Film and recording studios hold important assets that have more than monetary value. In some cases historic artefacts as well as recordings are stored in often large complexes. Fire safety should be paramount. Artists have launched a legal challenge against one studio after a fire purportedly destroyed a large number of recordings. A lawsuit seeking £78m in damages has been filed by the estates of Tom Petty and Tupac Shakur, as well as bands and singer-songwriters.
This week, more than 75 firefighters tackled another blaze at a film studio near London. The studio is famed for spawning the Harry Potter films. While there are no reports of injuries, any damage to creative works, props and other assets could prove costly or impossible to replace. While it is not known if automatic sprinkler systems were installed in either of the two studios mentioned here, they are designed to prevent fires from spreading.
Water storage is the star of fire fighting
A spokesman for Nationwide Water Solutions, the UK’s leading sprinkler tank specialist, said: “If a studio is looking for a real A-lister, a sprinkler tank is cheaper than a celebrity and a real star when it comes to ensuring automatic sprinkler systems work properly. They store water around the clock, guaranteeing there is always water available in the right quantity, at the right time to contain a blaze. We recommend fire tanks for a wide range of building types, and recording studios are among them.”
The spokesman added: “A fire can occur at any time and knowing you have water available to fight it immediately offers real peace of mind. Many people don’t realise that firefighters can struggle to access enough water to tackle a large fire. That is why fire and rescue services have water carriers, but they are often only called in once initial crews are on the scene. Time is everything when fighting a fire. That is why it is best to have your own constant supply.”
Sprinkler tank site survey for film and recording studios
Nationwide Water Solutions carries out free site surveys for property owners contemplating the benefits of a sprinkler tank. If you are reviewing your fire safety equipment, get in touch.