| FIRE PUTS BRANSTON IN A PICKLE | |
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Events on Tuesday October 26th certainly “brought out the Branston” but not in quite the way the management intended. Heat from a halogen light appears to have ignited plastic packaging and the resulting fire has shut the factory. Because of the severity of the blaze it took over 150 firefighters most of the night to contain it and has put the 300 staff out of work indefinitely. Fortunately no one was hurt, however this was only luck. The simple installation of a fire sprinkler system would have prevented all of this. 150 firefighters would not have needed to risk their lives and the 300 staff would not be out of work. Premier Foods would still be producing Branston pickle and the environment would be that much cleaner. |
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When will this country wake up to the real dangers of fire and require high risk facilities like these to be properly protected from fire? Moreover when will we insist on proper protection for the workforce, firefighters and community? Don’t get in a pickle - fit sprinklers!
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| COUNCIL DECIDES AGAINST SPRINKLERS DESPITE MAYFIELD FIRE | |
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On the same day that Cambridgeshire's Chief Fire Officer Tom Carroll called for sprinklers to be installed in all new schools, local Councillors decided not to put sprinklers into a new school citing cost as the reason. At just 2% of total building costs, fire sprinklers would prevent the devastation shown below. Not only will it cost an estimated £2million to rebuild Mayfield school, it will seriously disrupt the education of all the pupils; some of whom may continue to be affected through to GCSEs. Worse still would have been the situation had there been any casualties. Thankfully there were none - but for how much longer will be so lucky? According to the Arson Prevention Bureau, at the current rate a school can on average expect to experience a fire once every 8 years. Councillors in Cambridge quoted a cost for the sprinkler system of £100,000. You don't need the maths teacher to work out that the ratio of loss to cost is 20:1. Had the Council installed a sprinkler system at Mayfield they would have saved the rate payers a fortune. |
No to sprinklers: Coun Keith Walters |
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However the savings do not stop there. Zurich Municipal Insurance will discount the insurance premium for schools with sprinklers by 75% and remove the excess (normally £100,000) entirely. Zurich estimates this means a school sprinkler system will be paid for within 10 years on insurance savings alone. It is also worth considering this excess of £100,000. Mayfield school was hopefully insured, however the Council will probably have to foot the first £100,000 of the cost of rebuilding. Perhaps the maths teacher at Mayfield should give the Council a lesson. Either spend £100,000 on a sprinkler system now and protect the school and its pupils forever, or waste at least £100,000 rebuilding the school sometime in the future. The way the odds are stacked it really would seem to be a “no brainer”. |
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SPRINKLERS COULD HAVE SAVED MAYFIELD SCHOOL, CLAIMS CAMBRIDGE FIRE CHIEF. |
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Almost half the school in Warwick Road, Cambridge, was destroyed in Sunday night's fire, causing damage estimated at £2million. Now chief fire officer Tom Carroll has called for sprinklers to be fitted in all schools, saying a system would have contained Sunday's fire at source. At the moment only one school in Cambridgeshire, The Harbour School at Wilburton, for children with emotional and behavioural difficulties, has a sprinkler system. As a residential school it is required to have one fitted. |
Extent of wreckage can been seen from above |
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Cambridgeshire County Council said it would consider installing a scheme during the rebuilding of Mayfield Primary School but the cost would prevent the council introducing them across the board. Mr Carroll said: "The fire and rescue service believes sprinklers play a pivotal role in fire prevention and would contain fires at source, even fires as severe as the one on Sunday. "Sprinklers are by far the most effective and efficient way of protecting our school buildings and the lives of those either in the schools or called upon to fight the fires. |
101 firefighters were needed to tackle the blaze |
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"We must also take into account the other devastation caused by such fires with the loss of children's schoolwork, teachers' records and work, and the disruption of school and family life, while alternative arrangements are put into place." The fire service estimates a sprinkler system costs less than 2 per cent of the total build cost of a new school. Mr Carroll said there should be "a mandatory requirement" for new schools to be fitted with sprinklers. A county council spokesman said: "We have just opened the new Lantern School in Ely and we were told it would cost £100,000 to install a system in what is a small primary school. "We have 250 schools, of which 31 are large secondary schools. If you multiply 250 by £100,000 that still would not be enough. "It's a huge operation and very expensive. Installing a sprinkler system in a new school might be sustainable but putting systems in 250 schools at the same time is prohibitive in terms of cost. There's no Government money to do this." The cause of the fire is still not known. Sunday's blaze was the second major fire at the school in the last year.
