After a year's work, BSI has issued BS 9251:2014(fire sprinkler systems for domestic and residential occupancies – code of practice) for public comment. The Revised standard is considerably changed from the 2005 version, providing more clarification and insight. One of the significant changes is that it has removed 'residential' and 'domestic' classifications in favour of type 1, type 2 and type 3 classifications. This is undoubtedly a move in the right direction and will be given much more flexibility.

We have just booked for the London fire sprinkler international 2014 conference. 

The two-day program is filled with international speakers from around Europe and the USA. Will provide a great opportunity for delegates to keep abreast of the latest developments and standards in fire sprinkler technology in an ever-changing market. It will also be interesting to see how other countries have developed the market and persuaded legislators of the benefits fire sprinkler systems.

The conference is to be held on the 20^th and 21^st May 2014 at the Trinity Suite, Grangetown bridge hotel, London. You can find out more information and booking information at the conferences website London fire sprinkler international 2014

The Conference program details the full programme of the conference over the two days

Canute look forward to attending the conference and meeting many of our customers.

 INSAT standards organization has published a draft standard pr INSTA 900-3 : 2013(E) - (Residential sprinkler systems — Part 3: Watermist systems equivalent to residential sprinklers). This standard continues the work of the Nordic group to produce a series of standards for Residential Sprinkler System and part three coves the test methods for alternative water base fire fighting systems as required in INSTA 900-1 and 2.

The INSTA 900-3  standard allows equivalency to be established using any of three different fire test protocols: UL 1626, FM 2030 or DD 8458. We are informed that it will not be long before DD 8458 to be converted into a full British Standard.

Canute LLP are pleased to announce that it has been accepted as a member of the European Fire Sprinkler Network. The EFSN is a coalition of fire safety, political and other relevant communities which encourages the use of fire sprinklers to save lives and protect property and the environment.

John Moore, partner at Canute LLP said "We are very pleased to be able to support the work of the EFSN and to be part of the wider fire sprinkler community in Europe. It's by working together that we can both educate and expand the market and help reduce fire deaths; helping to make the world a safer place"

The European Fire Sprinkler Network collects and distributes accurate information about fire losses and fire sprinklers, and connects and supports those who believe that fitting fire sprinklers is essential to help Europe save itself from fire.

Working with its members, the Network establishes contacts with those responsible for fire safety at a European level, so as to inform and educate them about the benefits of fire sprinklers.

A fire in a third floor apartment in Pasadena had been extinguished by a fire sprinkler system before the Fire Department arrived. On investigation it was found that several more fire had been set in the apartment intentionally.

The fire damage to the apartment was minimal and no one was injured this was due to the fast acting fire sprinkler system

A juvenile was later charged with arson

Alan Brinson of the EFSN advises that the Rome daily I Messaggiero reports that a fire started at 11.30 on 30 August in the Standa Oviesse department store in Trastevere. The sprinkler system operated and extinguished the fire. Meanwhile, the fire services helped customers to evacuate the store. Nobody was hurt. The fire is believed to have been started by a homeless person who was seen in the store near where the fire started.

The BBC Northern Ireland carried this story on 15 October:

"Police appealed for keyholders to check premises. Police have warned traders in Newtownabbey to be extra vigilant after a firebomb attack on a B&Q store in the area.    The store on Mill Road sustained smoke and water damage after a fire broke out near wood in the DIY section. The sprinkler system kept the fire under control until firefighters arrived at about 2340 BST on Saturday.    

Assistant Divisional Commander Gary Allen of the NI Fire and Rescue Service said the system prevented major damage.    "We went in and found the fire and put it out. When we were looking through the material that had been burning we found one of the devices placed within a quantity of wood," he said.    "Because of the sprinklers in the B&Q premises, the fire was very, very small and we were able to deal with it quickly and stop it spreading."   

 BAFSA Member John McCann of API Vipond says that this is the third such fire and sprinkler stop involving B&Q stores in the province. A similar fire at the DIY chain's premises at Coleraine on Sunday 8th October was also controlled by the sprinkler system.

After a long delay, Marioff has received permission to announce that its HI-FOG system is being fitted in the A86 car tunnel west of Paris.

The A86 links Brussels via Paris to Bordeaux. The autoroute passes through a densely populated area, and therefore it will run through a tunnel. The first section of the tunnel, 4.5km long and runs cars in two lanes with a hard shoulder and on two levels in opposite directions, is due to be opened in October 2007.

The HI-FOG water mist system releases water at high pressure as a mist over three sections simultaneously, each 33m long, so that 100m of the length of the tunnel are covered by mist.

In tests, the mist was proven to control the fire and knock down temperatures to 50 deg C at only a few tens of metres from the fire. Without fire suppression, the temperature in a tunnel fire can rise above 1200 C, and the heat and smoke can trap passengers.

This is the first tunnel in France to be protected by a fire suppression system and is the longest tunnel in Europe to be protected from fire in this way.

European Fire Sprinkler Network

Buckinghamshire Fire Brigade was called at 11:18 on Sunday 30th July to Pinewood Studios, northwest of London. The Albert Broccoli 007 Stage, the largest sound studio in Europe and which had just completed the filming of Casino Royale, was on fire.

Over 60 firefighters attended but were unable to prevent the collapse of the roof and the destruction of the studio. This is the third major fire at Pinewood Studios and the 007 Stage itself was built following the destruction of the previous James Bond studio in a fire at Pinewood Studios in 1984.