Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service is supporting National Sprinkler Week, helping to raise awareness of how sprinkler systems can protect people, property, and firefighters. The campaign, established by the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC), has begun and will run until Sunday 22 May, with fire services across the country taking part.
Calls are also being made by the NFCC for government to remedy building regulations in relation to sprinklers, which currently differ across the UK. The NFCC are particularly concerned about new build schools, care homes, and warehousing.
Most effective method
At present, sprinklers are a requirement in new build care homes and schools in Scotland and Wales, but this legislation doesn’t extend to England and Wales, with the NFCC fearing that this could lead to a fire risk for vulnerable people.
Fire sprinklers are widely recognized as the single most effective method for fighting the spread of fires in their early stages. Research carried out by the NFCC and the National Fire Sprinkler Network (NFSN) found that, when in use, sprinklers help to extinguish or contain fires 99% of the time. They also reduce fire-related injuries by at least 80% and property damage by 90%.
Fire safety protections
Fire does not discriminate and is just as dangerous no matter where you are in the UK"
Jonathan Dyson, NFCC Lead for Sprinklers, said: “The evidence speaks for itself; our research proves that sprinklers are very effective and provide strong fire safety protections as part of a fire safety package. Wales and Scotland recognize this and have implemented some measures to make their communities safer from fire; we want to see these same changes in England and Northern Ireland as matter of urgency. Fire does not discriminate and is just as dangerous no matter where you are in the UK.”
Jon Lacey, Chief Fire Officer for Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service, shared why they’re proudly supporting Sprinkler Week once again: “We have seen first-hand how sprinklers can help to control a fire within seconds of it breaking out, protecting not just people and property but also our firefighters.”
Fire safety measures
“For this reason, we would encourage new build non-domestic properties to consider installing a sprinkler system, as these are relatively inexpensive but really do make a difference in keeping communities safe.”
“We are always on hand to provide guidance on sprinklers and other fire safety measures as part of our ongoing protection work, and anyone wishing to benefit from our advice can visit our website to find out more.”
