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DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250201T080000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250228T170000
DTSTAMP:20260429T201250
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;TZID=Europe/London:20240801T000000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20240801T235900
DTSTAMP:20260429T201250
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
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