Sprinklers

HUMBERSIDE FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE support the installation of all Automatic Water Suppression Systems (AWSS) in our drive to support our Service Corporate strapline ‘Safer Firefighters;Safer Communities’.







AWSS include both water sprinkler and water mist systems.

Our personnel are committed to increasing AWSS ownership in both legislative and advisory capacities in all types of premises, both commercial and private. We will continue to work in partnership with all interested parties in the research, development and installation of new and innovative systems to protect:

Each application for sprinkler installation will be based upon its merits on a case by case basis. The use of sprinklers does not obviate the need for other fire precautions such as an effective fire alarm system or passive fire resisting features such as fire walls and fire doors.

Should you wish to install a AWSS sprinkler system in your house or commercial premises please contact the Technical Fire Safety Section, in the first instance, at Humberside Fire and Rescue Service Headquarters, Summergroves Way, Hessle HU4 7BB or telephone on 01482 565333.

AWSS Facts

Did You Know That...
AWSS are used more than any other fixed fire protection system and over 40 million are fitted worldwide each year. AWSS systems have been proven in use for well over 100 years. Possibly the oldest in Britain was fitted in 1812 at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in London. The system (in its updated form) is still in use today. Losses from fires in buildings protected with AWSS are estimated to be 1/10 of those in unprotected buildings. In buildings fully protected by AWSS sprinklers:
How Do AWSS Work...

All areas of the building to be protected are covered by a grid of pipes with sprinklers fitted into them at regular intervals. Water from a tank via pumps or the town’s mains (if it can give enough flow) fill the pipes.

Each AWSS sprinkler head will open when it reaches a specific temperature and spray water onto a fire. Only the sprinklers affected by the fire operate. All others remain closed. This limits any damage to areas where there is an actual fire and reduces the amount of water used.

AWSS sprinkler heads are generally spaced (usually on the ceiling) so that if one or more operate there is always a sufficient flow of water. The flow is calculated to ensure there is sufficient water to control a fire. Factors considered include size, construction, goods stored and the general use of the building.

Different AWSS systems are used for different buildings, ie.:

AWSS Applications

Introduction

While AWSS sprinklers have been used for the protection of commercial properties such as factories, warehouses and department stores for over 130 years there is now a growing recognition of their effectiveness in improving levels of life safety in other types of buildings. The latest version of Approved Document B (in support of the Building Regulations) incorporates clear recognition of the value of sprinklers in improving levels of safety for occupants as well as preventing the spread of fire. Other developments have demonstrated the value of sprinklers in providing additional levels of safety to firefighters in large, complex structures or in buildings where the fire load is excessive. With the latest fast response sprinkler heads there is clear evidence that, even in the compartment of origin in a fire, occupants of sprinklered buildings enjoy a significant additional measure of life safety.

Life Safety and Property Protection

There is a growing consensus that sprinklers offer a highly cost effective way of reducing the UK’s fire death toll and are an accepted life safety measure. Their positive effect can often be most clearly seen when considering that it is often the most vulnerable members of our society who die in fires - the very young, the very old, the disabled or infirm as well as those who use drugs or alcohol unwisely. Sprinklers can especially benefit these groups, as well as society in general through less fires/deaths/injuries.

In the cases of social housing, care premises, houses in multiple occupation and many similar properties there are now clear arguments that AWSS sprinklers offer a greatly improved chance of preventing deaths should a fire occur. Sprinklers also protect the building itself by reducing the fire size and severity. This improves business continuity for many premises, including schools as well as reducing environmental damage to the surrounding area.

  1. Benefits for Designers and Builders

    The installation of AWSS provides additional flexibility for achieving compliance with Building Regulations. Existing or proposed unconventional or unusual buildings (including the open plan type designs often favoured by designers and applicants) will all typically benefit from AFSS installation. Even in a ‘standard’ type design conventional means of escape, compartmentation or fire service access guidelines may be extended accordingly. As a result, ongoing maintenance costs for such items as fire door sets and self closing devices may be reduced from the building’s future maintenance budgets.

    The installation of AWSS will also typically benefit the occupiers Fire Risk Assessment, which is a mandatory requirement of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Only single private domestic dwellings are currently exempt from the Order.


  2. Business Continuity Plans


  3. A possible reduction in insurance premiums


  4. Environmental damage by reducing and effect of pollution to air, land or water courses.


Standards for Installation

AWSS can be installed using various standards. BS 9251 : 2005 covers the installation of sprinklers for residential and domestic occupancies.

Water mist type AFSS can be utilised in many applications which are covered by the British Standard Specifications. At present, no full British Standard exists for water mist systems. Work in this area is ongoing and was nearing completion at the end of 2009. However there are a number of very high standards for the design and use of these systems from the USA, Australia/New Zealand and the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).

Types of System

While there are a range of different types of systems used in a range of premises it is considered that only wet systems should be specified in domestic premises. Pipework can generally be in copper, steel or CPVC (chlorinated polyvinyl chloride) which is approved for the purpose. If water pressure and flow are adequate then it is possible that the system may be connected to the water main entering the premises - subject to the approval of the Water Authority. Approved tanks or pumps are required where this is not practicable.

System Design and Installation

It is considered best practice to select a contractor who is capable and competent but who can also offer proof of compliance with an established quality assurance system. For example they could hold a relevant approval (registration or certification) from a third party certification service which is accredited by the Government-approved body the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS).

Conclusions

  1. No one in the UK has ever died as a result of a fire in a building with a working AWSS.


  2. AWSS buildings prevent firefighters’ deaths and injuries.


  3. US experience shows around 98% of all fires in sprinklered dwellings are extinguished with only one sprinkler head operating.


  4. Only AWSS heads in the immediate vicinity of the fire actually operate.


  5. AWSS heads can be completely concealed.


  6. AWSS heads do not cause false alarms - they will only operate in the event of a fire.


  7. Maintenance costs for AWSS systems are low.


  8. AWSS save lives and property as well as detecting and extinguishing the fire and raising an alarm.


  9. Despite many misconceptions, AWSS systems are not difficult, unsightly or expensive to install in homes or dwellings of any size or layout.


  10. Only AWSS head(s) directly affected by fire will operate in the event of a fire - not necessarily the whole room, floor or building, despite previous media misrepresentations.


Should you wish to install an Automatic Water Suppression System in your home or commercial premises then in the first instance please contact the Technical Fire Safety Section, Humberside Fire and Rescue Service Headquarters, Summergroves Way, Hessle, HU4 7BB, telephone number 01482 565333.

Is Your Business Ready?

From the 1st October 2006 Fire Safety Law has changed. The following links provide information on how this affects your business.