Commercial sprinkler system saves local business
Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service is promoting the installation of sprinkler systems in commercial premises. Sprinklers play a positive role in protecting life, reducing the economic and environmental cost of fire in any building they are installed in.
Recently a sprinkler system saved a local business from potentially severe losses following a fire at a commercial building. The fire, which started on the ground floor of the premises, was quickly dealt with by the activation of the sprinkler system and by operational firefighters using compressed air foam, jets and wearing breathing apparatus.
On arrival, smoke was issuing from the whole length of the building. However, the premises’ sprinkler system activated at the designed early stage, containing the fire before it was allowed to fully develop. In total three sprinklers heads operated within the ground and first floor areas of the building. As a result of this early intervention, the fire damage was restricted to a small area on the ground floor.
The estimated potential cost of damage to the building and stock minus the sprinklers would have been over £2 million pounds. Instead, the clean-up and damage costs have totalled around £20,000.
Station Manager Wayne Rawlins said: “I believe that without the sprinklers the entire building and contents would have been lost. Instead, the fire damage was restricted to one corner of a few metres square.
“The beneficial aspects of sprinklers were evident at the incident, consequently reducing the potential loss and damage whilst improving business continuity through the minimum impact of the fire. There is clear evidence that sprinklers can be effective in rapidly controlling and stopping the spread of fires.”
Sprinklers can:
- be installed in both new and existing buildings
- be installed in domestic premises as well as commercial buildings
- reduce fire deaths and fire related injuries
- reduce the risk to firefighters
- reduce the damage to property by fire and water – only the sprinklers in an affected room will operate in a fire
- protect property and heritage
- reduce the effects of arson
- reduce the environmental impact of fire
- reduce the cost and disruption to the community and business.
Further information on sprinklers is available on the Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue website at: www.dsfire.gov.uk/YourSafety/SafetyAtWorkandotherplaces/Sprinklers/
