Domestic Fire Sprinkler Installation
Comprehensive domestic fire sprinkler installation for home developers
Let us support you in ensuring further fire safety in your domestic housing project with our reliable fire sprinkler installations.
5,000+ installations
The quality, reliability, and professionalism of the Hydro team were second to none. They are an excellent example of a subcontractor in the industry.
Dean Sheridon
Site Manager
Persimmon Homes
The quality, reliability, and professionalism of the Hydro team were second to none. They are an excellent example of a subcontractor in the industry.
Dean Sheridon
Site Manager
Persimmon Homes
5,000+ installations
Advanced systems designed for excellence
What are the benefits of domestic fire sprinklers?
- Quickly and efficiently detecting and suppressing fires in their early stages,
- Minimising fire damage by containing the fire to its area of origin, preventing the fire from spreading and reducing financial loss,
- Lower insurance premiums by ensuring suitable measures to minimise the risk of fire,
- Increased property value, as a property is more attractive when equipped with fire sprinklers,
- Reduced costs in the event of a fire, reducing repair and replacement costs as a result of fire damage,
- Reduced risk of death and injury by controlling the fire early and giving occupants more time to escape safely.
Where are domestic fire sprinklers required?
How are domestic fire sprinklers installed?
To ensure a proper installation of domestic fire sprinklers, the right expertise is required for a seamless integration with your property’s design. Our installation process includes:
- A full assessment of your property, including the layout, fire risks and water supply, so that your system is designed to meet both safety regulations and your requirements, without intruding on the interior aesthetics of the property.
- Pipework & Sprinkler Head Installation to align with your property’s design, ensuring minimal visual impact to maintain a clean finish.
- Testing & commissioning to rigorously test your system to verify its functionality and ensure that it complies with Part B of building regulations.
- Ongoing maintenance with routine inspections to ensure that your system works efficiently and continues to be compliant with fire safety regulations.
Key features of our service
Remote monitoring
Comprehensive reporting
Proactive maintenance
24/7 support and rapid response
Why HYDRO?
- Complies with BS9251:2021 Standards
- Systems that are proven to prevent fire and fatalities
- Controlled activation limits water damage
- Full design-to-installation service
- 360 value proposition covering internal and external works
- Enhanced safety standards and testing
- Without delay, commissioning documentation
- PartB Certified to ensure compliance
- IFC certified for reliability & quality
How we've helped protect homes
- Harris Evolution
Student accommodation block in Bristol
The Hydro process
- Full H&S reports including quality risk assessments and management
- Daily progress reports with photos & video provided
- Regular updates against main contractor construction programme
- End of week delivery synopsis
- Electronic test certificates
- Electronic commissioning reports
- Compliance approval for every installation
FAQs
What is a domestic sprinkler system?
Designed to automatically control and extinguish flames, a domestic sprinkler system is an active fire protection for domestic properties. Consisting of a network of pipes, a water source and sprinkler heads, when the sprinkler heads detect a rise in temperature as a result of a fire, they will activate and spray water onto the flames.
Will all the sprinklers go off at once?
No, this is a common misconception! Domestic sprinkler systems are designed so that each sprinkler head activates independently. Therefore, only the sprinkler heads within the immediate vicinity of the fire will be triggered, containing the fire at its origin. This will minimise water damage across the property.
What's the difference between a mains-fed and tank-fed system?
A mains-fed system utilises the existing domestic water supply, which is boosted by a pump to provide the necessary water pressure. This system is more compact and requires less space.
A tank-fed system relies on a dedicated water storage tank, typically used when the mains water supply is insufficient in terms of pressure or flow.
Both systems are effective; the right choice depends on the property’s water supply.
How visible are the sprinkler heads once installed?
The visibility of the sprinkler heads once installed will depend on the type of sprinkler head you use and the installation method.
We can install concealed sprinkler heads, which are barely noticeable until they are activated. This ensures that aesthetics are not compromised and that the system blends seamlessly into the property’s interior. This makes them an excellent choice for modern properties, as well as retrofitting into older buildings.
What are the key components of a domestic sprinkler system?
A domestic sprinkler system consists of a water supply, a network of pipes, sprinkler heads, pressure gauges, a backflow preventer, a flow switch, pumps and control or alarm valves.
All of these components will work together seamlessly to detect, suppress and control fires before they can cause extensive damage. Each part of the system will play its specific role in ensuring that your building is kept safe.
What are the minimum water flow and pressure requirements for a compliant domestic system?
A compliant domestic sprinkler system for individual dwellings, HMOs, B&Bs and boarding houses will require a minimum run time of 10 minutes, a flow rate of 84-100 litres per minute and a tank size of 1 m3 to 1.5 m3.
Blocks of flats under 18m, small residential care homes, as well as sheltering and extra-care housing, will require a minimum run time of 30 minutes, a flow rate of 84-100 litres per minute and a tank size of 3 m3 to 4.5 m3.
what is the British Standard for domestic sprinklers?
BS 9251 is the British Standard for the design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of fire sprinkler systems for domestic properties in the UK.
Do new homes need sprinklers by law?
The rules for sprinklers in new build homes will depend on your location. If you are unsure as to whether this legislation applies to you, always seek professional advice.
In Wales, all new homes and converted domestic properties should have an automated water suppression system installed.
In England, Approved Document B of the Building Regulations now requires sprinklers to be installed in towers over 11m in height, a reduction from the 18m stipulated in previous years. For ‘dwellinghouses’ with at least two storeys, more than 4.5m above ground level, the upper storeys must have access to at least two stairways, or one fire-protected stairway and a sprinkler system.
