Sprinkler News
Fire Sprinkler 2008: 13 November 2008,
Marriott St Pierre Chepstow
The only UK conference and exhibition dedicated to sprinklers for the protection of people and property
BAFSA Elect New Council for 2009
At the AGM in Chepstow on 12 November the following companies and their representatives were elected to Council to serve in 2009. We welcome Bill Johns and Sinikka Freidhof who join Council for the first time and thank Bernard Caine, Project Fire and Darren Hayden, ITT Lowara (who have left Council) for their support over many years.
Installers
Argus Fire Protection Ltd, Martin Hartley
Armstrong Priestley Ltd, Peter Armstrong
Automatic Fire Control Ltd, Julian Taylor
Fire Defence Ltd, Bill Johns
Hall Fire Protection Ltd, David Robinson
Hall & Kay Fire Engineering, Simon Quillish
Taylor Robinson Ltd,Ian Kennedy
Tyco Fire and Integrated Solutions Ltd, Leslie Heaviside
UK Firewatch Ltd, Derek Duggan
Manufacturer and Suppliers/Sprinkler Head Manufacturers
Armstrong Integrated Systems Ltd, John Carr
Grundfos Pumps, Alan Gaffney
Reliable Fire Sprinkler Ltd, Graham Leonard
Tyco Building Services Products Ltd, Steve Broadley
Viking Supplynet Ltd, Nick Groos
Associate Members
Lubrizol Advanced Material, Sinikka Freidhof
South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, Roger Brason
West Midlands Fire and Rescue Service, Steve Mills
Posted on: Monday 17 November 2008
NFSN Parliamentary Seminar 4 February
Please find attached the programme and a booking form for this very important event which all BAFSA members should consider supporting.
In order to widen the debate it is suggested that you consider bringing a 'sprinkler-sceptic' guest
Posted on: Sunday 16 November 2008
Sprinklers Save Hampshire Factory
Thanks to Keith Rhodes of Nationwide for this sprinkler stop.
A FIRE that broke out in a factory has highlighted the importance of sprinkler systems in commercial properties, the fire brigade have said.Firefighters attended a factory fire in Aston Road, Waterlooville, on Saturday, 8 November
Crews from Waterlooville and Cosham were called at 1335hrs to WPL, an 18,000sq ft factory.
The factory, which makes products for rainwater harvesting, sewage management and wastewater processes, contained flammable products, including acetone and fibreglass resin.
However sprinklers helped keep the fire in check and prevent further damage to the property.
The brigade said the cause of Saturday's fire was not suspicious.
Posted on: Monday 10 November 2008
20 die during accidental discharge of gaseous fire extinguishing system
At least 20 people have died in an incident on a Russian nuclear submarine when a fire extinguishing system was switched on accidentally.
Russian Pacific Fleet spokesman Igor Dygalo said both sailors and shipyard workers died in the incident, which occurred during sea trials.
He said the submarine was not damaged and there had been no radiation leaks.
It is the worst incident for the navy since the sinking of the Kursk submarine in 2000, which left 118 dead.
The BBC website suggests that the gas in question was freon.
Posted on: Sunday 9 November 2008
World Fire Statistics Centre Report 28: Oct 2008
Some 25 years ago the WFSC made its first full report to the United Nations, with national fire cost statistics for 13 countries in respect of 1980-81. For the most recent exercise, covering 2003-05 data for 15 countries, 8 of the original participants remained.
A comparison of the results registered by these 8 countries between the two periods shows that, on average, there has been a dramatic fall in the percentage to GDP of direct property losses, from 0.28% to 0.16%, and of fire deaths per 100,000 population from 1.88 to 1.34. Related to GDP, costs of fire insurance administration have also fallen steeply, while those of fire fighting organisations and of fire protection to buildings have shown a more mixed picture. Overall, it appears that for these countries – Denmark, Finland, France, Japan, Norway, Sweden, UK and USA - there has in aggregate been a significant and heartening fall in the burden of fire costs over this period.
Moreover, it has also been encouraging that the number of countries undertaking detailed analyses of the cost of fire to their economies has over this period expanded from only one, the USA, to six, including Canada, UK, Denmark, New Zealand and Australia.
You can download the report here.
Posted on: Sunday 9 November 2008
LPC Rules Update
The FPA have issued a series of amendments to the LPC Sprinkler Rules. These are being sent out at 'no cost' other than the cost of postage and packing.
The package includes:
◆ A summary of amendments
◆ A revised Index and list of TB's
◆ Updated versions of the following:
◆ TB210 - Automatic sprinkler pump installations
◆ TB211 - Specification for pipes and fittings
◆ TB229 - Variations to BS EN 12845
◆ TB230 - Protection of floor voids, ceiling voids and roof spaces.
Please direct any enquiries to Marcelle Cowley, Publications Administrator: sales@thefpa.co.uk
Posted on: Sunday 9 November 2008
FBU Scotland Call for More Domestic Sprinklers
Fire Brigades Union Scotland Calls for Increase in Installation of Domestic Sprinkler Systems
The Scottish Fire Service Adviser's Annual Report, published yesterday (Tuesday 28th October 2008) reported that in the period from April 2007 to March 2008 there was a 62% Increase in Fire Deaths in Scotland (from 45 to 73), a 23% Increase in Injuries (4241 to 5223) and that 3 Firefighters lost their lives in the line of duty.
Whilst the proper use of smoke detectors would have made a difference and helped to reduce these statistics, the use of Domestic Sprinkler Systems would almost eradicate Fire Deaths in Scotland.
In Canada, the widespread installation of domestic sprinklers resulted on ZERO Fire Deaths being recorded.
The Fire Brigades Union Scotland calls on the Scottish Government, Local Authorities and Scottish Fire & Rescue Authorities to explore the potential of a widespread Sprinkler Installation Program for both Local Authority & Private dwellings. Furthermore we call for a change to the Building Regulations, to make it a statutory obligation that all new build properties must have sprinkler systems installed.
Ken Ross, Scottish Secretary of the Fire Brigades Union Scotland said “It is a proven fact that domestic sprinkler systems will hinder the spread of fire, which will not only afford people plenty of time to get out of their home safety, but will limit the damage to their property.
“If we are to properly tackle the scourge of Fire Deaths in Scotland, the widespread use of Sprinkler Systems is the key way forward. It will make a difference and will save countless lives.
Posted on: Friday 7 November 2008
Updated on: Sunday 9 November 2008
November Newsletter Now Available
The Autumn issue of the BAFSA newsletter (no 26) is now available and can be downloaded from the 'Newsletter' page.
Posted on: Saturday 1 November 2008
Marketing Meeting - 3 November
Marketing Committee members and others are reminded that the next meeting is at 1030 hrs on Wednesday 5 November at Tyco Park, Grimshaw Lane, Newton Heath, Manchester M40 2WL. A copy of the Agenda is available below.
All member, whether regular attenders or not, are welcome. Please advise Stewart Kidd if you are planning to come.
Posted on: Friday 31 October 2008
Calls for Wider Use of Sprinklers as Scottish Home Fire Deaths Rocket
A fresh call has been made to fit houses and flats with automatic water sprinklers after it emerged that the number of fire deaths across Scotland has rocketed by 62% in the last year.
Chief Inspector of Fire Services Keith MacGillvray said the use of the life-saving equipment should be “encouraged” in light of new figures which showed that 73 people perished in 2007/08 in comparison to 45 the previous year.
He added that most of the deaths in houses and flats over the last 12 months could have been prevented if automatic water sprinklers had been installed.
Posted on: Thursday 30 October 2008