and effectiveness of sprinkler systems in controlling and extinguishing fires. \nThe reports found that: \n\nSprinklers are 99% efficient in extinguishing or controlling a fire.\nSprinklers are 94% efficient in their ability to operate.\n\n     \nThe provision of a sprinkler system does not neglect the need for other fire practical precautions or provisions where the person is at higher-than-average risk from fire\, unable to self-evacuate in the event of a fire. \n Further details on the background to the installation can be found in the case study report completed by ²Vipond providing an overview of the installation which can be found in the links section. \nThe Sprinkler System  \nThere is no doubt the cost of installing sprinklers is far outweighed by the potential of saving life\, reducing injuries disruption and financial implications of a fire as demonstrated following this fire. \n¹The cost of the sprinkler installation at the time Circa £80K which equated to £1150 per flat\, cost to supplement the water supply approximately £10K\, \n\nBS9251;2005\nCategory residential\n30-minute supply\, designated tank\nCoverage flats/common ways\nDual electric pumps\nFire service infill\n\nThe Incident \n\nFire crews were mobilised to reports of a fire following an emergency call received from the remote alarm receiving centre confirming the activation of the building sprinkler system.\nFollowing the completion of a dynamic risk assessment\, key tasks by the officer in charge on arrival\, it was established that the fire was located within a flat on the first floor.\nThe sprinkler system allowed extra time for the OIC to implement a robust operational tactical plan for the incident.\nUpon entry to the flat operational crews established that a fire within a kitchen involving a chip pan had been contained\, controlled and extinguished by the activation of one sidewall sprinkler head.\nTwo residents self-evacuated their flat prior to the arrival of the SWRS with no injuries reported\,  further medical attention was not required.\nNo fire damage was reported with minimal smoke damage within the compartment of origin.\n\nEmergency Plan  \n\nInformation was available onsite for SWFRS to clarify the location and provision of key elements of the active fire safety systems.\nAllowing a robust onsite emergency response to be actioned to assist with the control of the sprinkler system at the conclusion of the fire incident including consideration to the reinstatement of the system\n\nReinstatement of the Fire Protection Measures \n\nIt is paramount that fire protection measures in buildings can function effectively in the event of a fire. To achieve this the premises emergency plan should include that arrangements are in place allowing the immediate reinstatement of the sprinkler system which should be included in your emergency plan.\nIt is a requirement of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order for the responsible person to implement the appropriate arrangements for the effective planning\, organisation\, control\, monitoring of the preventive and protective measures.\nAny delay could compromise the safety of the occupants in the event of a further fire within the building due to the sprinkler system being offline.\nFollowing receipt of an alarm activation by the remote alarm receiving centre\, the designated key holder informed the on-call sprinkler engineer.\nThe engineer was on site at 21:30 reinstating the system at 22:03.\n\n Benefits of a residential sprinkler system  \n It should be remembered that a correctly designed and installed sprinkler system \n\nIs an effective fire safety measures as part of a package of fire safety measures\nReduces the heat output from fire by reducing its growth\, containing\, controlling or in some cases extinguishing the fire\nInitiates the appropriate emergency procedures by sounding a sprinklered local alarm\nAllows more time for the occupants to escape to safety or be rescued\, protects firefighters\n\nThis incident once again\, debunks the myth\, residential sprinklers as an extinguishing media should not be used on chip pan fires \nIn 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. \nSprinkler Saves UK have reported multiple incidents involving chip pan fires on each occasion the fire was extinguished\, contained\, or controlled. \n\nLincoln\, 7 August 2021\nTonypandy\, Rhondda\, 29 December 2021\nFlint 3 June 2021\nSouth Yorkshire 26 August 2022\nLondon 21 August 2023\nNewport July 2024\nStockport 26 July 2024\n\nBAFSA 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 \nLinks/sources \n\nSprinkler Saves Review 2023/2024\nSprinkler Saves Spring Update No 5\n¹High Rise Retrofit Pilot Callow Mount BAFSA Steve Seaber Presentation\n²Vipond retrofittinCS10_Fairview case study\nIFSEC Insider\, Bron Afon leads the way in fire safety October 25\, 2011\nEfficiency and Effectiveness of Sprinkler Systems in the United Kingdom:An Analysis from Fire Service Data in support of this publication a supplementary publication Incidence of deaths and injuries in sprinklered buildings was published \n\nIf you want to make a difference working in the fire sector\, we need your assistance…… \nTo 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. \nIf you hear of a save report it using this link. \n         
URL:https://www.sprinklersaves.co.uk/saves/13-years-after-installation-welsh-sprinkler-system-extinguishes-residential-high-rise-fire/
LOCATION:South Wales
CATEGORIES:Residential
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.sprinklersaves.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Picture-1-2.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20240701
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20240901
DTSTAMP:20260418T093738
CREATED:20250103T122040Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250210T093609Z
