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DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260501T080000
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DTSTAMP:20260615T060838
CREATED:20260608T173125Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260609T045302Z
UID:10000560-1777622400-1780246800@www.sprinklersaves.co.uk
SUMMARY:Sprinkler system controls Hereford factory fire involving lithium-ion batteries
DESCRIPTION:Credit Image\, Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (HWFRS)\n“This incident clearly demonstrates how effective automatic sprinkler systems are in controlling fires at an early stage\, significantly reducing damage and risk.  At Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service\, we continue to promote the wider use of sprinklers as part of a comprehensive fire safety strategy.  Our position on sprinklers complements the NFCC’s position statement setting out the clear benefits they provide in protecting life\, property and business continuity\, and we encourage those responsible for buildings to consider their installation wherever possible.”\n— Dan Willey\, Fire Safety Manager\, Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service\nSummary\nIn May 2026\, Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (HWFRS) attended a fire at a food processing factory. The building’s sprinkler system activated before crews arrived\, containing and controlling the fire. \nThis incident demonstrates that sprinklers can control fires before the fire can escalate in this case involving lithium-ion batteries limiting fire damage\, preserves business continuity and reducing the risk to people\, firefighters\, property and the environment\, even though such protection is not a requirement for factories under the current building regulations. \nThis case adds to the evidence that sprinkler systems are reliable and effective\, reinforcing findings from the report by 1Optimal Economics\, commissioned by the National Fire Chiefs Council and the National Fire Sprinkler Network\, on the role of sprinklers in controlling and extinguishing fires as part of a comprehensive fire safety strategy. \nIt also strengthens the British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association’s case for installing sprinklers in industrial premises by providing practical evidence to support policy and parliamentary engagement\, helping to expand sprinkler use across the built environment. \nThe Incident \n\nDate of Incident: May 2026\nTime of Call: 14:32 hrs\nFire Service Attendance: 14:37 hrs\nStop Message: 16:40 hrs\nLocation: Hereford\nPremises: Food Processing Factory\nFire Location: Battery Charging Room\nFire Protection System: Wet Pipe Automatic Fire Suppression System\n\n                    \n  Credit Image\, Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (HWFRS) \n\nThe alarm was raised by the activation of the smoke detector located within the battery charging room in close proximity to the fire.\nSite engineers who responded to the incident\, observed a lithium-ion pack used to power a battery-operated pallet truck on the shelving unit involved in the fire\, failing aggressively\, ejecting cells across the compartment.\n1 sprinkler head operated\, located above the seat of the fire containing and controlling the fire before the arrival of the HWFRS.\nFirefighters wearing breathing apparatus were committed who extinguished the fire using 1 hose reel jet.\nConfirming that the sprinkler system had contained the fire to the compartment of origin\, preventing further spread.\nThe battery pack was removed\, submerged in water to cool and stabilise the cells.\nDamage was limited to the battery pack and the immediate area around it\, with only smoke damage sustained in the compartment of origin.\nEnquires are ongoing to establish the cause of the fire\, initial indications are that the fire was caused by an internal failure within the battery or manufacturing defect.\n\nConclusion\nThis incident further shows how effective sprinkler protection can be as part of a package of fire safety measures\, in this case where lithium-ion batteries are present. \n\nDespite the intensity of the fire\, the system activated quickly\, controlling the fire at an early stage\, and significantly reduced damage while preventing escalation.\nPreventing large costly fires for businesses is possible through a combination of strategies. One of the most effective strategies to contain such incidents is the use of automatic sprinkler systems aiding the Fire and Rescue Service when they arrive.\nThey can therefore minimise the wider impact of fires\, reducing costs to business and the economy.\nImportantly\, by limiting any fire damage\, they allow businesses to resume operations quickly\, often within hours of the incident as demonstrated with this incident.\n2Sprinkler protection of lithium-ion batteries is outside the scope of current standard sprinkler design standards e.g. EN\, NFPA/FM\, however\, specialist standards are being developed for example NPFA 855\n\nFor change\, increasing the presence of sprinklers in the built environment we need the evidence\, to conduct effective advocacy and policy lobbying. If you have knowledge of a sprinkler incident that may contribute to this initiative\, please provide the pertinent details using the sprinkler activation reporting form available at www.sprinklersaves.co.uk. \nMy thanks to Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service for reporting this incident allowing a comprehensive review to be published demonstrating the benefits of sprinklers. \nSources/further reading\n\nSprinkler Saves Review 2025/26\nSprinkler Saves Spring update\nNFSN Newsletter\n1Efficiency and Effectiven ess of sprinkler systems in the United Kingdom: An Analysis from Fire Service Data\n2Fire Industry Association\, Guidance on Li Ion Battery Fires\n\nIf you want to make a difference working in the fire sector\, we need your assistance. To make sprinklers the norm and not the exception – we need the evidence. Encouraging FRS and those in the sprinkler community to promote\, collate\, report sprinkler activations to Sprinkler Saves UK which will help to create a central and comprehensive record of fire incidents where sprinklers played their role in containing/controlling or extinguishing the fire. \nIf you hear of a save report it using this link.
