Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service Newsdesk

4th January 2003 at Lemon Quay, Truro, 5th January 2003 at Big W, Poole and 6th January 2003 at Asda, St Austell at 03/01/2003 12:23

In October 2002 a report went to members of the County Council’s Executive asking them to take the lead in promoting the wider use of sprinklers, and in particular, the installation of sprinklers in homes. Since then Cornwall County Fire Brigade, with other organisations including the Residential Sprinkler Association, have proposed to put pressure on the Government to change building regulations to include installing sprinklers in buildings.

“The County Council, through the Fire Brigade, has an opportunity to influence and provide leadership in this important area by promoting a wider acceptance of the use of sprinklers by the people of Cornwall”
said ADO Kevin Marshall, Fire Safety Protection

He continued: “Working in partnership with the Residential Sprinkler Association and Mandara Sprinklers will be the first steps to our success.”

The Residential Sprinkler Association will be bringing its mobile demonstration unit to Truro, Big W and Asda. The unit gives the association the ability to show how effective sprinklers are in extinguishing fires. Domestic Sprinklers work automatically even when your house is unoccupied.

In 2001 there were 228,100 fires nationally in which 606 people died and 17,300 people were injured.

Director of Mandara Sprinklers Stan Barber explains: “Sprinklers are the most effective safety devices ever invented. The National Fire Protection Association reports that people with smoke alarms in their home have a 47% better chance of surviving a fire. Adding sprinklers increase your chances of surviving a fire to over 97%. Smoke alarms give a good warning of fire but are only effective if they are properly maintained and there is someone to hear the alarm and respond”

He continued: “If a residential sprinkler head detects a fire it immediately starts to spray water on the fire and an alarm is sounded to warn occupants to escape. Residential sprinkler systems usually put out the fire but if it does not succeed in doing this it will control the fire, slow its growth and reduce the toxic fumes”.

A residential sprinkler system is designed specifically for the domestic environment. It normally requires a new pipe from your existing water main, under the first floor flooring and in the roof space to connect to new sprinkler heads in the ceiling. It can be less upheaval than installing heating! The new sprinkler heads are near and small and some can be recessed completely in the ceiling, in your chosen colour.

Anyone is invited to come and see the demonstrations at either Lemon Quay, Truro on the 4th January, Big W car park on 5th January or Asda, St Austell on 11th January. They will all run from 10am – 4pm.

There will also be some technical presentations for Architects, Building Designers, Housing Associations, District Councils and other interested professional bodies. If you would like to attend, ring for times and venues on 01726 77303.

Related item: http://www.firesprinklers.org.uk/