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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250906
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250907
DTSTAMP:20260418T121257
CREATED:20251010T120808Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251112T072415Z
UID:10000533-1757116800-1757203199@www.sprinklersaves.co.uk
SUMMARY:Bristol kitchen high rise residential building sprinkler activation
DESCRIPTION: Richard Bobruk\, Business Fire Safety Officer\, Avon Fire & Rescue Service: \n“Automatic fire sprinkler systems are a proven life safety measure. According to a report commissioned by the National Fire Chiefs’ Council\, the systems are: \n\n99% effective in controlling or extinguishing fires in buildings where they are fitted.\n94% reliable in terms of correct operation during an incident.\n\nBeyond fire suppression\, sprinklers reduce the production of toxic smoke and limit property damage\, easing the burden on emergency services and reducing long-term recovery costs.” \n Summary \nThe benefits of retrofitting a life safety sprinkler system in a tall residential block of flats was demonstrated following a flat kitchen fire which was quickly contained\, controlled following the activation of 1 sidewall sprinkler head. No injuries were reported. \nFurther evidence supporting our ongoing campaign in collaboration with the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC)\, National Fire Sprinkler Network\, and Business Sprinkler Alliance. This initiative aims to highlight the benefits of Automatic Water Suppression Systems (AWSS) and advocate for their increased implementation throughout the built environment. \nOne work stream providing authoritative information to local members of parliament (MP) regarding incidents within their constituencies where sprinklers were present\, having an impact. The aim is to inform MP on the benefits of AWSS to encourage support for them to influence government for change increasing the presence of sprinklers within the built environment. \nIt is proven Sprinklers save lives\, protect firefighters\, if it was not for the decision taken by Bristol City Council to undertake a program to install sprinkler in all its 62 tower blocks to provide a further layer of safety for its residents from fire\, the outcome of this incident could have been so much different. \nDemonstrating that a correctly designed\, installed\, and maintained residential sprinkler system\, in line with applicable codes and standards\, can reduce the rate of heat and smoke production\, providing more time for occupants to leave safely. \nThe Incident  \n\n13:06pm\, Firefighters were mobilised to a fire incident within a high-rise\, purpose-built residential block of flats.\nUpon completing a dynamic risk assessment\, the incident commander determined that the fire was limited to a single flat located on the 8th floor of the 10-storey building.\nFirefighters wearing Breathing Apparatus entered the premises and confirmed that the fire\, originating from a frying pan left on the kitchen cooker\, had been contained\, controlled by the activation of a sidewall sprinkler head.\nThe remaining fire was fully extinguished using appropriate firefighting media. No injuries were reported.\nFire damage was sustained to the item first ignited with light smoke staining located on the wall\, ceiling above the cooker hob.\nThe fire was confirmed as extinguished at 13:06 allowing operational crews to be released\, to attend other emergency incidents.\n\nSprinkler System \nDesign of the sprinkler system\, installed to BS 9251 in accordance with the guidance contained in ADB Volume 2 Appendix E. \nBusiness Recovery plan  \n\nFirefighters 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.\nThe 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.\nThis 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.\n\nFurther guidance can be found in the BAFSA Information file\, Sprinkler protected Buildings: A guide for responsible persons and duty holders \nConclusion  \nThis incident provides further evidence that the main functional objectives of a sprinkler system were achieved. \n\nReduce the rate of production of heat and smoke limiting fire growth and ultimately containing and controlling and\, in some cases\, extinguish the fire.\nPrevented a potentially extended incident that could have required considerable resources from AFRS\, impacting routine operations.\nLimited the development of the fire\, facilitating search and rescue efforts by firefighters and reducing risk to personnel.\n\nSources/further reading.  \n\nSprinkler Saves Review 2024/25\, This review showcases just how essential AWSS\, including sprinklers and watermist systems\, are in safeguarding our communities from the devastating effects of fire\nSprinkler Saves Summer Update No 8\nAvon Fire and Rescue Service Press release Life-saving sprinkler systems praised following recent incidents\nBAFSA Information file\, Sprinkler protected Buildings: A guide for responsible persons and duty holders\n\n       
URL:https://www.sprinklersaves.co.uk/saves/bristol-kitchen-high-rise-residential-building-sprinkler-activation/
LOCATION:Bristol
CATEGORIES:Residential
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.sprinklersaves.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Screenshot-2025-10-03-at-09.54.39.png
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250501T080000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250531T170000
DTSTAMP:20260418T121257
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
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.sprinklersaves.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Flat-hallway-scaled.jpg
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