WHAT
DO FIRE SPRINKLERS & WATER MIST FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS HAVE TO DO WITH ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION?
(Old
chestnuts with new perspectives)
Along
with some other items for consideration, because,
FIRE,
it’s never going to happen to us!!!!
Most businesses are required to install a type of fire alarm system designed to give early warning in case of a fire and staff fire safety training. Fire alarm systems only provide two features; detection of a fire (pressing the call points or from smoke/heat detection) and raising an audible/visual alarm.
What
then are automatic fire sprinkler/water mist systems capable of?
Benefits
of water fire sprinkler/water mist system (as an addition to and not as
replacement to the “required” fire alarm system), a fire sprinkler/water mist
system provides the following fifteen features, but is not limited to:
Detects
the fire
Attacks
the fire
Prevents
the spread of fire
Sounds
an alarm
Provides
certain relaxations in Building Regulations & Approved Documents
Relaxation
of means of escape travel distances
Relaxation
in occupancy numbers
Provides
environmental protection (the reduction in climate change, global warming,
carbon emissions & air pollution) from toxic gases emitted
Reduces
vehicle congestion (additional
carbon emissions) when large numbers of fire appliances attend & are
stationary operating at major fires
Protects
life/properties/businesses as a result of public fire service cost cuts with
the closure of fire stations & removal of fire-fighting appliances and the
additional time it takes to respond to incidents, especially major fires (and I
am not advocating further reductions in services)
Provides
a “duty of care” to fire-fighters, with the added protection from collapsed
structures
Reduces
the impact of causing cancer to firefighters through the absorption/inhalation
of carcinogenic gases (PAH’s), thereby creating additional financial burdens on
the NHS (studies are finding firefighters are twice as likely to develop cancer
as the general population)
Protect
heritage & historic buildings/structures & artefacts
Prevents
local business disruption (deliveries, business revenue and/or employment)
Reduced insurance premiums (with up to 60% reductions)
NB:
All businesses, property owners and occupiers are strongly recommended to
download a copy of: The Business Sprinkler Alliance document on “Business
Resilience through Property Protection” for further reading in support of the above.
Indications are that there is an extremely low percentage, a 16 million to one
chance, of an accidental actuation of the system along with 96% of fires
extinguished in properties where sprinklers are installed. Tragically the
financial implications to the insurance companies, fires are costing an
estimated £2.5 million per day, creating increased premiums to
everyone.
If you’re looking to build a new property, renovate
your existing property, or build a loft conversion/extension, whether this is
for a residential, domestic property or smaller business property, you may be
required to have a fire suppression system installed, in accordance with
building control.
The systems now being recommended have completed testing in the UK, with both BS 8458 & DD 8458 test reports to suit, and has also under gone UL & ULC testing, and all components are now listed, and our system is currently being tested in other markets across the world, with an array of accreditations.
A water mist fire suppression system can be installed in all domestic and residential properties, including (but not limited to):
·
Care Homes/Sheltered Housing/Residential
Housing/Retirement Homes/ Rehabilitation Accommodation
·
Student Accommodation/ Houses of Multiple
Occupation
·
Hotels/ Bed & Breakfast/Guest Houses/Boarding
Houses/Hostels
·
Individual Dwelling House/ Block of
Flats/Individual Flat/Individual Maisonette/ Bungalows
·
Public houses, cafes & restaurants
·
Transportable/mobile homes
·
Barn/Church Conversions
·
Properties at least 45m from the nearest
road access