UID:10000495-1719792000-1725148799@www.sprinklersaves.co.uk
SUMMARY:LFB Reported Sprinkler Activations July-August 2024 Review
DESCRIPTION:Image Bromley tall building balcony fire\nIntroduction \nOur gratitude to London Fire Brigade (LFB) for their ongoing support\, playing a key leadership role in promoting the benefits of sprinklers\, reporting real life tangible incidents extracted from the Incident Recording System (IRS) for the period July-August 2024 where sprinklers were reported as present and having an impact in Greater London. \nRising to the call from the National Fire Chiefs Council who actively encourage fire rescue services to collate\, provide fire data and case studies to Sprinkler Saves UK. Raising awareness of how the destructive effects of fire can be mitigated\, and in most cases\, be prevented through the enhanced use of sprinklers\, and other forms of Automatic Fire Suppression Systems (AFSS) which save lives\, protects homes and businesses from fire and significantly reduces the risks to firefighters. \nLondon Fire Brigade  \nLFB Is one of the largest\, firefighting\, community safety rescue services in the world protecting residents and property in Greater London as well as those who work or visit the capital. LFB vision is to see a greater inclusion of AFSS in the capital\, nationally supported by LFB AFSS position statement. \nLondon \nAs the capital of the United Kingdom\, London is also the largest city with a population of just over nine million and is projected to reach 10 million by 2035. It is home to one of the most ethnically diverse populations in the world. There are 32 boroughs in Greater London\, except for the City of London which is a county and government district. The risk from fire in the capital is diverse\, ranging from large industrial premises\, complex retail shopping centres\, major transport hubs\, and large high-rise residential developments. The latter is a key area as half of the population of London live in flats compared to less than 20% in the rest of the country. \nThe Review \nThe incidents contained within this review are collated from the Incident Recording System (IRS) for the period July-August 2024 where AFSS were reported as present and having an impact in Greater London. \n\nProviding evidence on the vital role AFSS play by highlighting real\, tangible examples of where they have actuated.\nRaising awareness of the importance of collating AFSS so societal awareness of the true value of sprinklers can be increased.\nAllowing trends\, anomalies to be identified in the emerging UK\, AFSS firefighting industry allowing the continued review of technical standards ensuring best practice within the AFSS\, fire industry.\nReaffirming the reliability and effectiveness of sprinkler systems following the two reports conducted by ¹Optimal Economics\, and commissioned by the National Fire Chiefs Council\, National Fire Sprinkler Network into the performance\, reliability\, and effectiveness of sprinkler systems in controlling and extinguishing fires.\n\nIncident Recording System (IRS) \nWhen a household or business has made an emergency fire call\, key information around the incident is captured\, inputted daily into the IRS by the officer in charge of the incident using software forms structured into logical groups which is shared with the Home Office for research and statistical purposes.  For the most severe fire incidents the senior fire investigation officer compiles a report that details the findings of the investigation and the most likely origin and cause. Once completed\, this officer reviews and where necessary updates the IRS record to reflect the findings of the investigation. \nThe importance of monitoring AFSS incident data has been acknowledged by the inclusion of the active safety system field focusing on the following performance characteristics of AFSS fire data. \n\nType of active safety system present\nLocation of active safety systems in relation to fire\nDid the system operate\nHow many sprinkler heads operated\nImpact upon fire\nReason system did not function as intended\n\nThe IRS data captured is dependent on the fire officer who inputs the data and their training and experience of AFSS and commitment to complete reporting. Not all fire officers might be able to identify the difference between a sprinkler or water mist system or take the time to count the number of sprinkler head activations before leaving the scene of the incident. \nThe use of IRS data plays an important role in promoting the benefits of AFSS as part of a combination of fire safety measures to reduce the impact of fire on our communities\, property and the environment\, while assisting fire firefighters in carrying out search and rescue operations by limiting fire development. \nWater as an extinguishing media for sprinkler systems\, the ³physical effects of water from a sprinkler system can have a detrimental effect on containing\, controlling or in some cases extinguishing the fire as identified within the reported sprinkler activations contained within this review. \nThe operating effectiveness of a Residential and Domestic sprinkler systems rely for their effectiveness on the wall-wetting effect for the sprinkler discharge as a method of inhibiting fire spread. \nIt should be remembered the installation of a life safety sprinkler system is to reduce the rate of heat and smoke\, allowing more time for the occupants to escape to safety or be rescued. The provision of a sprinkler system does not neglect the need for other fire practical precautions or provisions where the person is at higher-than-average risk from fire\, unable to self-evacuate in the event of a fire. \nIncidents reported where sprinklers were reported as present and having an impact for the period July 2024 – August 2024 \nOf the 9 Incidents reported\, purpose-built flats/maisonettes dominated the figures in which sprinklers were reported with 6 incidents which should be of no surprise due to. \n\nRegulatory changes following the Grenfell Tower fire of 2017 reducing the threshold height of sprinklers to a top storey more than 11m in in all new purpose-built block of flats.