Páginas: 22-3
Autor:

Ian Gough
Technical Advisor, British Automatic Sprinkler Association (BASA)

Introducción:

Sprinkler systems have been proven in use for well over 100 years and over 40 million sprinklers are fitted worldwide each year. Possibly the oldest in Britain was fitted in 1812 at the Theatre Royal in Drury Lane, London, and in its updated form is still in use today.

European statistics over a 10-year period reveal that losses from fires in buildings protected with sprinklers are estimated to be 1/10 of those in unprotected buildings. Furthermore, in buildings fully protected by sprinklers:

? 99% of fires were controlled by sprinklers alone; and
? 60% of fires were controlled by the spray from no more than four sprinklers.

Unfortunately, one of the many reasons that are given by building owners or managers for not installing fire sprinkler systems is the worry of accidental operation and fear of water damage. Loss Prevention Council (LPC) data, however, reveals that accidental discharge of water due to manufacturing defects is one in 14 million (per year of service).
Gough, Ian