Automatic Sprinkler Systems

Automatic sprinkler installations are the most reliable general systems available for protecting buildings against fire, provided they are properly maintained.  It is important that systems are designed and installed by approved specialist firms and that they conform to the LPC Rules for Automatic Sprinkler Installations.

The Fire Safety Manager will normally have overall responsibility for the sprinkler system.  A sprinkler installation is a complicated piece of engineering and the Fire Safety Manager should be trained – preferably by the sprinkler installation company – to understand the system fully and to be competent enough to carry our or supervise regular inspection and maintenance procedures.

Regular inspections and tests by Fire Safety Manager

Inspections and tests should be carried out by the person responsible for the system: the Fire Safety Manager.  Preferably these inspections should be carried out on weekdays when it is possible to effect immediate repairs. Servicing should not take place at a weekend unless the person responsible is confident that all the necessary resources are available to complete the task and recommission the system.

If a serious fault is found the leading fire insurers should be informed immediately and the sprinkler installing company engaged as soon as possible to correct the fault.  In cases where a sprinkler system has to be turned off as a matter of urgency or where it accidentally becomes inoperative, the insurers should be notified as soon as possible.

Completed checklists should be retained after each inspection or test to provide a written record of the systems condition.

The fire brigade and/or central alarm depot should be warned before any directly connected alarms are tested.

As the sequence in which inspections and tests are carried out depends on the arrangement of the plant, checklists may require re-scheduling.

Changes in risk and layout

Changes in structure, occupancy, storage layout or heating and lighting equipment may call for modification of the sprinkler system.

The need to update the system in this way should be constantly borne in mind and the fire insurers and installing contractors consulted before any such changes are carried out.