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Sprinklers – An essential tool in fire engineering design

Sprinklers play a critical role in fire engineering design, especially within construction practices in the UK. As a key component for fire safety, they help mitigate fire risks and protect lives and property. Jon Pagan from International Fire Consultants Ltd emphasizes the importance of integrating sprinkler systems into fire engineering plans. This article explores the functionalities, regulatory considerations, and advancements in sprinkler technology, underscoring their necessity in safeguarding buildings against potential fire hazards.

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Sprinklers – An essential tool in fire engineering design

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  1. Sprinklers – An essential tool in fire engineering design

    Jon Pagan MA(Cantab) CEng MIFireE Director of Fire Engineering International Fire Consultants Ltd www.ifcgroup.com
  2. Introduction Fire engineering more widely used in construction Especially in the UK Fire engineers use all available methods to help design Sprinklers, smoke ventilation, water mist, fire alarm enhancements etc Sprinklers are one of the most beneficial tools to assist fire engineering analyses
  3. Restrictions on use of sprinklers Why aren’t sprinklers used more? Question of whether sprinklers are needed arises on most projects Developers’ response is usually “Can we avoid sprinklers?” WHY? Cost Appearances (visible sprinkler heads) Space for tanks/pumps Concerns re water damage
  4. Cost issues Need for large tanks, pumps, power supplies, distribution pipework Highly expensive Loss of space for tank/pump room
  5. Appearance Architects don’t like to see sprinkler heads Concealed sprinkler heads can usually be used Partially mitigates the concerns But architects would still rather avoid
  6. Concerns re water damage Public perception is of major risk What public see in films etc is: Activated by small amounts of smoke Sets off all sprinklers in building Clearly completely wrong But public perception is usually negative Very few people would pay more for a building that is sprinklered So developers see very little benefits in sprinklers
  7. Insurance Insurers usually recommend sprinklers But usually reduced insurance premiums not enough to justify sprinklers Exceptions are high fire risk buildings, e.g. waste recycling
  8. Common reasons for installing sprinklers 1 – Necessary to comply with guide/code Height Compartment size Etc 2 – Needed for insurance Only really for high fire risk buildings such as waste recycling, some schools etc 3 – As part of fire engineering justification 4 – Other reasons?
  9. Fire engineering Fire safety design guides available for all types of buildings Sometimes hard/impossible to comply with certain issues Fire engineering approaches can be used to justify variations Smoke modelling, evacuation analyses, structural fire engineering, radiation analyses etc Justified case-by-case
  10. Harveys Warehouse, Lutterworth Existing large warehouse in Magna Park Harveysplanned to use it as main distribution base Fitout included: large multi-level mezzanine decks in 2 locations High bay racking throughout rest of building Original design included sprinkler system at roof level fed from site-wide supply system IFC appointed to carry out fire safety design
  11. Problems to deal with Main issues were: High fire load present Long travel distances in main warehouse areas Long travel distances in mezzanine areas Long fire brigade access distances Need for fire protection to mezzanine structure? Smoke ventilation issues Existing sprinkler system supply adequate? Client queried whether we can avoid sprinklers? NO!
  12. Existing 2-storey office New high bay racking New 4-storey mezzanine Future fit-out area
  13. Mezzanine areas Sprinkler system Sprinklers needed throughout the mezzanine Reviewed design and specification of goods to be stored Checked flow rates and sprinkler design criteria needed Checked that the existing supply was adequate Put together technical specification for tender Helped client review tenders
  14. Unprotected (open) stairs Protected (enclosed) stairs
  15. Results Sprinklers were: Expensive Introduce risk of water damage Affected the design But allowed: Travel distance extensions Large multi-level compartment size No fire protection to mezzanine structure No smoke ventilation Improved insurance premiums Building control/fire officer approval
  16. Residential sprinklers Relatively new design standard BS9251 Installations are inexpensive Clients still have concerns about: Cost False alarm water damage Appearance But in the end it usually comes down to either “it’s required” or money
  17. Residential sprinklers Cost of installation low, so only need modest savings to justify QS costing techniques at early stage very rough So can be hard to prove the savings Open plan flats: Improved sale value (debatable) Reduced number of fire doors Cost of sprinklers roughly = 1 fire door Sometimes can reduce the floor area Sprinklers in more new buildings than ever before
  18. Summary Fire engineering will regularly use sprinklers to help design/analysis Highly beneficial and significantly improves safety But the industry still has to address client reservations/concerns Cost, appearance, risk of false alarms
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