Fitting automatic fire suppression systems in new or refurbished residential care homes is cost effective, and can provide significant benefits when increased evacuation times are needed, according to a new report.
The study – Sprinklers for Safer Living – is based on a research carried out by Arup and commissioned by the British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association. It sets out the key life safety, property protection and business continuity risks of fires in care homes and provides commentary on:
- the direct and indirect consequences of a fire in a residential care premises
- current UK and international guidance documents
- automatic fire suppression and alternative solutions
- a fire modelling study to quantify the benefits of automatic fire suppression
The report concludes that where residents need assistance it is likely that the evacuation process will take longer, and that in such cases sprinklers will provide significant benefits to address this risk. It points to research in the United States which concludes that sprinklers are considered to be the single most effective fire protection feature and which notes that there has never been a multiple death fire in a fully sprinklered nursing home.
The report includes the results of fire and smoke modelling which conclude that temperatures within corridors and in all rooms beyond the room of fire origin were survivable where sprinklers were provided. It also says that that visibility in all rooms beyond the room of fire origin remained adequate where sprinklers were provided.
Sprinklers for Safer Living was officially launched at the Care Show in Bournemouth at the end of last month. Copies of the report, priced £25, are available by emailing: info@bafsa.org.uk