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ALARMING INCREASE IN FIRE CASUALTIES IN 2003 |
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Provisional statistics show an alarming increase in the number of fires casualties and overall number of fires in 2003. The estimated total number of fire deaths recorded rose to 616 in 2003 from 562 in 2002. Of these, 446 deaths occurred in dwelling fires compared with 430 in the previous year. The number of injuries in fires fell by 7% to 15,500 from 16,600 in 2002. Injuries in dwelling fires fell by 7% to 12,500. There were 619,800 fires in 2003, although major fires involving property and vehicles fell by 4%, Government figures show. |
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WALSALL COUNCIL LAUNCHES GRANT SCHEME TO MAKE RENTED HOUSES SAFER
Private landlords could get a £1,500 grant to improve fire safety in their properties in a new scheme launched by West Midlands Fire Service and Walsall Council. The aim is to provide alternatives to traditional methods of fire safety by encouraging landlords to install domestic sprinkler systems. The scheme, which begins on Thursday, is offering private landlords financial help of up to £1,500 per property.
Walsall Mayor Councillor Mike Bird said: "This scheme is aimed at what the council considers 'high risk' multiple occupancy properties. We are determined to ensure landlords take their fire safety responsibility seriously so tenants can have peace of mind in their home. I also sincerely hope major developers will take the opportunity of installing sprinkler systems."
John Brown, Assistant Chief Fire Officer for West Midlands Fire Service, said: "Fire can strike anywhere at any time and the fire service spends much of its time educating people on how to stay safe in their homes. This scheme reinforces the message that landlords have a duty to ensure their homes are safe for tenants. According to well-documented figures, no one has ever died in the UK from a fire in a property where a domestic sprinkler system had been installed. By signing up to this scheme landlords may be helping to save lives."
Interested parties should call 01922 616254 or email privatesector@walsall.gov.uk.
LIBRARY BUILDING ENGULFED IN FIRE A library and all its contents have been destroyed by fire after flames engulfed the Victorian building and the roof collapsed. Over 100 firefighters fought the blaze as 16 fire engines were called to the scene in Guildford Lawn, Ramsgate, just after 2130 BST on Friday. Fire crews were called after flames were seen raging through the building, a spokesman said.Crews arrived at the library from nearby Ramsgate fire station to find the fire was already well-established and was spreading into the roof, which later collapsed.
MANY DEAD IN PARAGUAY SHOP FIRE At least 215 people have died in a fire at a shopping centre in Paraguay's capital, Asuncion, reports say. Police say the number of known dead is continuing to rise as firefighters bring charred bodies out of the debris. The blaze started at midday local time when the Ycua Bolanos centre was packed with several hundred Sunday shoppers.
FSA JOINS EUROFEU It was announced on July 26th that the FSA's application to join EUROFEU has been successful and the FSA will be taking up its Membership from August 1st.
LATEST FSA NEWSLETTER PUBLISHED Click here to download Adobe pdf file.
FIRE AT HARMONDSWORTH DETENTION CENTRE A serious disturbance was reported yesterday evening at the Harmondsworth Asylum Detention Centre following the apparent suicide of a man. Fires were deliberately lit inside the building, causing damage and threatening the lives of detainees. Fortunately the centre was fitted with a fire sprinkler system, and so the fire was not able to take hold and lives were not put at risk.
This is not the first fire in an asylum centre. In February 2002 detainees started fires at the Yarl's Wood Centre in Bedfordshire, which was NOT fitted with sprinklers despite recommendations by the Fire Service. The fire totally destroyed the new centre and causing damage estimated at £38m.
THE FSA's TECHNICAL DIRECTOR ROY YOUNG WINS THE PRESTIGIOUS HARRY MARRYATT AWARD
The award, which recognises a lifetimes' dedication to the international advancement of the fire sprinkler concept, was presented to Roy at the 5th International Fire Sprinkler Conference in Berlin on July 9th. The FSA is proud that Roy chooses to continue his work through this association and congratulates him on this well-earned award.
Paying tribute to Roy, Sir George Pigot said "Roy has dedicated his life to promoting the cause of fire sprinklers. The FSA is immensely pleased that he has at long last been publicly recognised. Without Roy the FSA would not have been able to get where it is today. Also I must say a special thank you to Roy for his unwavering support and advice over the years. He has been an inspiration and support to me both personally and professionally."
The Harry Marryatt award has been named after a man who devoted a lifetime in pursuit of fire safety. His career began in 1920’s Australia and spanned over eight decades. He is credited with one of earliest residential fire sprinkler efforts, sprinklering a home in the Melbourne area in 1944. more & pictures
BERLIN INTERNATIONAL FIRE SPRINKLER CONFERENCE "HUGE SUCCESS"
The 5th International Fire Sprinkler Conference in Berlin, held on July 8th - 9th in Berlin, was the most successful yet, attracting more than 200 delegates and 24 exhibitors from over 20 European countries. This year's theme was the "Emerging Recognition of Fire Sprinklers" - especially in the European arena.
Papers were presented by some 30 speakers from across Europe and North America. The conference was especially successful in bringing together sprinkler interests within Europe.
The event was organised by the International Fire Sprinkler Association's Managing Director John Viniello and his team. Alan Brinson of the European Fire Sprinkler Network chaired the first day of the conference, whilst the Fire Sprinkler Association's Chief Executive Sir George Pigot chaired the second.
