Foam Mat Stores

[Gasmeter]

I've been asked if smoke extraction is a requirement for foam mat stores ('Boyce' stores) in leisure premises; my answer was that it isn't but it would be desirable in some circumstances.  Does anyone have view on this?

[wee brian]

Just a suitable fr store should do it

[kurnal]

Yes in some circumstances as you say.
I seem to recollect one of the guides in the 80s was written as though ventilation was mandatory- but I cant remember for sure which it was! There was a Home Office Circular relating to foam stores in schools and sports centres in the  70s- 80s - it may have been that.

Foam stores are defined in ADB as places of special fire risk so would require ventilation ifin a  basement if you were to follow 19.9 of ADB or if following 5588 part 6 if the store opened onto an escape route then ventilation would be recommended.

[Peter]

I recall the  history of this goes back to a Fire in the Maysfield Leasure centre in Northern Ireland (?Belfast?) - There were deaths from the smoke from foam mats. Design reccomendations were made - I don't have a copy but recall they included ventilation & Detection

[Gasmeter]

Thank you all for your input.  I had the misfortune to attend the 1984 Maysfield fire as a young fireman but am having great difficulty getting a copy of the report now.  It resulted in leisure centres here becoming 'designated' premises with requirements such as building plans to be displayed in foyers but I can't remember all the others.

[boroboy]

Yes it was a home office circular (I think).  I used it several times. It required 1 hr fr if the door was adjacent to a means of escape and also ventilation & detection.  I think it stipulated a fan but I used to accept air bricks or something simliar at the top & bottom on an outsided wall about 1 m2 (I think).  I think the circular was mainly designed for cellular foam storage, the sort used in high jumping pits rather than rubber mats.  I recall it also said somthing about worn gym mats being repaired or disposed of.

[John Webb]

It might be worth contacting Cath Reynolds, now in charge of DCLG's Fire research section - she was in the HO Fire Research and Development Group in the 1980s and may know the whereabouts of the Maysfield Report. The Fire Research Station at Borehamwood was also involved, but I think jointly with the HO.

[Pip]

have done a bit of research, as I need to fill a knowledge gap-but could do with some further guidance:
FSC 1/88-says stores should be 60 min F.R.(interestingly AD 'B' says 30 min)+ AFD +any lighting sheilded/bulkhead types + not open onto escape corridoors+ preferably vented to open air max area practacable

B.S. 1892-3 2003 says the same (cut and pasted!)
BB7 version 6(referered to in FSC 1/88 )says nothing
BB100 just as useless
DCLG 'Education guide' no details given

I would be interested to know what details for ventilation ie high and low?natural/fan etc.does anyone else recommend the 60 min F.R and AFD (especially as many sports halls could be built without them ie in schools)?

[wee brian]

If you vent it you will need 60 mins because you will be providing oxygen for the fire. So - don't do it. The Circular is old hat.

Whilst the fire load is quite high the risk of ignition should be very low (little Johny and his sneaky fag being the biggest potential source).

Torn covers make them easier to ignite so these should be replaced or repaired (they are also dangerous to use)

[Pip]

Thanks brian, but the 'circular' is quoted word for word in the BS 1892 2003, so I assume that the recommendations were still resonably valid.Another comment I have recieved is that it might be preferable to use Heat detection, as the mats downgrade they create a lot of dust(in the drive to reduce AFA's)

[Gasmeter]

Some very interesting comments, thanks. For interest; the Maysfield fire was started maliciously by youths who entered the centre via a poorly secured emergency exit, the roller shutter to the mat store was partially open and the panelling above the shutter was of plywood which was penetrated by fire fairly quickly.