A major fire in Liverpool at the end of last year could prompt fresh calls for new fire safety assessments in open-sided car parks. It is understood that pressure groups will demand sprinklers in all ‘at risk’ parking areas. The fire in Merseyside spread to multiple cars, causing hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of damage. More than 1,000 vehicles were destroyed in the blaze.

It has been reported that the fire spread so rapidly a car was catching alight every half a minute. At the moment, open-sided car parks are not required by law to have sprinklers. The Government has, in the past, played down the effectiveness of sprinkler systems in car parks. However, fire safety experts are now suggesting the matter needs to be revisited.

 

Containing fires in car parks

Sprinklers contain fires, delaying the time it takes for them to spread. Firefighters universally back the installation of sprinkler systems in high-risk buildings. It keeps a blaze under control until emergency services get to the scene. One of the biggest concerns about open-sided car parks is that they are often found in multi-purpose buildings, including some tower blocks.

The number of vehicles affected by a blaze in a car park would be significantly reduced by sprinklers. Housing experts are already expressing concerns that fire suppression systems are not more widely used in covered car parks.

 

Nationwide Water Solutions

Nationwide Water Solutions is the UK’s leading independent sprinkler tank specialist. It says: “The risks posed by burning vehicles makes all covered car parks an obvious choice for sprinkler systems. Open-sided covered car parks are no exception.

“We supply sprinkler tanks to ensure sprinklers have the water they need to suppress a fire. Any building owner who is concerned about fire safety in an open-sided covered car park is invited to get in touch. We provide free site surveys and technical advice.”

Nationwide Water Solutions supplies and installs sprinkler tanks. It also maintains and repairs tanks.

For further information, visit the company’s website.