In recent weeks there have been several devastating fires on premises which did not have the benefit of sprinkler protection. Less widely publicised, have been the following incidents where the installation of sprinklers have saved lives and businesses :
NOVEMBER
10 : Student accommodation, London
Four fire engines were called to a fire in a communal kitchen on a seventh floor in a student accommodation block in Stratford.
Around 200 people were evacuated before the fire brigade arrived on the scene and the sprinkler system had suppressed the fire.
An LFB spokesman said “Sprinklers are the only fire safety system which detect a fire, suppresses a fire and raises the alarm”
11 : Shopping centre, London
A fire in a service area on the second floor of Westfield Shopping Centre in Stratford, was controlled and extinguished by the sprinkler system preventing thousands of pounds worth of damage to the building and the businesses inside. Three fire engines and 14 firefighters attended the scene and thousands of people were evacuated with two treated for minor injuries.
An LFB spokesperson said : “Sprinklers are proven to save lives and property and also allow businesses to get back to normal as soon as possible by minimising disruption”.
12 : Store car park, Morpeth
A deliberate fire occurred in some rubbish stored in a car park area of a large retail store in Morpeth. Fortunately the area was protected by the store’s sprinkler system and this activated to control/extinguish the fire.
DECEMBER
5 : Underground car park, London
London Fire Brigade were called to a report of fire in a 30m x15m underground service car park at an 11 storey apartment block in Lime Harbour, E14. This is part of Baltimore Wharf, a site of 12 buildings and the Arena tower of 46 floors. The 12 buildings are mixed commercial and residential with some affordable housing. The apartments in this block are fitted with a BS9251 sprinkler system
The fire occurred in a refuse truck that was completing collections in the B2 car park (sub sub basement).
Fortunately the area was covered also by a sprinkler system fed from towns mains and a sprinkler head above the fire activated controlling the fire. The fire was contained within refuse vehicle due to the sprinkler activation.
4 appliances were mobilised and LFB personnel used 2 hose-reels and one jet to ensure the fire was fully extinguished resulting in a recycling lorry carrying three commercial wheelie bins being partly damaged by fire 5%. Reports indicate no damage to the underground car-park concrete construction nor apparent smoke damage or water damage from sprinkler activation. There was minimal business disruption.
