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DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20220712T045000
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DTSTAMP:20260525T032113
CREATED:20220815T112643Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220815T113454Z
UID:10000385-1657601400-1657605600@www.sprinklersaves.co.uk
SUMMARY:Watford High-Rise Sprinkler Activation
DESCRIPTION:Fire Rescue Service: Hertfordshire\nIncident: Secondary Fire\nWhen: 12 July 2022\nTime of call: 4:50 am\nTime of stop: 06:20\nLocation: Abbey View\, Garsmouth Way\, Watford\nOccupancy: 17 Storey High-Rise Residential Block\nNumber of dwellings: 94\nAutomatic fire suppression System: Fire Sprinklers\n\n  \n \nImage credit Watford Observer \nHertfordshire Fire & Rescue Service (HFRS) have reported the above-mentioned incident resulting in the activation of the premises’ residential sprinkler system. \nBackground \nIn 2019\, Watford Community Housing invested £1.5 million upgrading various fire safety measures in two of their high-rise residential blocks\, providing a further layer of safety from fire for its most vulnerable residents which included the installation of: \n\nResidential sprinkler system (retrofit)\nGrade D LD1 detection and alarm systems\n\nIncident \n\nExternal secondary fire located on the ground floor adjacent to a storage area involving combustible material which had been fly-tipped – the items were scheduled for removal later on that morning.\n8 pump fire requiring the attendance of over 60 firefighters\nDue to the intensity of the fire\, the fire spread\n\n\nWithin the ground floor storage area\,\nvertically to the upper floors.\n\n\nFire damage was sustained to the flats with extensive damage sustained to the UPVC frame/glazing\nSuperficial damage to the building façade.\nNo injuries were reported\nPolice have arrested two persons in connection with arson\n\nActivation\, Residential Sprinkler System  \nThe residential sprinkler system activated within the: – \n\nGround floor storeroom\nTwo flats directly above the seat of the fire\, the activation of the sprinkler heads was accelerated due to the flat windows directly above the seat of the fire being in the open position\, allowing the hot gases\, radiant heat to actuate the sprinkler head(s). The sprinkler system activated as designed to contain and limit the spread of fire.\nDue to an unforeseen event\, with the fire being an external incident\, the sprinkler feed pipe was damaged – however\, this was after the system had effectively discharged.\n\nThe Benefits of sprinklers  \nThis incident clearly justifies the approach taken by Watford Community Housing to retrofit sprinklers in their two high-rise residential buildings \n\nInternal fire spread within the two apartments was contained/controlled\, preventing further fire spread to the communal areas\, demonstrating the effectiveness of the fire compartmentation and overall fire strategy\nRapidly reducing the rate of production of heat and smoke\nThe integrity of the means of escape was maintained\nTwo compartment fires\, with restricted fire growth. This allowed firefighters to carry out search and rescue operations with limited fire development\, which significantly reduces the risks to firefighters.\n\nObservations \n\nLooking at the attached image the external pipework appears to be chlorinated poly-vinyl chloride) (CPVC) covered with a foil faced mineral fibre.\nThis was industry-standard and flame-retardant.\nTo further improve the integrity of the system\, we are replacing these with steel pipes.\nThe secondary fire was due to unauthorised disposal of waste\, demonstrating how relatively small fires can rapidly develop\, putting residents in danger\, causing significant damage and resulting in a major cost to the housing provider\n\nConclusion \n\nThis incident clearly identifies the importance of designing/installing a residential sprinkler system in accordance with the guidance contained in BS9251:2021\, with specific attention to sprinkler pipework which could be compromised by a fire\, although in this case the system held until after it had discharged successfully.\nPositively\, the fire was contained/controlled by the sprinkler system before the arrival of HFRS.\nHousekeeping is paramount\, the dangers of external secondary fires cannot be underestimated\, highlighting how a small fire can spread rapidly to the external façade of a building.\n\nFurther guidance \n\nBS9251:2021; Fire Sprinkler Systems for domestic and residential occupancies- Code of practice\nLFB Fire Safety Guidance Note 84; Fires in Communal Areas-Information for external partners\n\nLinks \n\nBritish Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association\, Sprinkler Saves Annual Review 2021/22\nHertfordshire Fire & Rescue Service\nLFB Fire Safety Guidance Note84; Fires in Communal Areas-Information for external partners \nWatford Observer\n\n 
URL:https://www.sprinklersaves.co.uk/saves/watford-high-rise-sprinkler-activation/
LOCATION:watford
CATEGORIES:Residential
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