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DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250801T000000
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DTSTAMP:20260416T091230
CREATED:20250925T191040Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251011T150424Z
UID:10000532-1754006400-1756684740@www.sprinklersaves.co.uk
SUMMARY:Sprinkler Save London Underground Station
DESCRIPTION:Summary \n\nLondon Fire Brigade (LFB) reported  a sub-surface fire involving an electrical motor in a London Underground escalator plant room.\nAfter conducting a dynamic risk assessment\, the incident commander determined that the escalator water suppression system (EWSS) had been activated within one of the station escalator chambers. \nFirefighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the area and confirmed that the fire had been controlled and contained due to the activation of the EWSS.\nThe remaining fire was extinguished by firefighters using appropriate firefighting media. No injuries occurred. \nThe investigation found that the fire resulted from a heated motor brake drum igniting accumulated debris. \nThe station was reopened shortly after the incident was resolved.\n\nEscalator Water Suppression System  \nA bespoke¹ fire suppression system\, specifically engineered for the London Underground\, designed to safeguard escalators within sub-surface stations from fire. This solution provides full coverage along the entire incline\, including upper and lower tread areas\, machinery\, dust trays\, and the open spaces surrounding the sides of the escalators. \nEach system comprises of range pipes divided into fire zones\, (dry pipe system) terminating in open sprinkler heads\, the heads are directed into the escalator machinery to suppress the risk. \nEach zone is controlled by a multiple Jet Control valve\, which incorporates glass bulb type mechanical detection device and an electrically operated detonator fuse. Distribution pipes connect the system to a suitable water supply usually ²town’s main system. \nIn the system standby condition\, water is stopped from entering the range pipework by the multiple jet control valves. (MJC) \nAn MJC will only allow water to flow\, into the zone that it controls\, when it is either; triggered by an independent automatic fire detection system or subjected to sufficient heat to operate the mechanical detection glass bulb. \nThe fire detection system is managed by a dedicated fire panel monitoring a linear heat cable positioned in the escalator truss work. Should a fire affect a fire zone an adjacent zone of the EWSS will operate. The hydraulic calculations were based on supplying two zones simultaneously. \nKings Cross Underground Escalator Fire \n37 years ago\, a fire at Kings Cross underground station claimed the lives of 31 people which also started in an escalator. It is reported that a lit match fell through a gap on a wooden escalator and set fire to the grease and litter beneath the steps. \nA subsequent investigation revealed a lethal combination of flashover\, a rapid air-borne fire spread due to intense heat\, and the trench effect\, a newly identified phenomenon on steep surfaces\, as the reasons behind the disaster. \nFollowing a public enquiry by Sir Desmond Fennell published in December 1988\, 157 recommendations were made which included banning smoking to all station areas\, replacing of wooden escalators. \nMajor stations underwent comprehensive fire safety upgrades\, including the gradual replacement of ³275 wooden escalators with metal ones\, installation of heat detectors and escalator water suppression systems beneath escalators\, accompanied by enhancements in radio communication and staff emergency training for the London Underground. \nConclusion \nThis incident provides further evidence on the benefits of fitting automatic water suppression systems in London underground sub stations\, providing a further layer of safety from fire for passengers\, staff and firefighters as part of a package of fire safety measures through early detection and suppression minimising disruption from fire. \n\n¹There is no British or European Standard which deals directly with EWSS\n²EWSS are required to be a secure supply conforming to the requirements of BS5306 and BSEN12845 for duplicate or superior single water supplies\n³Uk Parliament\, London underground: Escalator maintenance debate July 1989\n\nSources/further reading \n\nSprinkler Saves Review 2024/2025\nSprinkler Saves Summer Update No 8\nLFB\, The kings Cross 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   
URL:https://www.sprinklersaves.co.uk/saves/sprinkler-save-london-victoria-underground-station/
LOCATION:Greater London
CATEGORIES:Commercial
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250711
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250712
DTSTAMP:20260416T091230
CREATED:20250722T085131Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250722T085206Z
UID:10000523-1752192000-1752278399@www.sprinklersaves.co.uk
SUMMARY:London studio flat sprinkler save
DESCRIPTION:   Image credit Nationwide sprinklers\nSummary  \nThis is the ¹second reported activation of the sprinkler system within 19 months at a former six-storey office block converted to provide 62 one roomed studio flats. In both Instances the fire was contained\, controlled or extinguished by the sprinkler system. \nA sprinkler activation is categorised as an event where one or more sprinkler heads have operated to contain\, control\, or extinguish a building fire. These incidents provides evidence of the effectiveness of sprinklers as part of a comprehensive fire safety strategy. \nIn this particular incident\, the presence of a residential sprinkler system in a tall residential building. Resulted in the following outcomes. \n\nThe fire’s growth was limited and extinguished in the room of origin\nPreventing a potential major protracted incident that could strain the operational resilience of the LFB resources and challenge maintaining routine services.\n\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. \nThe Incident  \nOn 11 July 2025\, a fire involving a charging laptop inside a studio flat was extinguished after one sprinkler head was activated. Damage was confined to the item first ignited and light smoke damage occurred within the dwelling. No injuries were reported. \nSprinkler System  \nThis incident demonstrates 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 or be assisted. \n\nBS93251:14\, Category 2 system\nWater supply Tank/Pump\, 30-minute duration\nSprinkler isolation valves for each floor\n\nConclusion \nThe outcome of this incident could have been so much different if sprinklers had not been fitted. Providing further evidence on the benefits of sprinklers supporting calls from the ²National Fire Chiefs Council and the fire sector urging the government to introduce further regulations for the installation of sprinklers in the built environment. \nWe acknowledge the recent government proposals requiring sprinklers to be installed \n\nIn all new care homes.\nReducing the threshold height for high rise residential sprinklers to 11m from 30m\n\nBut we are concerned there is still no requirement to install sprinklers in all \n\nHomes where vulnerable people live.\nBuildings housing vulnerable residents such sheltered accommodation\, hostels\n\nSources/further reading.  \n\n¹Previous incident December 2023\, fire involving combustibles inside a studio flat was contained\, controlled by the activation of 1 sprinkler head in the room of origin before the arrival of LFB\, limiting spread to the room of origin.\nSprinkler Saves Review 2024/25\nSprinkler Saves Spring Update No 8\n²NFCC Sprinkler Position Statement\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/london-studio-flat-sprinkler-save/
LOCATION:Greater London
CATEGORIES:Residential
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250630
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250701
DTSTAMP:20260416T091230
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;TZID=Europe/London:20250221T000000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250221T235900
DTSTAMP:20260416T091230
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;TZID=Europe/London:20241101T000000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20241130T000000
DTSTAMP:20260416T091230
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:20260416T091230
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:20260416T091230
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:20240701
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20240901
DTSTAMP:20260416T091230
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
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