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/