\nHousing providers\, local authorities and developers voluntarily committing to install fire sprinklers in purpose-built block of flats on a new and retrofit basis.\n\nWhat is interesting is that for 2 of the reported incidents for involving purpose-built flats/maisonettes\, the seat of the fire was recorded outside of the flats on the external private balcony\, sprinkler protection was provided within the flats only. 13 sprinkler heads activated for one of the incidents with fire spread reported to 1 additional floor for both incidents. Disappointingly no reference was made within the press\, social media regarding the positive role the residential sprinkler system played in allowing a successful conclusion to the incidents despite the seat of the fire not in the immediate area protected by the sprinkler system within the building. \nEffective fire protection requires both passive and active elements working in unison and complementing the roles of one another\, details for these incidents are contained in this review reinforcing the benefits of sprinklers. \nBS9251:2021\, The British standard for Domestic & Residential Fire Sprinklers is recognised as a life safety standard which allows fire sprinkler protection to be omitted from certain areas including external balconies permanently open to the outside unless it is required by a fire strategy or risk assessment. \nReported incidents included. \n\n1x Warehouse.\n1x Self-contained sheltered housing.\n1x Airport Terminal.\n3x Purpose Built Flats/Maisonettes – 10 or more storeys.\n2x Purpose Built Flats/Maisonettes – 4 to 9 storeys.\n1x Purpose Built Flats/Maisonettes- 1 to 3 storeys\n \n\n  \n \n\nBromley Purpose Built Flats/Maisonettes – 10 or more storeys\n\n\nDate of incident; 15 August 2024\nTime of call; 09:52\nIncident; Fire.\nLocation of fire; Private Balcony\nAFSS; BS9251:2005\nImpact of AFSS; Contained/Controlled\nNumber of sprinkler heads operated; 13\n\nBackground \nOpened in 2019 this development included a new public plaza\, nine-screen multiplex cinema\, café and restaurants and a 130-bed hotel. The focal point of the development included a 19-storey purpose-built block of flats consisting of 200 apartments with external private balconies split into 3 cores. A residential sprinkler system was installed within the flats in accordance with the statutory guidance at the time for a residential building over 30m in height. \n This is the second reported external private balcony fire reported to Sprinkler Saves within 25 months for this building on that occasion fire spread from an external balcony fire was contained/controlled within two apartments by the activation of the sprinkler system preventing further fire spread into the common ways compromising the integrity of the means of the escape. Details of this incident can be found in the resources/links section of this review. \nSummary of Incident  \n\nThe fire started on the 10th floor external private balcony spreading vertically affecting the the 11th floor balcony.\nAs The location of the fire was outside the flat\, the sprinkler system was unable to have a detrimental effect on firefighting containing/controlling the fire as sprinkler protection was not provided on the external open private balconies.\nThe intensity of the fire resulted in the glazing for both flats adjacent to the balcony on the 10th/11th floors failing\, allowing internal fire to spread within the two flats activating 13 sprinkler heads in total.\nAll 7 sprinkler heads actuated within the 10th floor flat with 6 of the 7 on the 11th floor flat activating.\nThis is unprecedented in a residential fire at most only one or two heads activate during a fire\, due to the activation of the sprinkler head installed within the room of origin containing/controlling the development of the fire.\nThe Sprinkler discharge from the sprinkler heads resulted in a wide variety of effects on the fire plume penetrating into the two flats inhibiting fire spread containing/controlling the fire.\nThe products of combustion formed a smoke layer within the flats with a clear boundary between it and clean air.\nFire damage was restricted to the balconies constructed of timber cladding\, glazing units/frames and the façade of the building in proximity to the fire floors\nThe fire was extinguished by firefighters wearing breathing apparatus using 3x jets via Wet rising main\n62 persons were evacuated from the building to a final place of safety.\nThe cause of the fire is believed to have been accidental\, caused by an electrical event occurring in an extension lead that was being used on the external balcony.\n\n\nTower Hamlets Purpose Built Flats/Maisonettes – 10 or more storeys\n\n\nDate of incident; 26 August 2024\nTime of call; 13:28\nIncident; Fire.\nLocation of fire; Private balcony\nAFSS; Sprinklers\nImpact of AFSS; Did not contain/control\nNumber of sprinkler heads operated; 4\n\nBackground\, This was the second reported external private balcony fire reported by LFB highlighting the dangers of external private balcony fires within 11 days. \nSummary of Incident  \n\nThe seat of the fire was located on the external private balcony of a 5 roomed flat on the 25th floor.\nThe sprinkler system was unable to have an immediate detrimental effect on firefighting as sprinkler protection was not provided on the external private balconies.\nThe intensity of the fire resulted in the glazing adjacent to the balcony failing\, allowing internal fire to spread within the flat resulting in the activation of 4 sprinkler heads.