Residential Fire Sprinklers

Residential fire sprinklers are a proven technology having helped to save life for over a 100 years. Now they can be used in residential accommodation (both new and old) to reduce building costs, help meet building regulations and provide design freedoms.

Systems can be installed in to care homes, nursing homes, hospices, dormitories, apartments and your home. The systems are designed to BS 9251 : 2005 Sprinkler Systems for Residential and Domestic Occupancies and Armstrong Priestley also offer a FIRAS Certificate of Conformity so you can be assured that our systems fully comply with all current standards and will be accepted by building control and fire safety officers.

ARUP fire have concluded that fire sprinklers vastly increases tenability and vision in both the room of origin and adjacent corridors allowing for a safe effective means of escape. Scotland already recognises this and requires all residential care homes to be protected and Wales is to follow.

In recognition of the fire sprinkler achievements in providing safer buildings, building control officers frequently will allow you more freedom in you building design. The same can be true for existing buildings such as care homes where the building no longer meet the required level of fire safety a sprinkler can be used to offset passive protection which can be both costly and disruptive to an occupied premises.

Increasing compartment sizes
Reduce the ‘fire’ size
Increasing acceptable travel distances
Reductions in levels of fire protection both structural and compartmental
Reduction in the number of smoke lobbies and doors
Phased or delayed evacuation may be possible (subject to F&RS approval) this could be beneficial in respect of staffing levels, especially at night.

Below you will find more details on a number of residential sprinklers projects which we have recently carried out:

Laurel Bank Care Home - Fire Sprinkler Installation

Project:	Laurel Bank Care Home
Client:	Victorguard Care PLC
Location:	Wilsden, Yorkshire
Main Contractor:	Direct
Project Value:	£70,000

Laurel Bank is a private care home situated in Wilsden, West Yorkshire and operated by Victorgaure Care Group. This large care home has 63 single bedrooms, 5 lounges, 5 dining rooms, activity room, hairdressing salon as well as a host of other accommodation.

A residential fire sprinkler installation was designed to BS 9251 and fitted to all areas of the building including the roof void. As this installation was installed into a new build we were able to conceal all the pipework in the ceiling and roof void and by using ‘concealed’ fire sprinkler heads only a small white disk is visible in the ceiling.

An independent water supply was installed with the water storage tank been location outside and the pump set positioned in the plant room. This will provide sufficient water for the system to operate for a minimum of 30 minutes.

Straven House Fire Sprinkler system

Project:	Straven House
Client:	BUPA
Location:	Ilkley, West Yorkshire
Main Contractor:	Direct with BUPA
Project Value:	£40,000

Straven House is a grade II listed building in a quiet residential area of Ilkley in West Yorkshire. Originally built as a private residence it has now been carefully converted to a Residential Home while retaining its charm and character. The home now offers 25 bedrooms for residential care, convalescence, palliative care and respite.

To enable the home to retain its character and still meet with the stringent fire safety requirements set by BUPA and the fire service it was felt that a residential fire sprinkler system designed to BS 9251 would be required throughout the property. The system would allow for a more flexible approach to fire safety and allow the retention of the original design aspects.

Millside, Rehabilitation and Recovery Unit

Project:	Millside, Rehabilitation and Recovery Unit
Client:	Leeds Partnerships NHS Foundation Trust
Location:	Leeds, West Yorkshire
Main Contractor:	Interserve Facilities Management
Project Value:	£45,000

Millside is a mental health unit operated by Leeds Partnerships NHS Foundation Trust with accommodation for 30 clients and a day centre. The Trust having carried out a risk assessment which was concerned for the safety and security of their vulnerable clients especially at night and with the agreement of the fire service concluded that the installation of a residential fire sprinkler system installation designed to BS 9251 would alleviate this risk and allow for a more flexible approach in fire evacuation and staffing.

Prince of Wales Hospice

Project:	Prince of Wales Hospice
Client:	Prince of Wales Hospice
Location:	Pontefract, Yorkshire
Main Contractor:	Direct
Project Value:	£44,000

The Prince of Wales Hospice opened in 1989 for day care and also has a 10 bed ward for residential care where patients can stay and receive medical and nursing care 24 hours a day.

With the increases in legislation and introduction of the Regulatory Reform Order the Hospice was required to assess its fire strategy and with the help of the fire authority concluded that the installation of a residential fire sprinkler system would provide an additional level of fire safety to the ward at night.