Office premises that have sprinklers installed are permitted by building regulations to have twice the allowable compartment size than unsprinklered offices.

Hazard identification and classification of an office building provides the basis for the design of the sprinkler system, it is usually carried out by the Insurer or Fire Authority.

The hazard classification affects the choice of installation, operational method, water supply arrangements and pipework design. Offices are normally classified as Ordinary Hazard or Light Hazard.

It also determines the area of coverage per sprinkler head and density of water required per head.
Usually standard closed head sprinklers are used, which can be concealed if required.

If the offices are situated over several floors, the landlord should have supplied a zone check on each level. This enables testing of the sprinkler system without having to draw off water from the system.

Sprinklers in a car park environment minimise the damage caused by fire by being activated at an early stage. Fires starting in car parks can be fast spreading and sprinklers are the norm for protecting this type of property.

Sprinkler systems in car parks are normally Alternate Systems. These operate in wet or dry mode, which reduces the risk of damage from freezing during the winter months.

Sprinkler systems within hotels are covered by a variety of hazard groups, but most will come under Light or Ordinary Hazard of BS 5306:part 2.

The sprinkler heads could be either standard closed head sprinklers or concealed sprinklers.

Larger hotels may also require a zone check at each floor level.

Smaller hotels may be protected under Code of Practice DD 251 ‘Sprinkler Systems for Residential and Domestic Occupancies’ instead of BS 5306: Part 2.

If you need any further advice regarding sprinkler systems for hotels car parks or office accommodation please call us on 01769 574070 or email fds@fire-defence.com