\nThis is unprecedented in a residential fire at most only one or two heads activate during a fire\, due to the activation of the sprinkler head installed within the room of origin containing/controlling the development of the fire.\nThe balcony was destroyed and a small part of the five roomed flat on the 25th floor was damaged by fire.\nThe fire was extinguished by firefighters wearing breathing apparatus using main jets via wet rising main\nThe cause of the fire is believed to have been accidental caused by the unsafe disposal of smoking materials.\n\nConclusion \nThe outcome from these two incidents reinforces the benefits of installing residential sprinklers for tall residential buildings providing further evidence that sprinklers can contain\, control or in some case extinguish a fire even when the parameters of the system have been challenged. \nWithout the presence of the sprinkler system the outcome of this incident may well have been more serious with the potential of fully developed compartment fires within the flats. The fires did not compromise the integrity of the common ways due to both the passive and active elements working in unison\, complementing the roles of one another providing effective fire protection. \nParameters of the sprinkler system\, BS9251\, references that the number of sprinkler heads that are designed to operate simultaneously is 4 and only if the 4 heads reside in one compartment. However\, when a sprinkler system is fed from a cold-water booster supply\, more heads can operate as the cold-water booster supply is far more powerful than required under the standard. \nExternal Residential Balconies  \nAre now seen as an important amenity in modern living now used as a convenient location for storage\, outdoor living area increasing the presence of combustible materials which adds to the potential of a fire starting on a balcony and the possible severity of the fire spreading to the balcony above\, or to the flat above via windows. \n These two incidents clearly demonstrate the potential problem(s)/risks associated with private balcony fires where. \n\nCombustible materials are identified within the balcony construction.\nThe interior of the building (dwellings) protected by a residential sprinkler system; the balconies are not sprinkler protected.\n\nThis will not be the last fire involving balconies\, is there a case for external private balconies to be sprinkler protected which of course raises questions within the AFSS sector once again\, alternatively the risk from balcony fires will not diminish until combustible material used in their construction is removed. Following the Grenfell Tower tragedy in 2017\, balconies are now categorised as ‘Specified attachments’ mandating the use of class A fire-rated non-combustible materials in residential buildings over 11m. \nAt the time of construction for the two buildings\, the threshold height for sprinklers in residential block of flats was 30m which has now been reduced to 11m following amendments to Approved Document B in 2020 \nLFB have acknowledged the danger of balcony fires issuing a safety warning contained in a press release with more than 550 balcony fires across London in the last three years. \nLFB West Hampstead Square AFSS activation case study report \nOne of the most high-profile sprinkler activations in London occurred in the Balcony Fire at West Hampstead on 3 July 2018 involving a purpose-built block of flats of 12 floors. \nIn the space of 19 minutes from the actuation of the first fire sprinkler head\, 5 apartments were exposed to fire and heat activating 12 fire sprinkler heads which is unprecedented in a residential fire. The cause of the fire is believed to have been accidental caused by the unsafe disposal of smoking materials. \nLFB commenced investigations to the incident commissioning the case study report to raise awareness in the residential sector of the beneficial/effectiveness impact that incorporating Automatic Fire Suppression Systems can have in a multipoint residential high-rise fire. \nImages of the incident can be viewed in the LFB report \n\nRichmond Upon Thames self-contained sheltered housing\n\n\nDate of incident; 23 July 2024\nTime of call; 03;41.\nIncident; Fire.\nAFSS; Sprinklers.\nImpact of AFSS; Did not operate\nNumber of sprinkler heads operated; N/A\n\nComments/observations \nA small fire within an open flat involving a microwave oven was successfully contained within the appliance. Operational crews professionally dealt with the incident with no injuries reported.         The sprinkler system did not operate\, due to limited fire growth within the room of origin. Resulting in the predetermined temperature failing to be reached at the sprinkler head allowing its operation. \n\nLambeth Warehouse\n\n\nDate of incident; 25 July 2024\nTime of call; 03;41.\nIncident; Fire.\nAFSS; Sprinklers.\nImpact of AFSS; Did not operate\nNumber of sprinkler heads operated; N/A\n\nComments/observations \nA fire involving an industrial dryer located on the roof of a warehouse was extinguished by operational crews using main jets. The premises sprinkler system did not activate as the fire was in a part of the premises not provided with sprinkler protection. \n\nWestminster Purpose Built Flats/Maisonettes – 10 or more storeys\n\n\nDate of incident; 26 July 2024\nTime of call; 00;51.\nIncident; Fire.\nLocation of fire; Airing/drying cupboard\nAFSS; Sprinklers.\nImpact of AFSS; Contained/controlled.\nNumber of sprinkler heads operated; 1\n\nComments/observations \nA fire broke out in the airing/drying cupboard of a 3 roomed flat involving a white goods tumble dryer appliance. Activating the residential sprinkler head which contained/controlled the fire to the floor of origin. The fire was extinguished by firefighters using firefighting media\, enquires are ongoing to establish the cause of the fire. \n\nLewisham Purpose Built Flats/Maisonettes – 4 to 9 storeys\n\n\nDate of incident; 2 August 2024\nTime of call; 12:19\nIncident; Fire.