ONGOING UPDATES: Fires in Recycling Plants: Is it time legislation is reviewed?

Posted on May 20, 2011 by admin

Fires at recycling plants appear to be on the increase.  Many of these fires impact on the local environment and economies as well as the recycling businesses themselves.  There have been many occasions now when local residents are asked to evacuate the vicinity; often roads or rail can be affected too.  Instances of asbestos in the environment and acrid smoke are commonplace.  Is it time that legislation is reviewed?

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Posted in Industrial, News | 15 Comments

Sprinklers Stop Fire: UYT Limited, Canley, Coventry

Posted on May 10, 2012 by admin

A fire sprinkler system assisted in stopping the spread of a major fire at a car components manufacturing facility in Canley near Coventry.

The fire originated in a mezzanine level electrical switchroom measuring 20m x 20m, which was protected by MJC’s. These activated and operated cut-off sprinkler heads located over the switchroom entrance doorways.  The sprinkler system successfully contained the fire within the switchroom until Warwickshire Fire & Rescue Service intravened to extinguish the blaze.

Vij Randeniya, chief fire officer, said: “I am delighted with the speed and efficiently demonstrated by my firefighters and fire control staff.

“The fact that we were able to mobilise so quickly and tackle this fire within such a short space of time really is great news, not only for the factory’s owners and workers, but the local community as a whole.

“I am also delighted to hear that a sprinkler system was installed at the premises. This, alongside a skilled firefighting response, played a significant role in minimising the impact and spread of the fire.”

Sean Moore, West Midlands Fire Service operations commander, said the fire was caused by a transformer.  Incidents like this are very rare but there was a very good safety system in place and the evacuation procedure was very good.  It could have been much worse and the fire could have spread but we were able to mobilise very quickly.”

Sean Moore, West Midlands Fire Service operations commander, said the fire was caused by a transformer.

He said: “Incidents like this are very rare but there was a very good safety system in place and the evacuation procedure was very good.”

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Sprinklers Stop Fire: Millward Brown UK Ltd, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire

Posted on May 9, 2012 by admin

Fire Sprinklers helped to prevent a potentially devastating fire at the offices of a global advertising agency based near Warwick.  The fire started in a first floor computer room in the early hours of Sunday 29th April.

Gary Phillips, deputy chief fire officer, said: “Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service would like to commend Millward Brown for having a Fire Suppression System in place.

“Not only did it stop the fire from developing, but it also saved the business from going up in flames, which in this economic climate is a real benefit, not only for the organisation, but also for the staff who are employed there and the community as a whole.

“As a fire and rescue Service we have long been petitioning for suppression systems such as sprinklers to be fitted in homes and businesses.

“In our role we see the devastation fires cause, but get frustrated by knowing that something as simple as a suppression or sprinkler system could stop a real disaster from occurring.”

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Sprinklers Stop Fire: Parkwood Academy School, Sheffield

Posted on May 2, 2012 by admin

South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service report that a sprinkler system installed at the new Parkwood Academy school successfully contained an electrical fire and alerted fire crews.

Posted in Education, Sprinkler Stop | 1 Comment

Sprinklers Stop Fire: TK Maxx Distribution Centre, Staffordshire

Posted on May 2, 2012 by admin

Sprinklers successfully contained a fire in the early hours of this morning following its outbreak in a bailing machine.  The system automatically raised alarm, safely evacuating 36 staff and notifying Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service.

Station Manager, Ian Read said: “By the time we got there the fire had been controlled by the sprinkler system. Firefighters opened up the machine to then fully extinguish the fire and cool the machine.

“We also used thermal imaging cameras to check if the fire had spread to the main part of the building. The sprinklers however had done a fantastic job of keeping the fire contained to the machine meaning only that piece of equipment has been fire damaged.

“The staff were able to resume work after we left the incident at just after 4.30am – had sprinklers not been fitted the chances are further equipment would have been damaged and work would have needed to be halted.

