Why we need sprinklers in specialised and supported housing

BAFSA welcomes the recent announcement that sprinklers will be made mandatory in all new residential care homes within England regardless of height from March 2025, but would urge government to make the provision of sprinklers into all new specialised and supported housing mandatory.

A recent fire in a care home in Wales identifies why this is the case. If it was not for the decision taken by the National Assembly for Wales passing new regulations in October 2013 that require a fire sprinkler system to be installed in registered group homes and sheltered housing we could be discussing a different outcome for this incident.

The demographic change in specialised and supported housing population has resulted in an increase in mobility difficulties, reduced sensory capability and cognitive difficulties, all of which bring greater risk from fire, in terms of likelihood of fire and vulnerability in the event of a fire.

The study, analysis of national ¹fire data, an in-depth review of fire-related fatalities and severe casualties in England, 2010/11 to 2018/19 referenced that while there is a lack of recent research on fatal fires, the available studies consistently identified age, the presence of an impairment such as physical disability, smoking, and alcohol use as key factors on the outcome of the fire, as they will be less able to respond to a fire.

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service reported that a fire within an extra care housing scheme was successfully contained, controlled following the activation of one concealed sprinkler head within a flat following a fire involving an electric toaster. The sprinkler system contained and controlled the fire allowing the resident to be rescued from their property by firefighters.

It should be remembered the installation of a life safety sprinkler system is to reduce the rate of heat and smoke, allowing more time for the occupants to escape to safety or be rescued, The provision of a sprinkler system does not neglect the need for other fire practical precautions or provisions where the person is at higher-than-average risk from fire, unable to self-evacuate in the event of a fire

Fire protection is dependent on both passive and active fire systems such as sprinklers working in unison providing a further layer of safety from fire as part of a package of fire safety measures, in reducing the impact of fire on people, firefighters, property and the environment.

This incident provides further evidence that the main functional objectives of a life safety sprinkler system were achieved.

• Reducing the rate of heat and smoke, containing and controlling the fire
• Reducing the likelihood of a fire spreading beyond the room of origin
• Firefighters operated without due risk to either effect rescue or assist evacuation
• Prevent conflagration

Details of incident 

• Date of incident; December 2024.
• Incident; Fire.
• Address; Wales
• Occupancy: Purpose-Specialised Housing (Extra -Care)
• Location of fire; Living room.
• Impact of AFSS; Contained/controlled.
• Number of sprinkler heads operated; one.

Summary of incident 

• Fire crews were mobilised to reports of a confirmed fire following an emergency call received from a remote monitoring telecare provider.
• On arrival the incident commander established that the seat of the fire was within a flat
• Upon entry, firefighters wearing breathing apparatus established that

1. 1 Concealed pendent sprinkler head had activated within the room of origin, containing/controlling the fire.
2. Light smoke staining, fire/heat damage was sustained to the area in vicinity of the seat of the fire where the electric toaster was located

• Firefighting media, 1 hose reel jet was used to extinguish remaining hot spots
• The resident was rescued by fire crews with no injuries reported requiring only a precautionary check.
• In accordance with the premises emergency plan “Stay Put” only the flat of origin required to be evacuated.
• The evacuation strategy for this type of occupancy is such that only those at immediate risk need to escape those in the flat of origin, but those remote and unaffected by the fire can remain in their flats.
• Onsite information was available allowing firefighters to assist in the management of water from the activation of the sprinkler system allowing the isolation of the sprinkler isolation valve.
• The emergency plan allowed the sprinkler system to be reinstated, operational on the same day as the fire by the sprinkler contractor.
• Major protracted incident everted allowing FRS resources to be released, redeployed to attend emergency incidents.

The following advice is intended for building managers, individuals who have responsibility for fire safety within a building.

Premises Emergency Plan

The problem, post fire sprinkler activations reported where buildings have been identified as affected by water egress following the successful activation of the sprinkler system containing, controlling or in some cases extinguishing the fire, predominately due to.

• Poor business continuity management, inadequate onsite emergency planning by the building manager or responsible person for the fire safety arrangements within a building.
• Allowing onsite information to be available for firefighters to interact with the building active fire safety measures namely automatic water fire suppression systems.

There is now a high probability that firefighters will attend a variety of incidents where sprinklers systems are reported as present and having an impact within these types of buildings.

The provision of a robust emergency plan will allow an immediate emergency response to be actioned by the fire rescue service to assist in the management of water from the activation of the sprinkler system following a fire or even following the unlikely likelihood of un-intentional release of water, due to the knock-on effect this can have on a business or occupancy

Debunking the myth that water damage following the actuation of the sprinkler system will be more expensive than the actual damage resulting from the fire.

Reinstatement of the fire protection measures

• It is paramount that fire protection measures in buildings can function effectively in the event of a fire. To achieve this the premises emergency plan should include that arrangements are in place allowing the immediate reinstatement of the sprinkler system.
• It is a requirement of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order for the responsible person to implement the appropriate arrangements for the effective planning, organisation, control, monitoring of the preventive and protective measures.
• Any delay could compromise the safety of the occupants in the event of a further fire within the building due to the sprinkler system being offline.