A YEAR-long campaign will be running in Warrington to raise awareness of the benefits of fitting sprinkler systems in business premises.
Led by Cheshire Fire and Rescue’s business safety team, the initiative will not only highlight the benefits sprinkler systems bring to a business, but also encourage decision makers to consider fitting sprinkler systems in all new builds, as well as the retrospective fitting of the devices in older premises.
Business safety Manager Tracey Carter said: “Over the next year my team and I will be providing lots of information and advice to business owners and builders so they understand how sprinklers work and consider fitting them as a fire safety mechanism.
“We’ll also be dispelling the myths that have grown up around sprinklers. For example, it’s a common myth that sprinkler systems go off accidentally and cause excess water damage. It’s also a myth that they cost lots of money to install! What they are designed for is to protect life and property and improve firefighter safety.
“A modern sprinkler system would actually limit damage, helping a business get back up and running quicker, as they limit water to the site of a fire, and some insurance companies even offer large discounts for buildings protected by sprinklers.”
Throughout the 12 month campaign, there will be events, following Covid-19 guidelines, to provide information and host interactive social media chats where people can ask questions around how sprinklers work to extinguish a fire at source.
Prevent and protection manager Lee Shears said: “Fire is indiscriminate. It destroys lives, homes, families, businesses and history that cannot be replaced. Every year people are needlessly killed and seriously injured in fires. People are made homeless as a result of fire, businesses collapse and people lose their livelihoods because of it – lives and properties that could have been saved with the simplest addition of a sprinkler system.
“It is a well-known fact that many businesses that suffer from significant fires and fire damage never return to operation. Sprinklers can safeguard against that and significantly improve business continuity.”
The campaign’s monthly focusses will include sectors such as: schools, factories, care homes and small businesses
For more information about the campaign, how sprinkler systems work and to dispel any myths you may have sit our website or email [email protected].
