Ultra's 24/7 Guard Against Arson

Ultra Surefire’s water mist systems have continually demonstrated their value in protecting vulnerable people such as the elderly and those with disabilities. Rapidly suppressing fire with their gentle but highly effective clouds of tiny micro-droplets, our water mist fire protection solutions provide a first line of protection for a wide range of applications, from safeguarding care home residents to protecting individuals at risk in their own properties.

Unfortunately, fire hazards are now increasingly generated as a result of criminal activity. Recent statistics claim that arson is the fastest growing crime in the UK. Every week an average of 2,100 fires are started deliberately across the UK, resulting in a weekly average of 55 injuries and two deaths. The cost per week is a staggering £40 million.

(see http://www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/info/870/community_safety/222/arson)

However, once again water mist systems are on hand with their invaluable fire suppression capabilities. Recent tests carried out at Surrey Fire & Rescue Service have proved how our UltraGuard portable water mist fire protection system can deal with arson attacks. The tests (involving cardboard sheeting soaked in four litres of petrol and ignited) showed how UltraGuard could be activated by a flame detector or smoke detector to rapidly to lower the fire temperature. Simultaneously, carbon monoxide and noxious gas levels were reduced to survivable levels and the fire suppressed within seconds.

The demonstrations were organised by Fire Investigation and Arson Reduction Manager Bryn Strudwick and attended by Mark Howells, Surrey Police Crime Reduction Advisor, who respond to concerns of the police and rescue services about known threats of petrol arson attacks being made on families in the UK. Bryn Strudwick explained that typically, arson attacks on households involve between one and five litres of petrol being poured through the letterbox and then ignited. He added that “With stairways frequently leading directly from the front door area, fire can migrate rapidly to upper levels. These tests have confirmed that the UltraGuard water mist system is a fast reacting and effective barrier for protecting those at risk.”

.

UltraGuard portable water mist system has received growing interest from fire and rescue services across the UK in line with their desire to have sprinkler or misting systems installed in the homes of the elderly and vulnerable. Those lacking mobility and particularly smokers are most at risk.

Recently, BBC East Midlands TV highlighted the UltraGuard installation by the Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service after a Home Fire Safety Check at the property of an elderly lady in Long Eaton. A short while later a fire caused by a cigarette falling into a litter bin could have had disastrous consequences but for UltraGuard’s fast-acting water mist fire suppression.

Following a similar event involving UltraGuard coming to the rescue of an 86 year old smoker whose cigarette had ignited newspapers in his living room, Chief Fire Officer Martyn Emberson of Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service fully endorsed the provision and installation of the UltraGuard water mist system to help protect the most vulnerable in society. “It really is like having your own fire fighter on hand 24/7 to put out a fire,” he said.

Holding 110 litres of water, UltraGuard acts as a first response in protecting the vulnerable. The system’s gentle water mist action will extinguish fire and the system is engineered to alert the fire and rescue services. The system can be installed in the hallway or fitted remotely with the nozzle in place to cover the area requiring protection.

UltraGuard, using only a small amount of foam additive, will fully safeguard a space of up to 20 square metres and yet only uses 10% of the water required by conventional sprinklers. This minimises water damage to the property and assets as well as saving the occupants from the danger of injury or death.

The tests at Surrey Fire & Rescue also involved a bed fire with duvet and pillow that was rapidly and successfully extinguished by Ultra Surefire’s new VillaMist domestic fire protection system. There’ll be more news coming about this exciting new safeguard against fires in the home, so watch this space!