Fire sprinkler systems for HMO’s – any thoughts?

Further to my previous post, apologies as I made an error in my statistics, as I meant to say that .8 lives would be saved rather than 8 - I think it is 8 over 9/10 years. Although statistics vary from 2001 - 2010 there was just 1 death in an HMO/shared house from 81 fires - rather more in single occupancy homes 14 from 1421 fires. Predictions for the next 10 years suggest that .1 yes, point one life will be saved in an hmo/shared house (4 per year overall). The consultation documents state that sprinkler systems are either not cost effective or could be only marginally cost effective. On the other hand a Scottish landlord lost a court case not to install a sprinkler system in an hmo.

I was forced to install sprinkler ion a Grade II listed building 7 years ago. I was so sold on the idea afterwards, I went on a course to learn more about it. I now have it in my own home and am installing it is a 5 storey block of flats I am currently refurbishing.

I think every home and BTL should have it.

I was forced to install sprinkler ion a Grade II listed building 7 years ago. I was so sold on the idea afterwards, I went on a course to learn more about it. I now have it in my own home and am installing it is a 5 storey block of flats I am currently refurbishing.

I think every home and BTL should have it.

As an ex-fireman I agree with chris.
We were always relieved if a sprinkler had actuated as it invariably meant the fire had been extinguished.
Anyone that might needing rescuing was not going to die from smoke inhalation..........................................................drowning maybe!!!?
So the fire brigade arrives and contrary to belief doesn't add gallons into a fire situation.
There are now more sophisticated methods of fighting fire.
In the old days when i first joined the mantra to put out a fire was to bollock water on it and if it didn't go out, bollock more water and so on.............................well you get the picture.
Using these aggressive FF techniques it is taken as a matter of professional pride that one uses the minimum water required to extinguish a fire.
Just bollocking loads of water on onto a fire does NOT make for easy fire fighting.
So high pressure hose reel jets are used and usually now in any compartment fire a 45mm jet is the minimum.
This because fireman have been killed without a jet backup.
High pressure HR are very good but in a fully developed fire a jet is needed.
However the branches used with those jets facilitate less water being used and therefore there is not the previous wash it down the road syndrome!!
So sprinklers are an excellent FF medium.
The fire brigade still gets there in time as they would usually but no fire is there as it has been extinguished.
So the sprinkler stop valve is shut off and the fire brigade carry out immediate salvage work.
Srinklers operate in isolation.
Don't take ANY notice of all those films where all the sprinklers operate; they don't.
Drenchers do but NOT sprinklers.
Sprinklers are operated by a bulb of liquid that when it heats up; expands and breaks the glass vial allowing the water to come out at pressure.
They will only operate on the individual sprinklers if the temperature is right.
So if the temperature in the room was sufficient then yes all the sprinklers would operate.
These glass bulb vials can be set for different temperatures.
Opening oven doors etc won't set them off.
You are looking at a temp of about 65 o C for the first normal sprinkler actuation
Very rare for this to occur.
A normal sprinkler can knock down a fire in about 1 min after it has actuated.
If the costs could be brought down every property should have sprinklers.
It would make the fireman's lives easier it would save lives and damage
In the USA every hotel room has a sprinkler and SD; not so in the UK.
Costs need to brought down encouraged by insurance premiums and ideally to be installed for new-build and refurb jobs.
There won't be much water damage from a sprinkler if the FB get there quickly but even if they don't it is just like about 5 garden hosereels together.
But chris is correct in his contentions.
Sprinklers are great and i promise you they do work efficiently.

I agree that they are a good thing and extremely efficient; what I dislike is the legislation making them mandatory without any help towards the cost. I did say that firemen think they are fab! I assume you have them fitted in all your properties then Paul?

A residential system is a good way to alleviate the problems which you describe. These are common problems in this type of property. One consideration for you must be that you will need a new 50mm mains connection in order to supply the system (assuming that there is sufficient mains pressure available or, failing that you would possibly need to store as much as 6000 litres of water in some water storage tanks somewhere. I hope that this helps!

That's all very interesting stuff Paul but have you paid to have one in your own home? How many of your fire brigade colleagues have sprinkler systems in their homes?

gilly - re 'after going to a tribunal, as there is a little used regulation of low risk housing which many hmos fall into – do look it up)'
cant find this regulation. is it just for wales? can you provide more info please or better still a link?
sprinklers are a good idea, especially when dealing with a period property.

Is it not somewhat hypocritical that the people who tend to rave on about health and safety measures such as sprinkler systems generally don't have them in their own homes? Now there will of course be somebody out there who does have them and unless they are in the business of manufacturing and fitting them, I will accept they are not hypocrites. There are far less expensive ways to save a lot more lives.

We have extensive experience in the residential sprinkler market, including installing to listed buildings. I would be happy to assist in finding a sympathetic solution for the sprinkler installation. No charge for advice!