BAFSA (British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association) is without doubt the UK's leading support organisation for fire sprinkler installers, distributors, fire sprinkler manufacturers and safety professionals. Their web site at www.bafsa.org.uk provides a wealth of information and should be a must read for any and all businesses concerned with fire safety.
To illustrate the benefits of automatic sprinklers the BAFSA website includes regular updates on successful fire stops where sprinklers have prevented or minimised fire damage. In one of their latest posts on successful fire stops in the London area I was struck by the number of incidents involving clothing. In fact out of six fire sprinkler fire stops reported in the first quarter of this year no fewer than 5 involved clothing if you include the laundry in Brent, North of the Thames.
Begs the question how in blazes a fire can start in a clothing rack in the first place. Cigarettes are banned and spontaneous combustion seems unlikely so it remains a mystery to me.
We have all witnessed those annoyingly inaccurate and negative portrayals of fire sprinklers you see in many movies and TV dramas - you know - the ones where the hero lights a fire in a teacup and activates every sprinkler head in the building.
Well in reality the fire was controlled by just one sprinkler head in virtually all the cases reported. Containing the fire to a small area makes the job of the Fire service that much safer and easier and has the added benefit of minimising fire related damage to the remaining building and its contents including water damage inflicted by the fire and rescue service.
Modern Concealed Head fire sprinklers are available with cover plates to blend with any decor and colour scheme and with pipe work also hidden in the ceiling voids the argument that they are unsightly. Clearly on the evidence available if your next business venture is opening a chic boutique in Carnaby Street then installing fire sprinklers should be high on your to-do list.
