The Christmas period has been marred by tragedy, making this feature about fire sprinkler water storage for landlords timely. A fire claimed a life on Christmas Day and yesterday (Boxing Day) a second fatality was reported in a separate incident. Below, you will discover some of the penalties handed down to landlords who fail to take safety seriously. To highlight the point that fires can happen anywhere, at anytime, here is some information about recent incidents.
Emergency services reported a man had died in the Normanton area of Derby on Boxing Day. Fire crews had been called to a property at 14.10pm. While the cause of the blaze is not yet known, police are appealing for dashcam and CCTV footage of the area. They are interested in seeing images taken between 11am and 1.45pm. Meanwhile, a non-fatal fire, was started on Christmas Day by a 45-year-old tortoise. Essex firefighters say the pet knocked a heat lamp over, sparking the blaze. The creature was rescued.
Today (December 26) a blaze broke out on the 22nd floor of an apartment block in Glasgow. The early morning emergency was reported at around 5am and saw three people treated at the scene and two taken to hospital. In total, five appliances tackled the blaze – the second to be reported in Glasgow this morning.
Also in Scotland, a fire at a ski resort forced the attraction to close on Boxing Day. The Times reported that a blaze the day before badly damaged the resort’s base station and cut off power supplies to accommodation.
Fire safety for rented or leased accommodation
Whether you are a buy to let landlord or a commercial property owner, fire safety should be your number one priority. Apart from protecting your assets, a good fire safety system will reduce damage in the event of a fire and save lives. If you invest wisely, you can reduce insurance premiums too. That is why fire sprinkler water storage makes sense, especially for large or complex buildings.
A sprinkler system that benefits from on-site emergency water offers a high level of protection. It negates the need to rely on mains water. If you are looking for an effective way to contain a blaze and stop it from spreading, this is a great investment. Industrial, multi storey and vulnerable buildings can all benefit.
If you are investing in a sprinkler system for the first time, it pays to talk to a sprinkler tank expert about the wide range of economical options. Fire tanks come in a multitude of shapes and sizes and can even be custom-made to fit specific sites. What’s more, they can be fabricated from a variety of different materials – giving you control over your budget.
The best installers are those who provide a free site survey and technical advice, as well as ongoing maintenance and inspection services.
Fire sprinkler water storage
The causes of fire can be unpredictable – like the tortoise knocking over its heat lamp. That is why you should always be prepared for one and have the necessary equipment in place to minimise the impact. Manufacturing, storage and industrial buildings, along with tower blocks and historic structures, are deemed among those most at risk. However, municipalities should also make the right fire safety choices to protect the public purse.
Skimping on basic safety essentials can prove costly. It can also cause untold misery – not just for your tenants or leaseholders but also you. Landlords can face stiff financial penalties for failing to ensure their buildings are safe. One landlord was fined a total of £20,000 after he failed to ensure fire alarms were tested. A blaze broke out in the block of flats, leaving two people trapped.
The fire happened just weeks after the landlord was informed a smoke alarm was not working. The incident occurred in a converted Victorian building, spread over three floors. Luckily, firefighters were able to reach those who were trapped, and no major injuries were reported. However, the courts took a dim view of the landlord’s oversight. He was charged with two matters of failing to comply with fire safety requirements.
In addition to the heavy fine, the landlord was also ordered to pay costs in excess of £1,740.
Make fire safety easy
By getting the right advice, you can protect your building and its occupants around the clock. A fire sprinkler water storage tank is the best way to ensure you always have water available to tackle a fire immediately. Your tenants won’t have to wait for the fire brigade to arrive, sprinklers will deliver water automatically to the seat of the fire. As well as being extremely effective, this type of water storage saves vital time.
In fact, an historic building in Hampshire owes its continued existence to a sprinkler system. The Solent Flour Mills in Southampton was heavily smoke logged but avoided major damage. The fire broke out on the second floor of the building. At the time, the company based in the building said a more serious fire would have been catastrophic. A spokesperson said the sprinkler system didn’t just save the building and lives – it saved the business and jobs.
Meanwhile, a care home in Brighton was also saved by sprinklers. An electrical fault caused a fire in an unoccupied resident’s room. However, the alarm was raised in just two minutes. By the time fire crews arrived on the scene, the fire was out. The home’s sprinklers had actually started to work within seconds – something the local fire and rescue service was quick to highlight. A spokesman said the incident demonstrated how sprinklers can reduce fire, heat and smoke damage. He further pointed out that such systems are now more accessible and cost effective, making them suitable for many different types of buildings.
Fire suppression equipment with its own supply of water has been credited with saving a multitude of premises – and lives – from an Asda in Rotherham to a paper mill in Leicester. A school in Gateshead was also saved, along with countless homes. If you want to find out more about the benefits of installation a sprinkler tank, talk to an expert. It costs nothing to get advice and, for a reasonable outlay, you can protect your building and business for many years.