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FIRE SERVICE AND GENERAL FIRE SAFETY TOPICS => Fire Safety => Topic started by: TFEM on January 21, 2013, 04:16:56 PM
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Similar to the other current thread but different!!!!
Customer has just built new storage building to house plastic display products.....sprinklers (AFFF) have been installed on the shelving levels, not just at roof height.
We have recommended a couple of water based extinguishers and a CO2 for the forklift charger, electric switchgear and office computer. Customer says they don't need any fire extinguishers as the whole building has sprinklers......they carry out their own FRA.
The site is manned only during normal working hours.....my argument is that small fires could be tackled during this time rather than wait for the sprinklers to kick in. Or would the sprinklers be just as quick? Should I be recommending extinguishers based on the floor area in accordance with 5306 Part 8? Or should they just have a CO2?
Thoughts please.
John
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I will always make provision for first aid firefighting in a sprinklered building - for dealing with small fires in their incipient stages.
However i usually relax the level of coverage- travel distance is still important to the nearest extinguisher but fire rating by floor area less important. I usually find insurers will accept 50% of the BS5306 rating for class A fires in a sprinklered building.
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Extinguishers are for use well before the sprinklers activate. Same requirement for extinguishers regardless of sprinklers.
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Depends a little on the occupancy but generally I'm with Kurnal on this one!
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For me it depends on the occupancy, use and size of building, location of the heads, rating of the heads, and their height etc before you can say how many extinguishers you can do a way with.
But Kurnal's comments reflect a common sense approach.
Simple answer is sprinklers do not negate the need for fire extinguishers.
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I agree with what is said above but if they don't want to put extinguishers in and if extinguishers are not necessary to protect the safety of relevant persons then you cannot make them put extinguishers in. Especially if they have their own fire risk assessor who has given guidance on the matter. Their insurers might have something to say on the matter but that is their affair.
You might ask them if the sprinkler installation has life safety enhancements and, if not, how they propose protecting their building when the sprinklers are down for maintenance.
Stu