The first conference in this series was held in Edinburgh in 1990 and was intended to be repeated every 4 years. However interest in sprinklers has escalated to such an extent that delegates at the Prague conference in 2002 demanded that the frequency be increased to every 2 years. more and pictures
YET ANOTHER SCHOOL DESTROYED BY FIRE In a suspected arson attack, fire has completely destroyed a secondary school near Rugby, Warwickshire. The Fire Service have stressed that sprinklers would undoubtedly have saved the school from total devastation. Its 900 pupils will now have to be taught in temporary facilities. Press Release
FSA LAUNCHES INSURANCE SCHEME FOR INSTALLERS The FSA has negotiated a special scheme to cover Members for Liability Insurance. Rates are very competitive and cover is available immediately. Please contact the office for details.
FSA MEMBERS' MEETING & BUILDING CONTROL SEMINAR JULY 6TH Members are reminded that the FSA will be holding a Members' Meeting on July 6th and you should have received details by now. As a change from our usual format we will also be holding a Building Control seminar In the afternoon following lunch. We are fortunate to have Peter Chilvers from Local Authority Building Control Services together with the new Building Regulations policy advisor of the LGA. If you wish to attend but have not received an invitation please contact the office asap.
ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL FIRE STOP BY RESIDENTIAL SPRINKLER SYSTEM On Friday June 4th a residential sprinkler system operated and extinguished a fire in the kitchen of a house in Greenock. Strathclyde Fire Brigade attended and turned off the sprinkler system, which had extinguished the fire.
FIRST SPRINKLER OPERATION AT STUDLEY GREEN It has been reported that on June 5th a fire in a garden shed spread to the back door of a detached 4 bed dwelling on the Studley Green estate in Trowbridge Wilts, which had been fitted with a residential sprinkler system.
One domestic sprinkler operated in the kitchen, preventing the fire from entering the kitchen and limiting the fire to the doorframe and door. The UPVC door was totally destroyed but the only damage to the kitchen was from smoke.
Fire Service personnel reported that the sprinkler undoubtedly saved the ground floor, and probably the whole house, from being destroyed by the fire. Nobody was in the property at the time of the fire. A fire investigation is still in progress, but it is believed that the fire was caused by children playing with cigarettes and matches in the shed.
This is the first operation of a fire sprinkler system on the Studley Green estate since it was completed in 1999. The Residential Sprinkler Systems were installed by a consortium set up by the Residential Sprinkler Association and funded by the Fire Sprinkler Industry.
This operation of the sprinkler system clearly demonstrates the value of residential sprinkler systems and shows how effective they are in mitigating the dangers of fire. Press Release
WATER POLICY DOCUMENT PUBLISHED The FPA has published the protocol document "Guidelines for the Supply of Water to Fire Sprinkler Systems", which was launched at the House of Commons on May 25th. The document sets out how water should be supplied to all types of fire sprinkler system following the recent agreement between the Fire Sprinkler industry and the Water Industry.
The RSA (now the FSA) began this initiative as a result of problems experienced during the Studley Green project in 1998. More recently Jim Knight MP, Chairman of the Fire Protection Association Council, revived the initiative through the National Fire Sprinkler Network. We are pleased that this initiative has now born fruit and we commend the document all concerned. You can download a copy of the document here.
FSA PUBLISHES ITS APPRAISAL OF THE ODPM/BRE PROJECT "Effectiveness of sprinklers in residential premises"
The FSA has produced an appraisal of the recent ODPM/BRE report "Effectiveness of sprinklers in residential premises". In short the FSA welcomes the report in that it provides UK data on the performance of residential sprinklers, which corroborates 30 years of evidence available from other countries and brings to a close a period of uncertainty. However the report is flawed in several respects in that it failed to look at concealed and sidewall sprinklers, there were a number of anomalies in the way the work was undertaken, especially in regard to DD252, and the data used to calculate the cost benefit analysis is not supported by international statistics, made no allowance for design freedoms, and is therefore unduly pessimistic. read report
SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE PUBLISHES SPRINKLER CONSULTATION PAPER The Scottish Executive has published its promised consultation paper on its proposal to make sprinklers mandatory in new care homes, high rise residential and other high risk property. Comments are required by July 26th. The FSA, as the leading proponent for residential sprinklers, has been invited to respond and we would welcome Member's comments. However Members are encouraged to make their own representations where appropriate. Read paper
TONY MARLOW JOINS FSA The FSA is pleased to announce that Tony Marlow will be joining its staff as from mid April. Tony, who is well known within the Industry, will bring a wealth of knowledge of the design and installation of commercial and industrial sprinkler systems, and of the LPS1048 certification scheme. Together with Roy Young the FSA will now have a first class technical team to provide Industry representation and advice to Members.
SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE PASSES SPRINKLER LAW Scottish Executive announces new law requiring sprinklers in high-risk residential properties. This follows the work done by Michael Matheson MSP to introduce a Bill to require sprinklers, which the FSA has been actively supporting. The FSA now urges the UK Parliament to follow this important initiative with legislation for rest of the UK. more Press Release
See Archive 3 for more
