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Think sprinklers... Think Sprinkler Saves N OVEMBER 2021 4: High-rise, London
Eight fire engines and 6o firefighters extinguished a fire on the balcony of an 18th floor flat caused by careless disposal of smoking materials. Firefighters from London FB used 3 jets via wet rising main, preventing external fire spread from the balcony to the rest of the 32 storey residential block. Following commencement of firefighting operations, products of combustion entered the four-roomed flat activating the sprinkler head, identifying the clear benefits of sprinklers for firefighters preventing flashover, fire spread and providing a further layer of safety from fire during firefighting operations.
21: High-rise, London
A fire involving an e-bike was extinguished by the activation of three sprinkler heads before the arrival of the London Fire Brigade. The fire was contained within the five roomed flat on the 3rd floor of the 21 storey building. London FB’s fire investigation team believe the fire was accidental and caused a fault in a lithiumion battery for an E-bike that was on charge.
BAFSA Quote “From July 2021, London FB have attended more than 25 fires involving electric bikes or scooters, resulting in significant incidents, serious injuries”
22: School, Swindon
A fire was discovered within a toilet and cloakroom area on the ground floor of a primary school involving. The ignition of a toilet roll and its plastic holder caused a single sprinkler head to activate, extinguishing the fire and limiting smoke and heat damage.
32 | BAFSA .ORG.UK
On arrival, operational crews from Dorset & Wiltshire FRS found that the fire has been completely extinguished by the sprinkler system, proceeded to assist the school in isolating the system.
Group Manager, Dorset & Wiltshire FRS Tim Gray said “The speed of response from the sprinkler system and its control over the fire growth undoubtedly ensured that fire damage was kept to a minimum allowing the school to re-open within 2 days of the fire with as little disruption to the school as possible and no loss of valuable work or property”
24: School, Ilford
Following a fire in a waste bin located in a changing room of a 3 storey Academy school, one concealed sprinkler head operated suppressing, extinguishing the fire preventing the fire from spreading from the room of origin. Total property area damaged by fire estimated to be under 5 square metres, the cause of the fire is under investigation.
DEC EM BE R 1: Dwelling, St Austell
Following reports of an automatic fire alarm sounding in a 12 storey block of flats, operational crews were mobilised from St Austell Community Fire Station. On arrival, it was identified that a fire had been extinguished by the residential sprinkler system within a flat. One occupant required medical attention due to the effects of smoke inhalation. The fire was contained within the flat preventing further fire spread and flashover. The retrofitting of the sprinkler system included all 67 residential flats, communal areas, laundry room and store shed. The installation was completed in February 2019.
13: High-rise flat, London
A single residential sprinkler head operated extinguishing a fire in the utility room of a 6 roomed split-level flat spanning the 10th and 11th floors. London FB reported that a woman was rescued from a balcony using a fire escape hood and taken to hospital by London Ambulance Service.
17: Warehouse, Gateshead
Tyne and Wear responded to a fire in a warehouse involving a propane gas-powered forklift truck and several wooden pallets. Three sprinkler heads installed in the roof void actuated, extinguishing the fire before the arrival of Tyne & Wear FRS.
“Without the sprinkler system, there would have been significant damage to the business, potential risk of injury to members of staff, firefighters due to the risk of the propane gas-powered forklift truck cylinder exploding, the effect of which would of accelerated the fire allowing it to spread rapidly to the combustible materials located in proximity of the fire.”
24: Recycling plant, London
Six pumping appliances, and 40 firefighters from London FB attended a fire in the loading bay of a 2 storey, commercial recycling unit. Ten members of staff left the property before the arrival of the LFB; two men required hospital treatment. The commercial sprinkler system activated suppressing the fire allowing crews to tackle the incident. The concrete silo containing mixed waste has been identified as the seat of the fire.
