Our expertise in installation of fire suppressions systems extends to all types of structures, including car parks.
Fire sprinklers have been highly recommended by those in charge of safety and compliance of these buildings, and especially for multi-storey car parks which can house hundreds, if not thousands of vehicles at any given time.
However, current legislation, such as “The Building Regulations 2021, Approved Document B, Volume 2” does not make this a required safety precaution.
At Base Fire Sprinklers, we help developers, managers, and companies to ensure the buildings they are in charge of are as safe from fire damage as possible.
Our commitment to the latest standard of fire safety is highlighted by our accreditations with FIRAS, BAFSA, and SafeContractors, which are reserved for the leading experts in the sector.
With over 30 years of experience in the installation of fire sprinklers in the UK, the team at Base Fire Sprinklers offers sound advice and the best fire sprinkler solutions for your car park, or commercial and residential buildings.
Contact us today.
If you’re looking for a fire sprinkler system installation company to help you navigate the challenges of installing a fire suppression system in a car park, trust Base Fire Sprinklers.
Call now on 0800 009 6906.
Do fire sprinklers protect car parks from fire?
Because of the nature of the usage of car parks, many doubt whether fire sprinklers can be an effective solution in the presence of petrol, diesel, and large lithium batteries.
However, a large study conducted by the UK Government found that automatic fire sprinklers have been 99% effective when used in car parks over a 10 year period.
This is in line with the figures regarding residential buildings, and indicates that this type of fire suppression system is the leading solution to ensure buildings of all types are safe from fire damage.
I would like to compliment the engineers that we have met on site who have completed the servicing and repair works on the systems....I cannot find one area where I would be unhappy with the service we have received.
Jack Newell, Weaver Vale Housing Trust
Is installing fire sprinklers in car parks required by law?
Fire sprinkler systems are not explicitly required in car parks, however they have been found to be much more effective and efficient than any other fire suppression system in these areas.
Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (FSO), car park operators are legally required to ensure the safety of occupants by implementing appropriate fire safety measures. This includes conducting regular fire risk assessments and installing suitable fire detection and suppression systems. Compliance with Building Regulations Approved Document B (Fire Safety) and adherence to British Standards are essential for meeting these legal obligations.
What fire risks do cars pose?
The main concern for fire safety in car parks is, unsurprisingly, the vehicles that are stored within them. While the car industry has made a substantial move towards electric and hybrid vehicles, all types of cars and motorcycles can pose a risk of fires.
Fire Risk of Electric Vehicles (EV)
There have been growing concerns regarding the safety of EV batteries when it comes to fires. These can be split into two categories: a higher frequency of fires, and less controllable fires. While the batteries in electric vehicles do pose a significant fire risk (flames from lithium batteries can burn 3 times hotter and are more likely to reignite once put out), EVs are much less likely to cause fires than their average Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) counterpart.
The London Fire Brigade revealed 54 EV fires compared to 1898 ICE related fires in 2019. This figure does not account for the higher impedance of ICE cars on the road, however global figures indicate EVs suffer from 5 fires every billion miles travelled, while ICE cars have 55.
Fire Hazards for Internal Combustion Engines (ICE) Vehicles
ICE Vehicle fires can be destructive because of the nature of the combustible fuel inside them, paired with hot engine components and moving parts. These fires may be easier to put out depending on the environment, but can easily spread inside car parks.
It should also be considered that many ICE vehicles on the road can be older and more prone to electrical and mechanical failures, leading to more frequent fire hazards.
What are some special considerations when installing fire sprinklers in car parks?
Each type of fire sprinkler installation must consider the special requirements of the structure. Car parks, especially larger multi-storey or underground spaces, present unique challenges which a specialist fire sprinkler installation company can help you address.
The first concern is fire sprinkler choice and placement. The size and layout of the space must be thoroughly analysed to ensure optimal water distribution and response times, so fires can be extinguished quickly and safely. We use industry standard, cutting-edge software like AutoCAD and Canute FHC to run realistic simulations of incident response, and plan our installation accordingly.
Additionally, car parks fire suppression systems must take into account ventilation solutions to reduce the risk of toxic fume buildup in the event of a fire. This is especially true in large and underground structures, as often the only reported injuries from these fires are smoke related.
It is also important to have trained staff on site. Many incidents can be contained before emergency services respond, and evacuation can begin to limit the damages to the users while the fire is extinguished.
Notable car park fires
Luton Airport Car Park
On the 10th of October 2023, a fire started in the multi-storey car park at Luton Airport. The structure is designed to hold up to 1,500 vehicles, and as many as 1,200 have been reported to be damaged beyond repair. The fire is believed to have started due to a vehicle fault, and caused structural damage to the building that required demolition. At the height of the 12-hour blaze, up to 100 firefighters have been reported to attend.
Liverpool King’s Dock
The New Year’s Eve 2017 fire at the multi-storey car park in King’s Dock in Liverpool reached temperatures of 1000C. The nearby Echo Arena was evacuated, as were nearby residents who witnessed one of the most destructive fires in recent memory. Thankfully, there were no reports of injuries, however the damages from the destruction of vehicles alone was projected to be near £20 million. This building was also demolished, with plans for a 9-storey car park to replace it.
Why were these car park fires so destructive?
There is one common element between these two notable incidents, which caused millions of pounds of damages and destroyed thousands of vehicles: neither structure was fitted with fire sprinklers. Ali Perry, Chief Executive of the British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association (BAFSA) has labelled the more recent Luton fire as a “regrettable reminder of why BAFSA continues to call for sprinklers to be fitted in all modern, multi-storey car parks”.
Following the incidents, the Fire Protection Association (FPA) has updated the guidance regarding car parks to include them in the list of High Hazard Process (HHP) buildings instead of Ordinary Hazard (OH).
Contact us for Car Park Sprinkler Installations
Our specialist Car Park Fire Sprinkler Installers at Base Fire Sprinklers have years of experience planning, installing, and maintaining fire suppression systems in a variety of buildings and structures, both residential and commercial.
Our qualifications and memberships with BAFSA, FIRAS and SafeContractors highlight our commitment to ensuring the safety of every project we work on. Our installation process is designed with one priority: the safety of your building and occupants through optimal, efficient, and quick response.
If you are managing, planning, or building a car park in the UK, considering fire safety measures, and especially a fire sprinkler system, is crucial, and highly recommended by both governmental and independent guidelines.
Contact Base Fire Sprinklers today to find out how we can help you make your car park compliant and safe today.
