Residential

In the UK each year there are around 45,000 fires in dwellings and while many of these involve damage which is little more serious than the need to repaint the kitchen it must be remembered that more than 600 people have died in fires in their home in the UK every year since 1945. The introduction of smoke alarms in the late 1970s has helped to reduce some of this appalling death toll but even the best estimates suggest that only around 20 -30 lives are saved by early warning. It is only when one examines the details of these tragic fires that one can begin to understand why it is that only active systems like sprinklers can prevent domestic tragedies. A disproportionate number of the very young, the very old, the disabled and - it has to be said, those affected by drugs and alcohol - are the people whose deaths feature in this grim annual tally.

One other group also features in the list of the most vulnerable and that is those who live in shared accommodation - sometimes known as ‘homes in multiple occupation’ or HMO's. One calculation suggests that someone living in an HMO is eight times more likely to die in a fire than someone living in a single family dwelling.

In the case of social housing, care premises, homes in multiple occupation, hostels and similar properties there now clear arguments that sprinklers offer the best chance of preventing deaths should a fire occur. A new British Standard (BS:9251 2005) gives guidance for the design sprinkler systems in this type of accommodation.

Further details can be found in the technical library.

In domestic and residential dwellings wet systems should be specified in these premises. These systems are the simplest, easiest to maintain and are also the most cost effective. Pipework can be in copper, steel or in CPVC (chlorinated polyvinyl chloride) which is approved for this purpose. If water pressure and flow are adequate then it is possible that the sprinkler system can be connected (subject the approval of the water authority) directly to the cold water main where it enters the dwelling. Where tanks and pumps are demanded because the flow or pressure are inadequate these can be sourced from a range of companies who manufacture approved and certificated equipment and often small enough to fit into a cupboard.

It would be wise to select a contractor who is not only capable and competent but who also has an established track record and who can offer proof of compliance with an established quality assurance system.

Argus have the expertise and competence to complete any installation in to such properties which means that Argus are the preferred fire engineering contractor for sprinkler installation in residential and domestic properties.

For any further information regarding this product please either visit our technical library or contact us.