\nLocation of fire; Roof\nAFSS; Sprinklers\nImpact of AFSS; Did not operate\nNumber of sprinkler heads operated; N/A\n\nThe inverter of a solar array panel on the roof of a residential building caught light\, the fire was extinguished using firefighting media consisting of one main jet. Whilst sprinklers were installed within the building they did not actuate as they were not located in the vicinity of the fire. \n\nBarking and Dagenham Purpose Built Flats/Maisonettes – Up to 3 storeys\n\n\nDate of incident; 11 August 2024\nTime of call; 14:51\nIncident; Fire.\nLocation of fire; Kitchen\nAFSS; Sprinklers\nImpact of AFSS; Extinguished\nNumber of sprinkler heads operated; 2\n\nFire crews were mobilised to a kitchen fire in a low-rise residential block of flats\, on arrival it was identified that the fire involving cooking fat on an electric cooker had been extinguished by the activation of the residential sprinkler system. No further firefighting was required. The benefits of sprinklers were clearly demonstrated. \n\n2x sprinklers heads activated\nThe fire was confined to the room of origin\nTotal fire damage reported up to 5sqm\nNo further firefighting was required.\n\nCooking fires in England are the most common type of accidental fires reported for the period 2013/2014 to 2022/2023 with over 1100 fires. \n\nIslington Purpose Built Flats/Maisonettes – 4 to 9 storeys\n\n\nDate of incident; 18 August 2024\nTime of call; 07:52\nIncident; Fire.\nLocation of fire; Living room\nAFSS; ¹Drencher\nImpact of AFSS; Extinguished\nNumber of sprinkler heads operated; Unknown\n\nFire crews were mobilised to a fire within a retirement complex following the activation of a telecare system was activated by a vulnerable community member. On arrival it was identified that a fire had been extinguished by the activation of the premises residential sprinkler system. \nThe cause of the fire is believed to have been accidental\, caused by careless disposal of smoking materials with fire spread contained to item 1st ignited. \nIt was noted that the IRS\, recorded the firefighting system type as drencher which must have been entered in error by the fire officer. For a building of this type the sprinkler system would be a residential sprinkler system. (Wet pipe) \n\nHeathrow Airport Terminal\n\n\nDate of incident; 20 August 2024\nTime of call; 05:35\nIncident; Fire.\nLocation of fire; Kitchen\nAFSS; Sprinklers\nImpact of AFSS; Did not operate\nNumber of sprinkler heads operated; N/A\n\nIt is reported that fire crews were mobilised to a small fire within a kitchen\, on arrival it was established that an electrical fire had been isolated by a member of staff who isolated the electricity supply prior to the arrival of the FRS. Resulting in the predetermined temperature failing to be reached at the sprinkler head allowing its operation. \nComments/observations \nThe following advice is intended for building managers\, individuals who have responsibility for fire safety within a building \nEmergency Plan  \n\nInformation should be available onsite for the Fire Rescue Service to clarify the location and provision of key elements of the active fire safety systems.\nAllowing a robust onsite emergency response to be actioned to assist with the control of the sprinkler system at the conclusion of the fire incident including consideration to the reinstatement of the system\n\nReinstatement of the Fire Protection Measures \n\nIt is paramount that fire protection measures in buildings can function effectively in the event of a fire. To achieve this the premises emergency plan should include that arrangements are in place allowing the immediate reinstatement of the sprinkler system\nIt is a requirement of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order for the responsible person to implement the appropriate arrangements for the effective planning\, organisation\, control\, monitoring of the preventive and protective measures.\nAny delay could compromise the safety of the occupants in the event of a further fire within the building due to the sprinkler system being offline.\n\nFurther detailed guidance on Sprinkler protected buildings can be found in the BAFSA Information file\, A guide for Responsible Persons and Duty Holder. \nSources/further reading.  \n\nSprinklers Saves Bromley tall building sprinkler activation\nSprinkler Saves Review 2023/2024\nSprinkler Saves Winter Update No 6\n¹Efficiency and Effectiveness of Sprinkler Systems in the United Kingdom: An Analysis from Fire Service data In support of this publication a supplementary publication Incidence of Deaths and Injuries in sprinklered buildings was published\nBAFSA Information file\, A guide for Responsible Persons and Duty Holder.\nLFB Press release\nLFB Don’t be the cause of a balcony blaze\, warn firefighters\nLFB sprinklers and other types of AFSS\nLFB West Hampstead Square AFSS Case Study\n\nIf you want to make a difference working in the fire sector\, we need your assistance…… \nTo 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. \nIf you hear of a save report it using this link. \n    \n 
URL:https://www.sprinklersaves.co.uk/saves/lfb-reported-sprinkler-activations-july-august-2024-review/
LOCATION:Greater London
CATEGORIES:Residential
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.sprinklersaves.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screenshot-2024-12-30-at-17.17.23.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20240616
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20240617
DTSTAMP:20260418T093738
CREATED:20240703T111231Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240703T111231Z
UID:10000382-1718496000-1718582399@www.sprinklersaves.co.uk
SUMMARY:London Specialised Housing Bathroom/Toilet Fire
