FIREFIGHTERS in Mid and West Wales have emphasised the importance of installing sprinkler systems in multi-occupied residential properties after a recent fire at a retirement complex in Pembrokeshire. Crews from Haverfordwest, Milford Haven and Morriston were called to the incident in Steynton, Milford Haven last month, following an automated fire alarm system alert.
The fire broke out in the communal laundry room of the housing complex. Two sprinkler heads actuated on the way to the property, which helped to contain the fire until the crews arrived. On arrival, the crews extinguished the fire using breathing apparatus sets, safety jets, a hose reel jet and a thermal imaging camera. Natural ventilation helped clear smoke.
The sprinkler system contained the fire to the room of origin, and although all 67 residents were evacuated from the housing complex, there were no injuries reported. Siôn Slaymaker, Head of Fire Safety at Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, said: “The incident at this retirement complex in Milford Haven demonstrates the value of automated fire sprinkler systems. These systems suppress or extinguish fires in the early stages of fire, which improves occupant safety, allows additional time for fire crews to assess the incidents they attend and reduces the risk to firefighters.”
Slaymaker added that the outcome of this incident was very different to a major fire that broke out in a residential care home in Hertfordshire in the early hours of the morning. Sprinklers were not fitted and the fire resulted in extensive damage to the property. Three residents required hospital treatment for burns and smoke inhalation, with two residents dying as a result of the fire.
“Since January 2016, all new and converted houses and flats in Wales must have fire sprinkler systems installed, under the Welsh Government’s Domestic Fire Safety (Wales) Measure 2011,” said Slaymaker. “This regulation only applies to domestic or residential buildings, and not buildings used for commercial purposes.”
