British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association Ltd (BAFSA) News

BAFSA has received a belated report of a Sprinkler Save which occurred on 24th November 2021. London Fire Brigade has reported a sprinkler actuation of the Ilford Academy’s sprinkler system following a fire in a waste bin located in a changing room. One concealed sprinkler head operated suppressing, extinguished the fire preventing the fire from spreading from the room of origin. Total property area damaged by fire estimated to be under 5 square meters. The cause of the fire is under inve...

BAFSA’s advice service has recently seen a number of enquiries regarding installation certificates for residential sprinkler systems. BS 9251: 2021 and its previous 2014 iteration talks about ‘compliance certificates’ as a requirement for new sprinkler systems and includes a note saying these should not be confused with ‘certificates of conformity’. Relevant approving body This is because only contractors who are third-party certificated can issue these as the Co...

Tyne & Wear FRS were called to a fire at a warehouse in Gateshead involving a propane gas-powered forklift truck and involving several wooden pallets. Three sprinkler heads installed in the roof void actuated, extinguishing the fire before the arrival of TWFRS Without the sprinkler system, there would have been significant damage to the business, potential risk of injury to members of staff, firefighters at risk of the propane gas-powered forklift truck cylinder exploding, the effect of whi...

In September and October BAFSA hosted two very well attended webinars titled “Towards a greater understanding of BS9251: 2021 (Fire sprinkler systems for domestic and residential occupancies. Code of Practice) & BS EN 14972 Fixed firefighting systems. Water mist systems. Part 1." You may not have chosen to participate but via Dropbox, you can now access the recording of the webinar along with the extensive Q&A sessions. The next webinar is at 10:00 on Tuesday 26th October when...

Working with industry experts, the FPA has published a concise guide for sprinkler owners and specialist sprinkler maintenance contractors to inspect, test and maintain sprinkler systems to meet the required standards. Sprinkler system service and maintenance: guidance, records and checklists is supported and funded by RISCAuthority and is endorsed by the British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association (BAFSA). Maintaining sprinkler systems The guide is freely available to download here and cont...

Rapidrop is the UK manufacturer and supplier of fire sprinkler system products serving the needs of the fire detection and suppression industry worldwide. From their headquarters in Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, Rapidrop manufacture fire sprinkler heads to suit commercial applications. Now exporting to over 75 countries’, Rapidrop provides tailored solutions and dedicated support from a worldwide sales and distribution network. They are proud to have been involved in many prestigious cons...

Fire crews with an aerial ladder were to a kitchen fire on the eighth floor of the city center Lindop Court tower block in Stoke on Trent on 22nd May. A total of five crews attended from Longton, Hanley and Newcastle but the fire, believed to be started in a chip pan, had already been put out by a sprinkler system when firefighters arrived at the scene. 1 concealed sidewall sprinkler had activated. The building had been retrofitted and has a BS 9251 tank and pump system. There were no casualtie...

On the morning of 22nd June a fire has destroyed the only supermarket in Holt in North Norfolk. The shop is run by the Baker family and prides itself on stocking food from local suppliers and running a delivery service for the elderly and local people. The shop, where 82 people work, was closed at the time because it’s been shutting early during the coronavirus pandemic. C T Baker thanked emergency services for their efforts and said there were no reports of any injuries. Automatic fire...

Every fire safety professional choosing to register for this one day, free to attend the seminar, organized by BAFSA and hosted by Staffordshire Fire & Rescue at their HQ in Stone on 18th March, will experience a day packed with information regarding automatic water based fire suppression applications and local case studies; design standards and solutions. All presentations will be delivered by fire sprinklers experts and fire safety practitioners.

The UK government announced further changes to the Building and Fire Safety Standards in England following the tragic Grenfell Tower fire. The changes include automatic fire sprinklers in high rise housing blocks over 11 meters, together with a raft of other fire safety measures. This marks some considerable success for BAFSA who have campaigned for automatic fire sprinklers in all high rise housing for the last fifteen years.

