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A PROTOTYPE sprinkler system has been developed which could be installed in UK dwellings at system costs lower than that for traditional domestic sprinkler systems.
According to a new technical research report from Communities and Local Government, the low-cost sprinkler design – based on previous work by BRANZ – combines the domestic water and sprinkler pipe distribution networks. It relies on town mains pressure, rather than an installed pump. If fully developed, the proposed system could be fitted in 60-75% of UK housing stock and potentially save 200 lives per year.
Estimated system installation costs range from £2,080 for a fully furnished house, to £480 for a new build. ‘A significant proportion of the cost of retro-fitting the system in existing properties arises from the installation of a new water supply pipe and mains connection, varying from 40% to 60% of the total system cost,’ says the report.
While the proposed system is thought to be cost beneficial for new build properties, the research says it is likely that specific higher-risk groups would need to be targeted for this to be the case for retrofitted systems.
Further work programmes are being considered, but the report warns that the lack of control over water supplies is the main risk associated with the large-scale roll-out of the proposed design.
Development of a lower-cost sprinkler system for domestic premises in the UK (Fire Research Technical Report 2/2007) is available via the ‘Fire and resilience’ section of: www.communities.gov.uk.
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