Sprinkler Save : School, Northumberland
A fire which appeared to have broken out in a CAD laser cutter (still under fire investigation) in a design classroom at the Bede Academy North in Blyth caused smoke detectors and break glass call points to activate, prior to the sprinkler system operating and containing the fire to the room of origin.
Following the redirection of the sprinkler head access to the ground floor corridor was restricted to FRS and staff who were instigating clean up operation.
Approximately 1 hour after the fire the school was returning to ‘normal’ business, with the ground floor corridor sprinkler area isolated and the remaining parts of the premises covered with fire sprinkler protection again. In the afternoon the sprinkler head had been repaired by a sprinkler engineer and the whole system was in operation again.
The school utilised the tannoy system to commence evacuation, as per procedures due to the built in delay to the fire alarm system
Firefighting crews were involved in the placement of booms inside the building and redirecting the activated sprinkler head to the exterior of the premises to prevent any further water damage. A full fire investigation is being undertaken to confirm the cause of the fire.