Sprinklers in Europe – known problems and misconceptions
Alan Brinson
• Over 100 members from 18 countries➢Insurers, laboratories, consultancies, fire brigades,
sprinkler industry
• Mission to improve fire safety across Europe through the wider use of properly designed and installed water-based fire protection systems
• Set up or support organisations in Belgium, France, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden, UK – ad hoc involvement in more countries
• Through Technical Committee involved in standards
• Engage with regulators, influencers and stakeholders to raise awareness of sprinklers and their benefits➢Change does not happen by itself!
➢Information does not seem to travel across borders!
• Correct widespread misconceptions➢These give negative perceptions of sprinklers and prevent
positive change
➢Sometimes vested interests promote misconceptions about sprinklers – we provide correct information based on independent research
• Gather data, sponsor research and share it to inform regulatory changes➢There is an excellent story to tell!
• Support European standards development:➢State of the art design makes sprinklers more competitive
➢Regulators need to refer to national standards and European standards are also national standards
➢NFPA, VdS, FM and CEA are good but not national standards
Known problems – architects, AHJs
• Most architects, fire officials and fire officers know little about sprinklers
• Yet they decide whether sprinklers should be part of a building’s fire safety design➢Offer training – cheaply or free
➢Successful in Belgium, France, Germany, UK…
Known problems – EN 12845
• Most widely used standard in Europe – a national standard that can be referenced by authorities
• But reflects 1990s state of the art
• Under review: first draft 2019 and publication 2022➢Next edition will flow in the same way as a project
➢New guidance on hazard class selection, with more than one design option possible for a hazard class
➢Will include CMSA sprinklers, extended coverage sprinklers, guidance for high ceilings...
Known problems – EN 12845
• No extended coverage sprinklers➢EN 12845 is more expensive than other standards
• Omits many of the storage protection options in NFPA 13, FM data sheets and VdS CEA 4001➢Some risks cannot be protected, others only at more expense
• How do other countries deal with this?➢Create national documents to complement EN 12845
➢Use NFPA 13, FM data sheets or VdS CEA 4001 (no mixing –use their water supply guidance too)
Known problems – gaps in EN 12845
• No guidance for water supplies➢EN 12845 only lists the options
➢Guidance from national organisations, often insurance-led
• No European organisation for questions on EN 12845➢Many countries have a national organisation or committee
➢Those that do not should set one up
➢Meanwhile ask project approval body
Known problems – gaps in standards
• No design and installation standard for residential sprinkler systems➢EN 16925:2018 now available
• No product standard for residential sprinklers➢EN 12259-14 publication this year
Known problems – CE marking
No EN standard for many common components➢Deluge valves, butterfly valves, gate valves, check valves,
couplings, hangers, piping systems, pumps
➢Cannot be CE-marked
➢Poland requires a national mark but there are no test protocols for obtaining one
➢Refer to international approvals (FM, LPCB, UL or VdS)
➢CEN deluge valve and pump standards available soon
➢We will find a way for more components to be CE-marked
Known problems – Quality Assurance
• No requirement to use third party accredited installers
• Third party system inspections not mandatory➢Many systems are installed under a third party accreditation
scheme, such as VdS
➢Some insurers inspect installed systems
➢Encourage authorities to demand third party certificates of compliance – it makes their job easier and will improve system quality
Misconceptions – Life safety
Effect of sprinklers on temperature in a house fire
No sprinklers Sprinklers
Misconceptions – Life safety
Effect of sprinklers on room tenability in a house fireSprinklers reduce fire deaths and injuries by 80-90%
No sprinklers Sprinklers
Misconceptions – Need for a backup
• Some officials ask, “What if the system does not work?”
• Studies show sprinkler systems are 90-100% reliable, depending on the quality assurance arrangements:➢Third party accredited installers
➢Mandatory annual third party inspections
➢Mandatory annual maintenance
• Sprinklers are more reliable than other fire safety measures – residual risk is acceptable
• Fire detection, escape routes and structural fire protection still present – they are the backup
Misconceptions – Need for a backup
Misconceptions – All sprinklers operate
• Each sprinkler individually reacts mechanically to heat➢ Cigarette smoke will not set off a sprinkler
• In most fires only 1 or 2 sprinklers operate – UK data:
65%
20%
Sprinkler system releases less water than a fire hose!
Misconceptions – Poor aesthetics
Where is the sprinkler?
Here
Misconceptions – Poor aesthetics
More misconceptions
• Residents need to be rehoused when sprinklers are retrofitted in an apartment building➢Not true, each apartment can be retrofitted in a day
• Sprinklers are expensive➢In the UK, sprinklers cost €1,500 for a one-bed
apartment and €2,500 with three bedrooms
➢Sprinklers in warehouses cost €40-50/m2
➢Average insured value is €3,000/m2
Summary
• Known problems are not deal-breakers and solutions are available
• Misconceptions are just that. Education quickly makes clear how wrong they are
• Sprinklers are a highly effective, economic and flexible fire safety measure
Thank you!
http://firesprinklerinternational.com/madrid/