“There was also the danger of the fire spreading quite rapidly without sprinklers; the machine involved is used to compress cardboard which would catch fire and burn very quickly given the chance.

“We would encourage all businesses to have sprinklers fitted. There are misconceptions that should there be a fire several sprinklers will operate, this isn’t the case – they will only operate where the fire is located.

“As this incident has highlighted they do prevent the spread of fires, and so minimise the economic cost of a fire – which is even more important during these difficult financial times.”

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Sprinklers Stop Fire: Furniture Manufacturer, Long Eaton, Nottinghamshire

Posted on May 2, 2012 by admin

A fire sprinkler system successfully suppressed a blaze originating in an industrial sized wheelie bin.  Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service have reported that, due to the contents of the premises, had sprinklers not been present, firefighters would have been faced with a fully developed fire, exposing them to great danger.

 

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Cheshire Fire & Rescue Service Demonstrate Sprinkler Benefits

Posted on April 27, 2012 by admin

Cheshire Fire & Rescue Service recently hosted a press event demonstrating the effectiveness of domestic fire sprinkler system.  ITV Granada reported on the event:

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Penhallow fire victims’ relative backs fire sprinkler campaign

Posted on April 20, 2012 by admin

5 years on from the tragic fire which struck Penhallow Hotel in Newquay, taking the lives of three people, attendees of a national seminar heard from a relative of the victims how fire legislation has to change to prevent a repeat occurrence.

John Hughes, who lost his mother and brother in the blaze, said ”You need hoteliers to be able to go to a body to ask: ‘Where is an accredited person to do a fire risk assessment? Hoteliers can currently do fire risks themselves, and I think that’s where it falls down.”

The seminar was hosted by Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service and the South Western Branch of the Institution of Fire Engineers at the Eden Project, itself the beneficiary of a Fire Sprinkler save.

Previously, Mr Hughes had told BBC News, sprinklers would have “almost certainly” saved their lives. Talking of recent legislation changes in Wales, he added: “I see no reason why it can’t be rolled out across the UK.  They save people’s lives and buildings”.

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Sprinklers Stop Fire: Bakkavor Pizza factory, Harrow

Posted on April 20, 2012 by admin

Fire Sprinklers successfully extinguished a blaze at a pizza factory near Harrow.  The fire broke out when a pizza got stuck on a conveyor belt yesterday morning. Continue reading “Sprinklers Stop Fire: Bakkavor Pizza factory, Harrow” »

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Sprinklers Stop Fire: ‘The Gate’ Leisure & Entertainment Centre, Newcastle

Posted on April 20, 2012 by admin

A fire within Players Sports Bar was quickly suppressed by a single sprinkler head operating within an electrical intake cupboard.  The activation raised alarm evacuating around 200 people from the leisure & retail complex which consists of restaurants, bars, nightclubs and a 16 screen multi screen cinema.

Jonathan Codona of Players Bar remarked that despite the fact that the fire was in the electrical intake, the bar was fully operational the following day. Due to the minimal damage and disruption to trade Mr Codona is recommending the installation of sprinklers in all other Players Bar premises.

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BAFSA: government’s Fire Sprinkler advice is “contradictory”

Posted on April 12, 2012 by admin

Following the government’s chief fire and rescue advisor, Sir Ken Knight’s, advice to the Secretary of State that “it is not considered practical or economically viable to make a requirement for the retrospective fitting of fire suppression systems to all current high-rise residential buildings”, BAFSA have hit back describing the report as “contradictory”.

Referring to the recent Callow Mount project, Stewart Kidd, BAFSA secretary general, said: “The government’s advice is contradictory. We have proven it is possible to carry out essential retrofitting of fire sprinkler systems quickly, with minimal disruption and at low cost.”

Neil Gibbins, deputy chief fire officer of Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service representing the Chief Fire Officers’ Association, added: “Throughout the Fire and Rescue Service of the UK, we maintained a single voice stating that sprinklers have a huge role to play in future fire safety. We have been calling and campaigning for the greater incorporation of sprinkler systems into building regulations.”

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