Tandi Sprinklers News

Fire sprinkler system could have saved warehouse building in Bedfordshire

An investigation into a large fire which destroyed much of an established garden centre could have been prevented with the installation of a fire sprinkler system.

The fire took place on the 19 April at B & M Growers in Biggleswade causing thousands of pounds worth of damage and lost business.

The scene at Bedfordshire Growers near Biggleswade during the fire last night. Picture: Bedfordshire Fire & Rescue
The blaze began on the 19th April after a refridgeration unit inside a lorry accidently caught alight in front of the building in Potton, Bedfordshire. The fire quickly took hold and spread to the building and required more than 70 fire fighters to attend.

The investigation, carried out by Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, advised businesses against parking vehicles next to buildings as well as to install fire sprinkler systems to prevent such extensive damage.

Group commander and business and commercial safety manager, John Foolkes, said: “Those managing warehouses and other distribution centres are urged to ensure that vehicles are not parked adjacent to or close to property as any fires within these could spread to the main buildings.

“Businesses should also not locate refuse bins or any combustibles close to the building. These should be stored some way from any other buildings to avoid the risk of fire spreading from these.

“As a preventative measure businesses should consider fitting an effective sprinkler system to their buildings as these would have suppressed the fire and kept damage to a minimum.”

For further advice, visit bedsfire.com/CommunitySafety/BusinessFireSafety.

Photo credit: Bedfordshire Fire & Rescue Service

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Sprinklers save Poplar tower block residents from kitchen blaze

Two women and four children got to safety as fire broke out in their fifteenth floor flat in City Island Way, Poplar.

Docklands Flat Domestic Fire Sprinkler

A further 60 residents managed to escape the block when firefighters arrived at the scene at 7.23pm on Thursday.

Fire crews treated one infant and took them to hospital “as a precaution”, London Fire Brigade (LFB) said.

The sprinkler system in the kitchen had put out the flames before they could damage the flat.

“We want to remind people to never leave a pan alone with the heat on – not even for a few seconds,” said LFB senior fire safety officer Neil Guyett.

“You should also never tackle the fire yourself, get out and call 999.”

The Brigade has renewed calls for sprinklers in all residential tower blocks and new school builds following the Grenfell Tower disaster.

Photo credit: Google
Source: Sprinklers save Poplar tower block residents from kitchen blaze

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Sprinklers recommended for all 126 of Islington tower blocks

Braithwaite House off Old Street is one of Islington’s 126 tower blocks. Last year, cladding was urgently stripped from the building after it emerged it was similar to that used on Grenfell Tower.

Residential Flats Sprinkler Installation London

Islington Council has been advised to consider sprinkler systems for all 126 of its high-rise housing blocks.

A town hall committee has made the recommendation in a draft report about the safety of the council’s housing stock. It was commissioned in the wake of the Grenfell Tower disaster in June last year.

But the report, by Islington’s housing scrutiny committee, said there would also be a familiar hitch: money.

The cost of installing sprinklers could be nearly £100million, the committee said. To put that in context, Islington has been forced to propose £32million of cuts in its planned budget for 2018/19 due to central government funding slashes.

In all, the council’s 126 high-rises – defined as six storeys or over – contain 6,200 flats.

The committee, which is chaired by Finsbury Park Cllr Mick O’Sullivan, said in the report: “The committee would support the installation of sprinklers in all council blocks over six storeys in height, which equates to approximately 18 metres.

“However, the committee also appreciates the significant cost of sprinkler systems, and technical and operational challenges related to asbestos removal, water pressure, providing access, resident acceptance of trunking/boxing, and ongoing maintenance.

“Officers advised that the indicative cost of installing sprinklers in blocks of 10 storeys and above could be anywhere between £43m and £97m, and it is noted that the government has ruled out providing funding for these works.

“It is suggested that the council review the feasibility of installing sprinklers, the anticipated cost of the works, and model the financial impact of the works on other aspects of the housing service.”

Several other London councils, such as Croydon, Waltham Forest, Enfield and Wandsworth, have already decided to fit sprinkler systems on high-rise blocks.

Meanwhile, the committee also suggested installing individual sprinklers for the properties of known hoarders.

However, funding for this may be easier to come by. The council could apply to London Fire Brigade’s fire safety investment fund, which provides preventative equipment to vulnerable people.

The report will be discussed at a meeting of the housing scrutiny committee at the town hall on Tuesday next week.

Picture: Tom Horton
Source: Sprinklers recommended for all 126 of Islington tower blocks – but work would cost tens of millions

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Tandi Awarded with FIRAS Domestic Sprinkler Systems Certification

Tandi Sprinklers LLP are delighted to announce we have been awarded certification for their installation of domestic fire sprinkler systems by FIRAS.

FIRAS Certification Fire Sprinkler Systems

FIRAS Certification Fire Sprinkler Systems

FIRAS certification started in 1994 and has been instrumental in improving standards of installation of fire protection products/systems to the benefit of the construction industry and the clients it serves. FIRAS is voluntary, third party certification for installation contractors of both passive and active fire protection systems, operated by Warrington Certification, and accredited by UKAS to BS EN 17065. A comprehensive listing of companies which have FIRAS certification including the scope of their certification can be viewed in the FIRAS Register.

Why choose a FIRAS certificated installation contractor?
FIRAS certificated contractors are required to undergo a 3 stage assessment process. And, only when the applicant contractor has satisfied all of these criteria is certification granted:
All FIRAS site inspectors and sprinkler engineers have technical and practical knowledge and experience in fire protection. Certification requirements have been developed with UK trade associations including:

As a requirement of the FIRAS Schemes, certificated companies are required to employ, on a permanent or contract basis, competent Supervisors and Technicians (Operators) whose technical and practical competence is assessed by FIRAS Inspectors in the trade disciplines for which certification scope is held. Once certificated, all FIRAS Registered Installer Companies are subject to ongoing random inspection of their installation work on ongoing contracts along with an annual audit of their office systems by FIRAS Inspectors to ensure that compliance with FIRAS Scheme Requirements is maintained.
Information taken from the FIRAS website, for further information visit their website here www.firas-database.co.uk/registers/

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