DESCRIPTION:Date of incident 16 June 2024.\nTime of call 03:32.\nLocation: Barnet.\nUse of building: Specialised housing.\nLocation of fire: Bathroom/toilet.\nAFSS Sprinklers\n\nLFB have reported the above-mentioned incident clearly identifying the importance of providing a further layer of protection from fire for our most vulnerable residents of our communities by the installation of Automatic Fire Suppression Systems. \nBAFSA strongly supports the government’s consultation proposing to require sprinklers in all new built residential care homes a change that we have long called for. We would also encourage government to support the mandatory fitting of sprinkler systems in specialised housing as well. Those living in specialised housing can be amongst the most vulnerable to hazards such as fires. \nIt should be remembered the installation of a life safety Automatic Fire Suppression System is to reduce the rate of heat and smoke\, allowing more time for the occupants to escape to safety or be rescued\, The provision of a sprinkler system does not neglect the need for other fire practical precautions or provisions where the person is at higher-than-average risk from fire\, unable to self-evacuate in the event of a fire. \nThe Incident \n\nFire crews were mobilised to a fire within a 3-storey specialised housing scheme comprising of 35 flats.\nOn arrival it was identified that the fire was located within a bathroom/toilet of a dwelling activating the residential sprinkler system which had been retrofitted by the housing provider as part of a package of fire safety measures within the premises.\nIt is reported that the sprinkler system head which actuated was installed on the same floor as the fire not in the room of origin.\nThe fire was extinguished by operational crews using 1 hose reel jet.\nOne elderly resident required further medical attention\nThe cause of the fire is pending the findings of the fire investigation team.\n\nEmergency Plan \n\nIt was reported that the provision of vital information for the Fire Rescue Service to clarify the location and provision of key elements of the active fire safety systems where not displayed. It should be remembered that a robust emergency plan will allow the provision of vital information for the Fire Rescue Service to be shared by onsite representatives.\n Clarifying the location and provision of key elements of the active fire safety systems where present such as sprinklers and other forms of AFSS. The outcome of which will allow a robust onsite emergency response to be immediately actioned to assist in the control of the sprinkler system during the fire incident and following a fire so it can be reinstated.\n\nSprinkler coverage\, bathrooms\, shower rooms and toilets \n\nFollowing the review\, publication of BS9251:2021 Bathrooms\, shower rooms and toilets with a floor area less than 5m2 are now only exempt if they have “linings conforming to BS EN 13501-1:2018 Class A1\, A2-s3\,d2 and B-s3\,d2\, and which are not prepared for white goods\, such as washing machines\, dryers\, electric showers or water heaters;”.\nTherefore\, bathrooms under 5m2 may now require sprinkler protection based on the updated wording.\n\n Links/sources \n\nSprinkler Saves Review 2023/24\nSprinkler Saves Spring Update No 4\nLFB AFSS\n\nIf you want to make a difference working in the fire sector\, we need your assistance…… \nTo make sprinklers the norm and not the exception – we need the evidence. Encouraging the FRS 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. \nIf you hear of a save report it using this link \n        \n 
URL:https://www.sprinklersaves.co.uk/saves/london-specialised-housing-bathroom-toilet-fire/
LOCATION:Barnet
CATEGORIES:Residential
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/heic:https://www.sprinklersaves.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_2302.heic
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20240609T080000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20240609T170000
DTSTAMP:20260418T093738
CREATED:20240609T192920Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240609T193044Z
UID:10000379-1717920000-1717952400@www.sprinklersaves.co.uk
SUMMARY:Newport South Wales Chip Pan Sprinkler Save May 2024
DESCRIPTION:                  \n\n\nImage taken from BAFSA video chip pan demonstration          Credit RSP Sprinklers \nOur thanks to RSP sprinkler systems for reporting this incident demonstrating the benefits of residential sprinklers for life safety playing a significant role\, as part of an appropriate package of fire safety measures reducing the impact of fire on people\, firefighters\, property and the environment. \nDebunking the myth\, residential sprinklers as an extinguishing media should not be used on chip pan fires. \nIt is reported that South Wales Fire Rescue Service were mobilised to a fire within a residential block of flats\, on arrival it was identified that a kitchen fire involving a chip pan within a flat had been successfully extinguished\, contained to the room of origin by the activation of one sidewall sprinkler head. The resident required minor medical attention stating the fire was extinguished by the sprinkler system within 2 minutes \nKey facts \n\nThe fire was extinguished\, controlled within the compartment of origin\nThe activation of the sprinkler system reduced the heat output from the fire by reducing its growth\, allowing more time for the occupants to escape to safety or be rescued.\nNo further firefighting was required by South Wales Fire Rescue Service\nThe sprinkler system provided vital protection for the residents dwelling\, belongings\, personal processions.\n\nObservations/comments \n\nIt should be remembered the installation of a life safety Automatic Fire Suppression System is to reduce the rate of heat and smoke allowing more time for the occupants to escape to safety or be rescued clearly demonstrated following the successful conclusion to this incident.