Automist domestic fire protection case studies

Automist offers automatic fire suppression, neat and economical installation with the need for significantly less pipework and disruption than a traditional sprinkler system, plus greatly reduced water damage to the fabric of the property in the event of a discharge. An increasing number of organisations and house builders are installing Automist in their developments. Click here to view which layouts are suitable for Automist?

Here is a small selection of our past achievements:

- Macbryde Homes use Automist as an alternative to enclosing stairwells or residential sprinklers

When Macbryde Homes embarked on designing a terrace of 2 1/2 storey homes with open plan kitchen/dining and living room in Llandudno Junction, they were faced with the problem of providing a cost effective and appropriate fire protection solution, which would be acceptable to potential customers. For their contemporary open space design the Building Regulations demand that a protected enclosed stairwell is provided or they require the use of alternative compensatory measures such as sprinklers.

Macbryde Homes believed that Automist would be a more cost-effective solution than sprinklers for the contemporary open plan design of the project and at the same time comply with building regulations. This proposal to use the Automist solution plus a further fire precaution of providing escape windows at first floor level was submitted to Building Control and they were approved as alternative compensatory measures.

- Automist installed at Douglas Fire Station, Isle of Man FRS

Discussion around some of the myths and lack of knowledge and understanding of automatic fire suppression, led to an agreement to fit a tap mounted Automist device in Douglas Fire Station kitchen on the Isle of Man. Whilst not specifically recommended, endorsed or promoted by the Fire and Rescue Service, the local brigade liked the peace of mind the system provided in the knowledge a fire would be fought actively, even if there were no fire-fighters there to tackle it. 60% of all fires in the home start in the kitchen, which is why it is so important to protect this area.

- Affordable fire protection for a 3-storey, late 18th century townhouse in Rochester

Due to the Grade II Listing of the property it was important the fire suppression system should not adversely affect the historic fabric or indeed the newly refurbished décor. Building Regulations demand that a protected enclosed stairwell is provided or alternatively, they require the use of sprinklers or other compensatory measures. An Automist unit was fitted in the open plan kitchen at the base of the monobloc tap in the sink and 2 further units were fitted in the lounge diner on either side of the chimney breast with the small pumps located in the basement. This avoided the need for a hallway leading to the stairs and maintained the open plan design. Because Automist uses a wireless system there was no disruption to the historic fabric of the house and no ugly wires to mar the beamed ceilings or 18th century walls. Automist uses 5 litres per minute per head compared with 65 litres per head generated by sprinklers, greatly reducing the potential for consequential water damage to the fabric of the property, fixtures and fittings in the event of a discharge.

- Westminster Almshouses delighted with trial of new Automist

Almshouses are particularly vulnerable to outbreaks of fire because of the nature of their residents, who are often forgetful and may consequently leave a high risk kitchen appliance unattended. Or they may be physically impaired and unable to reach a nascent fire quickly enough. This kind of residential accommodation is also very often located in old buildings which are difficult to adapt. These are problems experienced by the Westminster Almshouses Foundation, home to 39 people housed in Victorian cottages, which were originally built in 1879. Each is equipped with an alarm system to summon help in an emergency and a smoke alarm. But there remains the problem of a delay after the onset of a fire during which time vulnerable residents could be seriously affected by smoke and/or flames, damage to the fabric of the building and water damage caused by sprinklers or the fire brigade’s hosepipes. When they were asked to trial Automist, which would overcome these serious drawbacks, they were delighted to agree.

“People still die in fires in properties like our Almshouses which are well maintained, have working smoke detection, comply with fire building regulations and are reached promptly by the fire service. Automist provides that much needed added level of protection. We have recommended the product to other almshouses who are also interested in fitting Automist, as they are conscious of the same problems of existing fire detection and suppression arrangements.”

Trevor Hargreaves, Westminster Almshouses’ Deputy Director.

Wall mounted installation for ground floor flash-over avoidance after a loft conversion