BAFSA one day, free to attend seminars are attracting record numbers. Working closely with host Fire & Rescue Services the dynamic programs, which have both regional and national relevance, are all delivered by BAFSA advisers – all fire sprinkler experts, Fire Officers, practitioners and end users. Seminars in February and March, in St Ives and Stone respectively sold out 3 weeks before the date of the event, and the third seminar of the year in Poole on the 24th is expected to be ful...

Reflecting their strong commitment to people’s development and growth as well as excellence in their business operations, Alberta’s Engineering and Technical Team, has recently undergone training on the design of sprinkler systems. The qualification, developed by the British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association (BAFSA), is aimed at individuals employed in the fire sprinkler industry and is designed to help people employed in installing fire sprinklers to develop the knowledge and co...

Towards the end of 2019, and already in 2020, sprinklers are operating efficiently and effectively saving lives, children’s education, and businesses from fire. Office Block, London Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters were called to reports of a fire in the basement of an office block. The sprinkler system had actuated and helped to suppress the fire which was extinguished in just over an hour. Flat, Croydon A fire in an 8th floor flat in an 11-story building was extinguished...

In response to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, BAFSA can confirm that all college courses L2 Certificate in Fire Sprinkler Installation (Day Release, Block Release and EWR) are postponed until further notice as colleges avoid face to face tuition.

BAFSA is disappointed to report that, along with Staffordshire Fire & Rescue Service and Dorset and Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service & BAFSA, the organizations have made the difficult decision to postpone their joint sprinkler seminars on 18th and 24th March respectively due to the current Covid-19 fears. While disappointing for everyone involved, they have taken this step in line with NFCC guidance as far as reducing the chance of spreading the virus as much as is reasonably practic...

Burnt cooking in the kitchen of a residential block of flats of three floors in Waddon Court Road, was the cause of a fire which, from the limited information provided, was controlled by a Personal Protection system. The fire was all out on arrival with no firefighting action completed by crews. Local enquiries are currently being completed by the local fire safety team. One sprinkler head actuated in the kitchen of a five roomed flat on the 11th floor of a twenty-one story block of flats in Lan...

Automatic fire sprinklers systems are a reliable and effective means of saving lives, protecting firefighters, reducing fire damage and mitigating fire risk, provided the systems are properly designed, installed and maintained. Those responsible for buildings are reminded that even within this challenging situation of COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic. Critical Fire Suppression Systems/Life Safety Protection Systems must be tested and maintained. Postponing these checks, maintenance and servicing m...

The Government announced the implementation date for a number of changes to Approved Document B (ADB), including the requirement for automatic fire sprinklers in all flats above 11 meters, these changes will be required as from 26th November 2020. The change requiring automatic fire sprinklers in all new built flats over 11 meters will significantly increase the use of domestic and residential sprinklers in this sector which has already seen a large increase since the disastrous Grenfell Tower f...

Integrated Fire Safety Systems Ltd, a provider in the design, installation, commissioning, and service of fire safety systems has announces it has attained Loss Prevention Standard (LPS) 1014 certified status. This is part of its ongoing strategy to expand its list of accreditations and certifications and provide customers with the reassurance that they comply with, and correctly manage system design, installation, commissioning and servicing of fire detection and alarm systems. Fire and secur...

Suffolk FRS was mobilized to a commercial Kitchen fire in a unit contained within a multi-occupied Shopping Centre. The BS EN 12845 sprinkler system operated via 1 quick response sprinkler head which not only suppressed but extinguished the fire prior to the arrival of operational crews. Fire/smoke damage was contained to the room of origin, operational crews assisted with salvage and worked extremely hard/well with center staff. The unit of origin was planning to reopen in the afternoon with a...

