3 houses and 4 apartments fitted with fire sprinkler systems in Connah’s Quay for Wales & West Housing Association and built by R L Davies.

These were part of the Welsh Government Fire Sprinklers Pilot Study in which all the design and installation contractors, Ecotect included, were third party accredited.

The fire sprinkler systems meet the minimum requirements as detailed for Category 1 systems within Code of Practice BS 9251:2014 Fire Sprinkler Systems for Domestic and Residential Occupancies. The systems are designed for any two sprinklers to activate simultaneously, and to run for minimum 10 minutes duration of supply.

The water for the systems is supplied from the combined mains water supply provided by others within each property.

Although the flow test met the hydraulic requirements, there was insufficient (less than 25 litres) additional flow in some of the dwellings. Therefore, a priority demand valve was required for compliance to ensure there is sufficient mains water available in the event of a fire sprinkler activation, in accordance with the recommendations of the standard.

Pilot Study

In preparation for the introduction of new requirements for fire sprinklers for new and converted houses and flats from 1st January 2016, the Welsh Minister for Housing and Regeneration agreed to run a series of pilot projects, funding the cost of designing and installing fire sprinkler systems in social housing in Wales, for participating Housing Associations and Registered Social Landlords.

In addition to Social Housing Grant funded schemes, the study covered two non-funded schemes and one scheme from a major house builder.

Building Research Establishment (BRE) was contracted to undertake the monitoring project to monitor and record the learning experiences in relation to the  design and installation of the sprinkler systems including the water supply.  You may find the December 2016 presentation of the findings an interesting browse.

Also, see our summary of Welsh Legislation.