\n\n\nReinstatement of the system\, where buildings and equipment are provided with active fire protection measures such as a sprinkler system protecting life and in some cases property protection. It is essential that the fire protection measures in a building can function effectively in the event of a fire. It is important that arrangements are in place to ensure the responsible person\, building manager for the premises is aware that following the activation of an active system such as a sprinkler system provisions are in place allowing for the immediate reinstatement of the sprinkler system following a fire.\n\nIt is noted following the successful conclusion of this incident: – \n\nFrom receiving a call via the sprinkler company’s 24-hour emergency line the call out engineer was on site within 30 minutes.\nThe system was reinstated within 1 hour 40 minutes.\n\nIn 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. \nSprinkler Saves UK have reported multiple incidents involving chip pan fires on each occasion the fire was extinguished\, contained\, or controlled. \n\nLincoln\, 7 August 2021\nTonypandy\, Rhondda\, 29 December 2021\nFlint 3 June 2021\nSouth Yorkshire 26 August 2022\nLondon 21 August 2023\n\nBAFSA 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 \nLinks/sources \n\nSprinkler Saves Review 2023/24\nSprinkler Saves Spring Update No 4\nNottinghamshire FRS Press release chip pan fires\n\nIf you want to make a difference working in the fire sector\, we need your assistance…… \nTo make sprinklers the norm and not the exception – we need the evidence. Encouraging the FRS 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. \nIf you hear of a save report it using this link \n         
URL:https://www.sprinklersaves.co.uk/saves/newport-south-wales-chip-pan-sprinkler-save-may-2024/
LOCATION:Newport
CATEGORIES:Residential
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20240528
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20240529
DTSTAMP:20260418T093738
CREATED:20240605T115648Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240605T115648Z
UID:10000376-1716854400-1716940799@www.sprinklersaves.co.uk
SUMMARY:Billingham\, Cleveland Refuse/Bin Store Sprinkler Activation
DESCRIPTION:Date of incident; 28 May 2024\nTine of call; 16:34.\nLocation; Billingham\, Cleveland\nUse of building; Purpose Built Flats/Maisonettes – 10 or more storeys\nLocation of fire; Refuse/Bin store\nAutomatic Fire Suppression System; Sprinklers.\nFire Rescue Service; Cleveland Fire & Rescue Service (CFRS)\n\nThe premises: – 12 storey purpose-built block of flats of traditional brick-built construction with concrete slab construction with non-combustible cladding containing 66 residential flats. \nThe Incident \n\n5 fire pumping appliances were mobilised to reports of a fire involving a residential block of flats following an emergency call received by CFRS mobilisation control from the remote alarm receiving centre.\nOn arrival operational crews identified that a fire involving a refuse bin within a bin store located below a refuse chute on the ground floor had been extinguished within 5 minutes of the the activation of the premises sprinkler system before the arrival of the fire rescue service.\nIt is reported that the area affected by fire was less than 1m² within the commercial bin.\nThe cause of the fire was due a lite cigarette\n\nCleveland FRS observations\, the prompt action of the sprinkler system prevented further development of the fire limiting fire/smoke damage to the refuse/bin store only. Reducing smoke spread to percolate through the bin chute to the floors above with minimal disruption to the residents. \nDanger of refuse chute/bin store fires. \nIt should be remembered these types of fires can have a dramatic effect on the safety of the residents\, specifically where refuse chutes and access hatches can sometimes be found directly opening onto protected corridors\, lobbies\, and stairs\, so providing the potential for the spread of fire and smoke to the common escape routes. \nIt is therefore best practice in these situations. \n\nAutomatic fire-resisting shutter should be fitted at the base of the refuse chute to restrict the spread of fire and smoke from a fire in the bin room. The shutter should\, as a minimum\, be operated on a fixed temperature fusible link.\nBespoke sprinkler system\, further protection can be provided by the installation of a sprinkler system located over the bins\, with either frangible bulb or fusible link sprinkler heads\, or open sprinkler heads with water discharge controlled by smoke detectors.\n\nThe British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association highlight that refuse/bin stores are a common area of sprinkler operation in areas outside of flats. This is unsurprising as national fire statistics in England demonstrate that for blocks flats the highest number of incidents\, outside of fires in the residential areas themselves\, are recorded in refuse store areas. \n\nBAFSA published a series of reports analysing Incident Recording System data on fires in sprinklered buildings from 2018-2021.\nOne such report focused on where sprinklers were reported and having an impact for refuse store/bin store fires\nIdentifying that the highest number of incidents were located outside the flat with 141 incidents/activations\nFrom the 141 sprinkler activations outside the flats\, refuse fires accounted for the highest number of incidents with 123.\nRefuse store fires sprinklers extinguished 53 (43%) incidents with a further 63 (51%) incidents being contained or controlled.\nFurther interrogation of the data would have to be completed to identify why 7 incidents were not contained/controlled\n\nLinks/sources \n\nSprinkler Saves Review 2022/2023\nSprinkler Saves Spring Update No 4\nBAFSA Data reports\n\nIf you want to make a difference working in the fire sector\, we need your assistance…… \nTo 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. \nIf you hear of a save report it using this link \n         
