Sprinkler systems

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A properly designed automatic sprinkler system will not only detect a fire, but can control it and in some cases completely extinguish it. 

The water damage a sprinkler system might cause should be considerably less than the fire brigade would cause in extinguishing the fire, and certainly less than if the fire were allowed to spread.

More importantly, there isn’t a history of loss of life from fire in buildings protected with properly installed and maintained sprinkler systems[1]. Consequently, if you own your building fitting a sprinkler system will be an improvement to your asset.

Key actions for the installation and maintenance of sprinkler systems

  • Employ a Loss Prevention Certification Board (LPCB) - approved contractor to design the sprinkler system for your building. In the UK, systems are designed and installed in accordance with 'The Loss Prevention Council Rules for Automatic Sprinkler Installations incorporating BS EN 12845'.

    - In addition to the structure itself, the sprinkler system will be designed, for example, to reflect how the building is used, what goods are stored within it, how they are stored, and how high they are stored.
  • Consult the sprinkler system installers and your building insurers when you’re considering changes to the building structure and/or usage. This will help minimise the number of alterations you might have to make.
  • Consider whether you need a stored water storage facility and pump house. If it’s a more dangerous process, or the more combustible the goods, or higher the storage, the more water could be needed and delivered at a higher volume and rate.
  • Factor in annual service and maintenance costs, as well as initial installation costs when you’re calculating funds for sprinklers.
  • Sprinkler systems require regular maintenance and testing.

    - It may be necessary to keep up a minimum temperature, to prevent the system freezing.
  • Involve all insurers and brokers with an interest in your premises at the earliest opportunity when considering a sprinkler system, particularly before placing an order. They’ll be able to advise you about any implications for your covers and associated costs.
  • During the planning stage, ask your sprinkler system installer about measures available to defend against malicious activity and leakage.

Templates for related issues

Fire risk
assessment

Health and safety

Emergency procedures

Guards and safety devices

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Getting the standard
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Your fire safety measures must meet the requirements of UK and regional legislation.
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Frequently asked questions

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Related topics

All of these topics need to be considered to help protect your premises and people against arson.
Arson
Electrical installations
Fire detection and alarms
Fire extinguishers
Fire risk assessment
Gaseous fire suppression systems
Passive fire protection
Process-related fire and explosion hazards
Storage of flammables and explosives
Vacant buildings
Water damage
Welding and other hot work

Useful links for the installation and maintenance of sprinkler systems

You can get additional guidance from these websites:
ASFP (Association for Specialist Fire Protection)
BAFE (British Approvals for Fire Equipment)
BAFSA (British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association)
BSA (Business Sprinkler Alliance)
CFOA (Chief Fire Officers’ Association)
European Fire Sprinkler Network
FIRAS Registers
FPA (Fire Protection Association)
FireLaw Scotland
LPCB Redbook Live
NFSN (National Fire Sprinkler Network)
RISCAuthority
1 'Business Case for Sprinklers' [PDF], Chief Fire Officers’ Association

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