Growing concern regarding the speed with which fire can spread between high rise flats and through other HMOs is leading to the retrofitting of sprinkler systems within many building types: leading to an accompanying need for their protection from interference or concealment for aesthetic reasons.
As a result a number of social/private Housing Authorities and sprinkler installers are turning to a specialist British manufacturer, Pendock, for the supply of suitable solutions.
The Pendock lightweight 5mm preformed two sided ‘L’ shaped MX range provides easy handling for fitting at height, which increases the speed of installation where access to an accommodation is limited. The boxing has a durable white melamine finish, which reduces fitting time and maintenance costs (such as painting and cleaning).
MX accessories include internal and external corners, as well as stop-ends, butt joints and access panels. Importantly the Pendock profiles can fit closely around the typical circular sprinkler heads. Mid-wall locations, including bulkheads, can be address using the three-sided version of the MX profiles, encompassed in Pendock’s CH range of channel casings.
The preformed boxing system ensures installation is hassle-free and is screw fixed to two timber battens so that it can be easily de-mountable for maintenance/inspection of the sprinkler system. Battens are typically fixed to the wall and ceiling, however where there is a false or asbestos ceiling Pendock have a new bracket system. This new system means that the asbestos does not need to be removed thus providing environmental benefits to residents and further cost saving, further details can be provided on request.
According to Home Office statistics, there were 1,848 fires in purpose-built flats of four to nine storeys during 2016-17 and 714 in flats of 10 or more. Of the latter, an alarming 56 fires had spread beyond the room where they started.
The need to contain fires is clear to all, while the availability of easy to install and maintain casings from Pendock will make the siting of sprinklers both low cost and low impact for building owners and occupants alike.