Fire sprinkler systems
Protect your people and property from fire
Automatic fire sprinkler systems (AFSS) are among the most successful methods of protecting people and property in the event of a fire. They are ingenious in their simplicity, designed to detect and suppress fires rapidly, often long before firefighters arrive on the scene. They are also incredibly effective, controlling 99% of the fires they are activated in.
Fire sprinklers serve as the first line of defence against the devastation wrought by fire, dramatically reducing damage and most importantly saving lives.
To find out how our automatic fire sprinkler systems can protect your premises.
Protect your people, property, and assets from the threat of fire.
How do fire sprinkler systems work?
At their core, fire sprinkler systems constitute a water source and a network of piping with sprinkler heads strategically installed within the ceilings of commercial and industrial buildings to combat fires. When a fire breaks out, the generated heat causes the sprinkler head to activate and allows water to flow through the sprinkler head. As the activation of a sprinkler head is heat generated, only the sprinklers closest to the fire operate, rather than throughout the whole network. Once activated, the water spray from the sprinkler acts to control the fire before it can spread, significantly reducing the risk of injury and damage to property.
The efficacy and reliability of fire sprinkler systems have made them a standard feature in safeguarding modern buildings, where they play a pivotal role in contemporary fire safety strategies. They are subject to stringent safety regulations, and their presence in populated buildings provides effective protection and peace of mind to workers, customers, residents, and property owners.
Why do businesses need automatic fire sprinkler systems?
Fire sprinkler systems play a critical role in safeguarding business premises against the perils of fire.
These premises often house a variety of hazards, including combustible materials, intricate electrical systems, and high-value machinery, which collectively elevate the risk of fire outbreaks. By deploying sprinkler systems, businesses can significantly mitigate this risk, not just by quelling flames swiftly should a fire ignite but also by curbing the spread of smoke and heat that accompanies a fire.
This immediate response is instrumental in safeguarding the structural integrity of the premises and the lives of those within employees, clients, and visitors alike.
Beyond the immediate benefits of fire suppression, sprinkler systems also contribute to business continuity, minimising operational disruptions and potential financial losses. Their presence reassures stakeholders of the company’s commitment to safety and helps them meet their insurance liability requirements.
Above all, the installation of fire sprinkler systems into business premises embodies a proactive approach to fire safety and demonstrates a commitment to protecting people, property, and assets.
What are the different types of fire sprinklers?
There are different fire sprinkler systems available to meet the diverse needs of specific settings, and Vipond is one of the country’s leading installers and maintenance providers of all the available solutions:
Sprinkler systems
UK regulations for automatic fire sprinkler systems
In the United Kingdom, compliance with specific regulations is mandatory for the proper installation and ongoing maintenance of fire sprinkler systems. These requirements are outlined in the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, which stipulates that the responsibility for ensuring the safety and efficacy of sprinkler systems falls to the premises’ owners or managers.
This legislation mandates a thorough assessment of fire risks and the implementation of appropriate fire safety measures, including sprinkler systems, where necessary. Additionally, British Standards such as BS EN 12845 (LPC Rules for Automatic Sprinkler Installations 2009) provide detailed guidelines on the design, installation, and maintenance of these systems, ensuring they adhere to high-quality and safety standards.
Building regulations also play a crucial role, specifically Part B (Fire Safety), which outlines the construction and design measures necessary to protect from fires, potentially requiring sprinkler systems in certain types of buildings. Compliance with these regulations is a legal requirement and a critical component in safeguarding lives and properties against the threat of fire.
All of Vipond’s residential and domestic sprinkler systems are installed and certificated to BS9251:2021 ‘Fire sprinkler systems for domestic and residential occupancies-code of practice,’ and our commercial and industrial sprinkler systems are installed and certified to BS EN 12845.
Vipond is an LPS 1048-5 level 4 Approved Sprinkler Contractor. This is the highest accreditation under the Loss Prevention Certification Board (LPCB), and it certifies Vipond Fire Protection to undertake all categories of sprinkler work without additional supervision. We have also been a member of the British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association (BAFSA) since 2006.
Our other accreditations include:
FIRAS 3rd party accreditation for domestic and residential sprinkler systems.
LPS 1014 for fire detection and alarm system installation
LPS 1204 for gas extinguishing and condensed aerosol system installations
Maintenance and inspection of automatic fire sprinkler systems
To find out how our automatic fire sprinkler systems and service options can protect your business
Ensuring the operational integrity of fire sprinkler systems through systematic maintenance and inspection is paramount for their reliability during emergencies.
In the UK, accredited professionals must conduct routine checks annually to identify and rectify any potential issues, such as obstructions or wear and tear, that could impede the system’s performance. These inspections encompass a comprehensive examination of the system’s physical components and functionality, including water flow tests, alarm mechanisms, and the condition of control valves. The frequency of these inspections may increase for systems in environments with higher risks or where any building structure alterations have occurred.
Adhering to a rigorous schedule of maintenance and inspection not only aligns with legal obligations but also enhances the safety and security of premises, ensuring that when the need arises, the sprinkler system functions as intended, offering crucial protection against the devastation of fire.
At Vipond, we ensure all our install customers benefit from ongoing service and maintenance to keep their sprinkler system performing optimally throughout its commissioned lifetime. We also deliver service, inspections and training for existing systems, so all businesses can take advantage of our expert support.
We even provide a 24-hour emergency callout response for any system anywhere in the UK.
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