Do I need a sprinkler system if I am converting my loft or building a large extension?
When the floor height of the new level exceeds 7.5 metres from the external ground level, stricter fire safety requirements can come into play. The main staircase from the loft conversion to the ground floor must be a ‘protected escape route’, enclosed with fire-resistant construction, including fire doors and specific plasterboard, giving inhabitants a safe path out.
If your staircase ends in an open-plan space, you will have three choices for compliance. Enclosing and compartmenting the staircase with fire-rated walls and fire doors, separating it from the open-plan area, installing a sprinkler system to protect the escape route, or a combination of both.
For a large extension that is more than 7.5 metres from ground level, an automatic fire suppression system is generally mandatory throughout. In England, building regulations state that a sprinkler system is ‘required in single dwellings when the highest habitable floor is over 7.5 metres high, or as a compensatory measure for open-plan layouts in 3-storey homes’.
Does installing a fire sprinkler system reduce home insurance premiums?
Installing a fire sprinkler system can significantly reduce your home insurance premiums. This is because it lowers the risk of fire damage, and in turn, makes your home a lower-risk property to insure.
What specific certification or documentation do I receive after commissioning?
Once your fire sprinkler system is commissioned, you will receive a handover documentation pack that includes certificates of design, installation and commissioning, as well as detailed system information.
What happens if I make major interior changes after the system is installed?
Major interior changes can interfere with the functionality and effectiveness of a sprinkler system. The system will be designed on the original room layout and fire load. Modifications may obstruct water flow, so you may need to move the sprinkler heads or recalculate the system to remain compliant with fire codes and ensure proper operation in an emergency.
What are the requirements for installing a sprinkler system in a building with listed status or heritage constraints?
To install a fire sprinkler system in a listed building or one with heritage constraints, a delicate balance must be maintained between modern fire safety requirements and the preservation of the historical character.
Key aspects of this approach include you acquiring listed building consent, implementing a specialist fire engineering solution and using minimally invasive installation techniques.
What is the required clearance or distance we must maintain between a sprinkler head and light fittings or vents?
The required distance between a sprinkler head and light fittings or vents will vary.
A common minimum clearance around a sprinkler head is 18 inches in all directions to prevent obstruction. For certain residential applications, a minimum of 3 feet is required from the centre of a light fixture. The required clearance will depend on the building’s hazard level; however, sprinklers must be kept a sufficient distance from heat sources such as lights and vents.
Will just a smoke alarm be enough?
How much water damage will they cause?
What about accidental activation?
Can the sprinkler system freeze in cold weather?
Frozen water in your sprinkler system can freeze, causing damage to the equipment and potentially hindering it in the event of an emergency. Keeping your system maintained and tested throughout the year will ensure it’s in full working order and not at risk of freezing.
Arrangements can be made proactively to reduce the risk of freezing, including ensuring water is continually running through the pipes and insulating unheated or dormant spaces to keep the pipes above freezing temperatures.
What’s the lifespan of a domestic sprinkler system?
A domestic sprinkler system has a lifespan of around 20-25 years, if the system is well-maintained.
What is the environmental impact of a domestic sprinkler system in terms of water usage during a test or activation?
During activation, a domestic sprinkler system will use a minimal amount of water. Therefore, they have a positive environmental impact compared to the water usage of an uncontrolled fire and firefighting efforts.
If the power goes out, will my sprinkler system still be operational?
Yes, many fire sprinkler systems are designed to operate during a power outage. As the sprinkler heads are triggered by heat, they will not require electricity to release water. However, if your system relies on a pump and water storage tank, the pump must be operational. Systems with a pump are required by BS 9251:2021 to have a compliant, monitored, standby power supply to ensure that the system remains fully functional during a mains power outage.
What is the environmental benefit of choosing a fire sprinkler system over traditional firefighting methods?
When a fire sprinkler system extinguishes a fire, rather than traditional firefighting methods, drastically less water is used. A single sprinkler head will use 15-25 gallons of water per minute, whereas a fire hose can discharge around 250 gallons per minute.
What happens to the water supply after a sprinkler is activated? Is the water turned off automatically?
After a sprinkler is activated, the water supply will flow until the fire is extinguished or the system is manually shut off.
How often do domestic fire sprinklers need maintenance?
For a domestic fire sprinkler system, annual servicing is recommended. This is essential to ensure that the system remains in good working order. A professional technician checks for damage, corrosion or leaks, tests the water pressure and flow, and inspects the pump and alarm systems.
Can a domestic sprinkler system be installed in an older home?
Do you offer a maintenance service?
Yes, here at Hydro Protect, we offer a fire sprinkler servicing and maintenance service. We’ll ensure that your domestic sprinkler system is fully operational and compliant, ready to protect lives and property when it is needed most.
What is planned preventative maintenance?
Planned preventative maintenance is the proactive strategy of scheduling regular servicing and repairs to prevent unexpected equipment failures. This will ensure that your sprinkler system is kept in good working order, extending its lifespan and ensuring compliance with safety regulation standards.
Why is it important to maintain a domestic sprinkler system?
A domestic sprinkler system’s main job is to protect lives and property in the event of an emergency. Ensuring continuous monitoring and maintenance is carried out will reduce the risk of system failures and enhance the overall safety of the property.
Protect lives & property with confidence
Contact us for a no-obligation chat to discuss using Hydro in your next home or residential construction project.