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In the first 5 months of this year, there have been 28 fire deaths in Scotland this is a considerable increase in deaths due to fire in Scotland from the previous year.  We already know those who are at greatest risk from death by fire, those who live alone, persons with physical or mental health conditions or have issues with alcohol and drugs. Last week saw the chief fire offices in Scotland making a public appeal for the public to put them in touch with those who are most at risk surely this can only be a short-term solution.

Scotland already has significantly better legislative requirements for fire sprinklers to be installed than we do in England. They already require sprinkler systems in residential care homes and sheltered housing and this was brought about after a change in the Scottish building regulations after a serious fire in a care home that costs the lives of many.

Yesterday we held one of our FHC training days in association with Xact and were delighted to have 10 delegates, 2 of which travelled from South Africa to be with us.  What’s encouraging is that all the delegates take away useful techniques to help them use our software to its fullest extent, from complete beginners to those who have been using the software for many years.

A fire broke out at Marriotts School in Stevenage on the second floor of the main building in a toilet cubicle.  The sprinkler system activated and extinguished the fire within minutes with minimal damage to the school building.  This has to be seen as another great example of a fire sprinkler system, saving both life and property. 

But apparently, there is a downside to the fire sprinkler saving the building as all the electrics had to be switched off, the school evacuated and pupils sent home. It's always interesting to see how the press has a negative spin on everything.  The fact that the sprinkler operated and did what it was meant to do properly saved more extensive damage means that pupils will be able to return to their education swiftly with minimal disruption.  The water released by the sprinklers will have been far less than would have been used in fighting a larger fire which is what would have happened is sprinklers were not installed. How many days with the school has been shut then?

The long-awaited revision to BS 9251 (fire sprinklers systems for domestic and residential occupancies – Code of practice) has now been published by BSI and is available to purchase through their website, the standard will come into effect from 31 October 2014. The new BS 9251 standard is a comprehensive revision and will help both designers and specifies provide excellent fire sprinkler protection to help protect the most vulnerable in our society.