As part of a continuing campaign, the British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association (BAFSA), Business Sprinkler Alliance, the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) and European Fire Sprinkler Network (EFSN) have been involved in to influence the Review of BB100 Sprinklers in Schools in England. Zurich Municipal analysis of data on over 26,800 schools in England shows the average fire risk in schools is almost double when compared to that of non-residential buildings. Schools in England are nearly...

BAFSA is dedicated to ensuring that sprinkler systems are installed to the highest professional standards. BAFSA has taken full ownership of the responsibility to develop and nurture fire sprinkler installer competence through qualification. The IQ Level 2 Certificate in Fire Sprinkler Installation is accredited by an award body and a nationally recognized qualification. Competence of the installer workforce With independent testing and assessment through college attendance as...

BAFSA, the British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association Ltd is delighted to report that the London Assembly has launched a powerful and comprehensive report calling for the mandatory installation sprinklers in all new homes in England. London Assembly Report In the opening statement of this proposal, Navin Shah, Chair of the London Assembly, stated “We pay our respects to all those who have died in fires in their place of residency and those who’ve been affected. Our thoughts are p...

In its 4th year and ever popular, the BAFSA Golf & Challenge Day is on Thursday 27th June at Mottram Hall. They want to make this a ‘best turn out year ever’ and get more than 100 keen competitors battling it out on the field. All hoping to win a trophy or two and of course attain the title of BAFSA Challenge winners 2019. New surprise Challenges Challenges include Segway Trials; Human Table Football; Archery; Laser Clay Pigeon Shooting; Cornhole plus a few new surprise Challe...

On 21st July, 2020, a call was received by BAFSA (British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association) member, Triangle Fire Systems advising the company of a fire break out in a flat, on the 4th floor at 1-133 Garnet Road, Thornton Heath, in London, United Kingdom. The call was a result of the sprinkler alarm signaling the call center. BS9251 sprinkler system This building is a sheltered housing and Triangle Fire Systems had, retrospectively, installed a BS9251 sprinkler system supplied by a tank an...

On 24th June, BAFSA member RSP Sprinklers Wales received a call out to small block of flats in Cardiff where their sprinkler system successfully extinguished a fire. The call was received at 15.42 hours; their engineer arrived on site at 16.26 hours and had the block fully protected again at 16.54 hours. The fire had started on an external balcony, igniting a gas canister which exploded and set off the sprinkler inside the flat. The sprinkler successfully extinguished the fire both inside the...

Discussions with architects, developers and others, as well as main contractors when discussing areas of a sprinklered building frequency relate to areas where sprinkler protection can be omitted. One concern often raised with the British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association (BAFSA) is the possibility of injury or damage when sprinkler protection is installed in electrical utility rooms.  BS 5306 Part 0 standards The forthcoming iteration of BS 5306 Part 0 standards contains advice on the...

The government announced the publication of its response to the consultation it undertook on ADB, publishing at the same time an amendment to ADB that ‘extends the provision of sprinklers in blocks of high-rise residential buildings to those buildings with a top floor height of 11 meters above ground level’. New guidance on consistent wayfinding signage This announcement also contained ‘new guidance on consistent wayfinding signage’ for fire and rescue service (FRS) per...

Around 200 delegates from the building and design industries in the United Kingdom region and beyond attended a one-day business seminar themed - “Sprinklers Save Lives” on providing a fire resilient environment for everyone. It was held at The Burgess Hall in St Ives, United Kingdom.  “Sprinklers Save Lives” seminar Organized by BAFSA (British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association Ltd.) in collaboration with, and hosted by, Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service, t...

The BAFSA Executive have now written to its members and outlined immediate action as a result of the Coronavirus outbreak. BAFSA (British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association Ltd.) announced in a statement that they will continue to work within the current Government guidelines (both national and devolved) throughout this COVID19 pandemic outbreak. They have provided links below to HM Government advice, Scottish Government advice, Welsh Government advice and Northern Ireland Government advice we...