URL:https://www.sprinklersaves.co.uk/saves/billingham-cleveland-refuse-bin-store-sprinkler-activation/
LOCATION:Billingham
CATEGORIES:Residential
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20240512T203600
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20240512T215200
DTSTAMP:20260418T093738
CREATED:20240522T130133Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240522T135605Z
UID:10000368-1715546160-1715550720@www.sprinklersaves.co.uk
SUMMARY:Stowmarket open sided basement car park sprinkler activation
DESCRIPTION:Credit BM Sprinklers (image taken following reinstatement of the sprinkler system)   \n This incident provides further evidence on the benefits of sprinklers for car park fires which have become increasingly prevalent as the automotive industry has developed as cars have advanced\, so has the risk of fires. \n\nDate of incident;12 May 2024\nTine of call; 20:36.\nTime of stop; 21;52\nLocation; Stowmarket\, Suffolk\nUse of building; Low-rise purpose-built block of flats\nIncident; Motorbike fire.\nLocation of fire; Open sided Basement Car park\nAutomatic Fire Suppression System; Sprinklers.\nFire Rescue Service; Suffolk Fire & Rescue Service\n\nBackground to the installation of the sprinkler system \n\nThe premises consists of two residential low-rise block of flats\, blocks A & B.\nBlock B\, constructed in 2016 with an open sided basement car park\, block A refurbished.\nAt the time of construction\, the developer proposed a fire hydrant within the curtilage of the development to meet the specifications detailed in Part B5 of Approved Document B (ADB)Volume 1.\nThe location of the fire hydrant could not be confirmed at the time of consultation\, it was assumed that the location of the fire hydrant would be located at the rear of block A.\nThe access route from block A was deemed unsuitable for fire appliance access\, preventing a fire pumping appliance to be within 45 metres of all points within the development.\n\nIt was agreed with the developer as a compensatory trade off measure by SFRS that a sprinkler system conforming to the relevant code of practice\, standard would be installed within the dwellings and car park area. \nThe Incident  \n\nSFRS mobilised 4 fire appliances to a fire involving a motor bike which had caught light in an open sided basement car park.\nOn arrival it was identified that the premises sprinkler system had actuated within the car park area containing\, controlling the fire preventing further fire spread.\n6 sprinkler heads activated (VK468) with the water supply provided from a 6000-litre water tank.\nFirefighters wearing breathing apparatus extinguished the fire using 1x hose reel jet.\nAt the time of the fire no other motor vehicles were located adjacent to the motor vehicle with minor fire damage reported to light fittings\, electrics located above the seat of the fire.\nNo injuries or casualties reported\nThe cause of the fire is currently under investigation\n\nImpairment of active fire protection system \nWhere buildings and equipment are provided with active fire protection measures such as a sprinkler system protecting life and in some cases property protection. It is essential that the fire protection measures in a building can function effectively in the event of a fire. It is important that arrangements are in place to ensure the responsible person\, building manager for the premises is aware that following the activation of an active system such as a sprinkler system provisions are in place allowing for the immediate reinstatement of the sprinkler system following a fire. \nIt should be remembered.  \n\nAt the time of construction\, statutory legislation required sprinklers to be installed in residential block of flats of 30m and above.\nThere is no requirement for sprinklers to be installed in car parks\, instead reliance is place upon smoke ventilation either natural or mechanical.\nIf the requirements of ADB\, B5 had been complied with\, we could be looking at a more significant fire because sprinklers were not installed.\nSprinklers were only installed as a trade-off due to the requirement of B5 not being complied with.\n\nCar parks \nThe British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association fully supports the recommendations made by the National Fire Chiefs Council within their Automatic Fire Suppression System (AFSS) position statement. \n\nRecommend AFSS be required in open sided car parks to protect property\, including the fabric of the building.\nStrongly recommend AFSS be required in\n\n\nEnclosed car parks\, as is common in Europe.\nAutomated car parks\, due to the extra density of fire loading created by stacking cars in carousel or racking systems.\n\nLinks/sources \n  \n\nSprinkler Saves Review 2023/24\nBAFSA Sprinkler Focus AFSS should be essential life safety feature in car parks\nSprinkler Saves Spring Update No 4\nNFCC Position Statement AFSS\nADB Volume 1\nBAFSA Information file Sprinklers in car parks\nProtecting against car park fires-How to prevent and minimize risks\n\nIf you want to make a difference working in the fire sector\, we need your assistance…… \nTo 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. \nIf you hear of a save report it using this link. \n     
URL:https://www.sprinklersaves.co.uk/saves/stowmarket-open-sided-basement-car-park-sprinkler-activation/
LOCATION:Stowmarket
CATEGORIES:Residential
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.sprinklersaves.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Opensided-carpark-fire.png
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