1. RETROFITTING OF SPRINKLER SYSTEMS
FIRE SPRINKLERS
RETROFITTING OF SPRINKLER SYSTEMS

2. Project Background
Number of serious and fatal fires in high rise blocks
Lakanal House - “Retrofitting sprinklers not a cost effective option”
Sprinkler Co-ordination Group discussions with CLG
SCG decided to pursue independent research
South Yorkshire FRS identified pilot site
BAFSA agreed to lead project on behalf of SCG
SCG approved Project Scoping Document 24 August 2010
In recent years there have been a number of serious fires in older high rise blocks which have resulted in a number of fatalities of occupants and firefighters. Following a serious fire in a social housing block, Lakanal House in 2009, in which six residents died questions were asked about the use of automatic fire sprinklers to protect residents in such properties.
In response it was suggested that the retrofitting of fire sprinklers to such buildings would not be cost effective.
The current Building Regulations in England and Wales require sprinklers to be fitted to new high rise blocks that are over 30 metres in height, but there is currently no legal requirement to fit sprinklers to existing high rise blocks. The Scottish Building Standard requires sprinklers to be fitted to new blocks over 18 metres high.
The Sprinkler Coordination Group (SCG) is of the opinion that retrofitting fire sprinklers into high-rise buildings can be cost effective. They have agreed to explore the possibility of setting up a pilot study to provide authoritative and reliable costs for retrofitting an automatic fire sprinkler system into older high-rise social housing blocks and to monitor the technical issues involved in doing so.
South Yorkshire fire and rescue approached Sheffield Homes and who indicated that they would like to be involved. And had identified a suitable property.
South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service and Sheffield Homes have a close and longstanding working relationship. This has included experience of working together on the installation and management of fire suppression systems in other situations.

3. Callow Mount Meersbrook Sheffield
13 storey tower block managed as sheltered housing
Not supervised 24 hour
Ground floor – caretakers office, services and communal room
Other 12 floors have four one bedroom flats
13 storey tower block managed as sheltered housing
Not supervised 24 hour
Ground floor – caretakers office, services and communal room
Other 12 floors have four one bedroom flats

4. Callow Mount Meersbrook Sheffield
Four external bin stores fed by internal bin chutes
No underground car park
Floors have a common lobby containing two lift shafts
Two means of escape staircases
Four external bin stores fed by internal bin chutes
No underground car park
Floors have a common lobby containing two lift shafts
Two means of escape staircases

5. Project Objectives and Outcomes
To retrofit a high rise social housing block with an automatic sprinkler system
To ensure that the installation has minimum impact on the residents with maximum benefit for the owners and residents in reducing the risk to life and property
To determine the practicability of such an installation with reference to answering perceived difficulties relating to the social impact of the work, whether tenants would need to be decanted and any other unforeseen issues
To retrofit a high rise social housing block with an automatic sprinkler system
To ensure that the installation has minimum impact on the residents with maximum benefit for the owners and residents in reducing the risk to life and property
To determine the practicability of such an installation with reference to answering perceived difficulties relating to the social impact of the work, whether tenants would need to be decanted and whether any other unforeseen difficulties might be encountered.

6. Project Objectives and Outcomes
To ensure that the installation process is fully documented, photographed for the production of a suitable guide to the retrofit process 
To provide detailed, comprehensive and true costings for all aspects of the pilot study in a form which allows for external scrutiny
 To identify the potential for installations in similar premises and those of other designs/size? 
To identify issues which may be considered variables in future installations, such as water supplies, residents status and views, construction using asbestos etc?
To ensure that the installation process is fully documented, photographed for the production of a suitable guide to the retrofit process 
To provide detailed, comprehensive and true costings for all aspects of the pilot study in a form which allows for external scrutiny
 To identify the potential for installations in similar premises and those of other designs/size? There are almost 4000 high rise social housing blocks in local authority ownership. The pilot will provide a design template and installation methodology for local authorities and other owners of such premises.
To identify issues which may be considered variables in future installations, such as water supplies, residents status and views, construction using asbestos etc?

7. Consultation with Residents
Water Supplies 
Four rising mains powered by two electric pumps
5 bar pressure at highest point
WRAS approval received from Yorkshire Water
Consultation with Residents
Project manager, Sheffield Homes, South Yorkshire FRS
Explanation of sprinklers
Background to project
Enthusiastic support from residents 
Water Supplies 
Four rising mains powered by two electric pumps
5 bar pressure at highest point
WRAS approval received from Yorkshire Water
Consultation with Residents
Steve Seaber Project manager, Sheffield Homes, South Yorkshire FRS
Explanation of sprinklers
Background to project
Enthusiastic support from residents 

8. 12 floors and ground floor

9. Pipework run at high level in existing boxing in corridor then new boxing formed in bedroom and lounge.

10. New Viking VK480 concealed sidewall head
New Viking VK480 concealed sidewall head. Cover operates at 60C head soldered link operates at 68c projection of up to 6m throw and 5.5m wide

11. Further Projects
Domestic Sprinklers have installed the largest amount of retrofit sprinkler systems in the Europe in fully occupied properties
32 BUPA care homes
8 High Rise properties
653 HMO’s
23 Private/Council care homes

12. Regent Court
Regent Court was a 10 storey block housing 160 individual flats in Gateshead. Due to poor consultation all of the residents were against the system being installed. The project has taken 34 weeks to complete and a customer satisfaction survey reported 98.6% satisfaction with the installation. This is the largest single property to be retro fitted whilst occupied in Europe.

13. Regent Court

14. Regent Court

15. Devon & Somerset F&R
D&SFR piloted a scheme to retro fit high risk properties occupied by Yarlington Housing Association Tenants. Various types of property were identified and cost analysis were conducted, of the installations, to allow forward costing of works. A report was produced and Yarlington Housing are now looking to extend the project to their housing stock.

16. D&SFR

17. D&SFR
Quotes were prepared that allowed for two scenarios 1 - Mains fed and 2 - Storage fed
Due to low pressures and small service pipes all of the properties had to have storage tanks and pump installed. The costings were £750 for mains and £1950 for storage.

18. Proposals

19. Costings 3 Bed House Studio Flat
There are two main options with wall mounted heads on the ground floor to avoid taking up floors or concealed head under floors. Both options cost the same.
Total cost of system if mains fed £ (boxing £500)
Cost of Tank and Pump £
1 Bed Bungalow
All concealed heads via attic space.
Total cost of system if mains fed £750.00
Studio Flat
All surface heads
Total cost of system if mains fed £ (boxing £500)

20. Specification
The prices include everything required to install the systems. Surface pipework and or boxings would be decorated. Electrical supplies would be run for the pumps (if required). All builders works included. A FIRAS certificate would be issued on completion of the works. Also included would be the first years service.
Domestic Sprinklers have always been proud of the fact that they include everything in their prices.
THERE ARE NO HIDDEN EXTRAS!