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We have the experience………..
About 70% of the inquiries that we receive are from customers who have had no involvement with domestic or residential systems in the past and frequently were unaware that such domestic systems even existed.
We have been offering a solution to the problem for years…………
Virtually every enquiry that we receive has been initiated because there is a problem satisfying some part of the Approved document B requirements of the Building Regulations. Furthermore, the problem has often only been recognised late in the build program and the Building Control Officer has suggested that a domestic or residential fire sprinkler system would alleviate the problem. The following is a list of the more common problems that are alleviated by means of a fire sprinkler system.
A typical valve set in a cupboard
- Limited access for a fire tender: This is probably the most common use of a domestic fire sprinkler system as the 10 minute minimum run duration for the system provides extra time for Fire crews to extend their hoses prior to tackling the fire.
- Open stairways: where a stairwell from a newly converted loft discharges into an open plan lounge there is often a requirement for a protected means of escape by constructing a stud wall from the foot of the staircase to the front or rear door of the premises.
- Alternative means of escape where the occupied space is more then7.5M high
- Compartmentation between different purpose groups: fire resistance between shops and flats above them can be reduced by utilizing a fire sprinkler system.
- Inner rooms. NHBC sponsored Research has concluded that : open plan flats with a sprinkler system (in accordance with BS 92514 or BS EN 12845,13 as appropriate) and an enhanced detection system (LD1 system in accordance with BS 5839-63) can provide a level of safety that is at least as good as that of a similar AD B compliant design.
The first questions that need an answer:
- Does the property require a full or partial domestic fire sprinkler suppression system? BS 9251 states that (other than some small exceptions) sprinkler protection should be provided in all parts of the building except bathrooms below 5m² and cupboards with a floor area less than 2m². However, relaxations to this are frequently granted by the BCO. Because these relaxations to BS 9251 are at the discretion of the BCO it is difficult for us to offer anything more than advise based on empirical evidence. It is therefore very important to find out what level of protection is required.
- What type of water supply do we require?Again, water company’s policies on domestic fire sprinkler supplies
a concealed fire sprinkler head
vary considerably and our considerable experience in this matter enables us to provide advice based on current trends. As a rule of thumb however, it is unusual to be able to incorporate an existing water supply into a retro-fit domestic fire sprinkler system because of the high flows associated with these systems. Generally, the choice is between a new water supply and a storage system. The cost of a fire sprinkler storage system often compares favorably with the cost and disruption involved in providing a new supply. Most domestic fire sprinkler systems for new build properties can be run direct from the town mains supply providing that the issue is addressed early in the build process.
- At what point do I instruct a Fire Sprinkler contractor? The sprinkler system design will need to be submitted to the BCO prior to the installation and we advise our customers to obtain confirmation in writing to any deviations to the British Standard BS9251 granted by the BCO. Generally, the fire sprinkler installers would need to be instructed before the electrician and plumbing trades because of the factors.
- At what point in the build does the Fire Sprinkler Installation start? The installation follows the same process as any plumbing or electrical work. There is a first fix, a second fix and a commissioning stage. Because of the high flow rates associated with domestic fire sprinkler systems, the pipe work can be marginally larger than normal plumbing pipe sizes and rather than copper, an American ‘fire proof plastic’ system is widely used throughout the UK.