URL:https://www.sprinklersaves.co.uk/saves/sprinkler-system-controls-hereford-factory-fire-involving-lithium-ion-batteries/
LOCATION:Hereford
CATEGORIES:Industrial
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.sprinklersaves.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/room-damage-2.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20240719T023000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20240719T040000
DTSTAMP:20260615T060838
CREATED:20240729T095144Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240729T102617Z
UID:10000467-1721356200-1721361600@www.sprinklersaves.co.uk
SUMMARY:Hereford Food Factory Sprinkler Activation
DESCRIPTION:Credit image HWFRS \n\nDate of incident; July 19\, 2024\nTine of call; 02:30\nLocation; Hereford\nUse of building; Food Processing Factory\nLocation of fire; Plant room\nAutomatic Fire Suppression System; Dry Pipe System\nFire Rescue Service; Hereford & Worcester Fire and Recuse Service (HWFRS)\n\nHWFRS have reported the following sprinkler activation involving a fire within a vacuum pump used for  processing. \nThe Incident \n\nFire crews were mobilised to reports of a fire within a factory plant room following receipt of a 999 call.\nFactory engineers were alerted to a heat detector actuating within the premises vacuum plant room.\nUpon investigation\, it was identified flames were jetting out from the rear of the vacuum pump which was immediately isolated.\nThe main fire alarm for the premises was immediately activated resulting in the full evacuation of the building.\nOn arrival fire crews established that the premises sprinkler system had activated within the compartment of origin extinguishing the fire prior to their arrival.\nNo further firefighting media was required with minimal fire\, smoke damage within the compartment of origin.\nFollowing the completion of a dynamic risk assessment by HWFRS\, fire crews directed for the sprinkler system to be isolated.\nThe system was reinstated by 09:00 hours the same morning of the incident\nEnquires are ongoing regarding the cause of the fire.\n\nIt should be remembered.  \n\nThe fire was extinguished\, controlled within the compartment of origin by the sprinkler system.\nMinimal fire damage was reported within the compartment of origin.\nNo further firefighting media was required.\nImpact on business was minimal\nThe provision of a robust emergency plan allowed the provision of vital information for the sprinkler system to be shared with the FRS on arrival. Allowing a robust onsite emergency response to be immediately actioned to assist the control/isolation and reinstatement of the sprinkler system\n\nWhen you compare this incident to the massive industrial fire reported by the Business Sprinkler Alliance that destroyed an usprinklered warehouse in Wales which has left a lasting impact on the local business community with over 40 companies affected and 37 unable to resume trading. It reinforces the benefits of installing sprinklers for property  protection/business resilience  preventing a potential major fire and ensured it was only a minor inconvenience. \nLinks/sources \n\nSprinkler Saves Review 2023/2024\nSprinkler Saves Spring Update No 4\nBusiness Sprinkler Alliance; Aftermath of Bridgend Fire: Who covers the costs?\n\nIf you want to make a difference working in the fire sector\, we need your assistance…… \nTo make sprinklers the norm and not the exception – we need the evidence. Encouraging the FRS to promote\, collate\, report sprinkler activations to Sprinkler Saves UK will help to create a central and comprehensive record of fire incidents where sprinklers played their role in containing/controlling or extinguishing the fire. \nIf you hear of a save report it using this link \n  \n                 
URL:https://www.sprinklersaves.co.uk/saves/hereford-food-factory-sprinkler-activation/
LOCATION:Hereford
CATEGORIES:Industrial
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.sprinklersaves.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/pumpavara-2-e1722248745188.jpg
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