Fire Sprinklers News from Google

July 2010
Fire destroys retail warehouse except where sprinklered

René de Feijter of Efectis reports that a retail warehouse in Schijndel, The Netherlands was destroyed by fire on 10th June. The retail warehouse was owned by Boerenbond and mainly held gardening and pet products. All but one part of the building burned to the ground. The surviving part was a store for up to 1,000kg of fireworks. The fireworks store was sprinklered and suffered little damage as the photograph from René show. One shows the e fireworks store after the fire outside amid the ruins of the rest of the retail warehouse.

Since the tragic fireworks fire in Enschede in 2000, which killed 23 people and injured 947 others, fireworks in The Netherlands must be kept in special stores that are also sprinklered. In this recent fire the fire brigade temporarily evacuated nearby people from their homes as a precautionary measure but the sprinkler system and fireworks store did their job.

April 2010
Norway Introduces Major New Sprinkler Requirements

At the EFSN conference in Brussels it was announced that the Norwegian government has approved new sprinkler requirements. From 1st July this year, all new housing units of more than two storeys will have to be fitted with sprinklers. This will affect almost all new apartment buildings.

In addition new hotels, new hospitals and new care homes must be sprinklered. Norway already leads Europe in the use of sprinklers per thousand inhabitants. This change will, over time, make Norwegian homes, hotels and healthcare facilities the safest from fire in Europe.

Norway has a commitment to Universal Design, by which is meant that housing should be suitable for all Norwegians. Not all Norwegians are able to respond to a fire alarm and leave the building. Sprinklers will enable them to stay in their homes until the fire brigade arrives. If they are in the room where the fire starts all they need to do is get to another room and close the door. Even if they cannot get out of the room the sprinkler system gives them some chance of survival.

Alan Brinson
Executive Director
European Fire Sprinkler Network

April 2010
Innovative Under Stairs Water Storage Tank

This month Nationwide Fire Sprinklers have launched our latest product. It is a space saving water tank that fits under the stairs.

Water storage tanks are required in some properties which do not have satisfactory mains water supply. These innovative, space saving under the stairs tanks hold approximately 480 litres of water.

2 tanks can be fitted under a standard domestic staircase providing the full water requirements for a domestic installation.

April 2010
Sprinklers for all new homes in Wales - The Journey

Groundbreaking legislation giving the go-ahead for sprinklers in all new homes in Wales is expected to get approval in the coming weeks. Ann Jones reflects on the journey.

See full report from FRM Journal

Jan 2010
Welsh Assembly Votes Yes to Sprinklers in New Homes

Welsh Assembly Members voted unanimously today voted in support of Ann Jones AM’s bid to make the installation of sprinkler systems mandatory in Wales’s new homes.

The Vale of Clwyd AM’s proposal has been described as historic by Chief Fire Officers across Wales and numerous organisations in the Fire Safety field including the National Fire Sprinkler Network.

See more of Welsh Assembly Votes Yes to Fire Sprinklers in New Homes