People like the convenience and sense of space offered by open-plan properties. However, it does present problems with regard to fire protection; it may mean needing to have a boxed-in staircase in certain properties, for example, in order to provide a safe means of escape. Fortunately, there is another alternative available from Automist installers in Bristol.
Sprinklers in the Home?
You may be surprised at the idea of having a sprinkler system installed in the home, but modern systems are discreet and can be installed with minimal disruption to décor even in older properties. This makes it possible to contemplate open-plan configurations that wouldn’t normally be possible.
They use a mist system that makes them safe for use in all rooms of a house or apartment – even kitchens, where there’s a possibility of chip pan fires. If there are three storeys in a property, it can eliminate the need for a closed stairwell as long as the kitchen is kept separate.
It also makes possible those designs where the only escape route in the event of a fire involves passing through an open area. This type of protection makes it easier to convert lofts and basements too, since it involves less compromise to the design and takes up less space than other ways of providing a safe escape. This helps developers and renovators comply with building regulations relating to fire safety.
How Does It Work?
The system used by Bristol Automist installers has wall plates that can be matched to existing sockets and light fittings. There’s also a pump that can be hidden away discreetly in a cupboard. It doesn’t need large volumes of stored water and can therefore be run directly from the mains. The system is triggered by a heat detector. When the pre-set temperature level is reached, Automist delivers a fine spray of water that deprives the fire of the oxygen it needs to burn and reduces heat; it automatically shuts off after 30 minutes.
Because it delivers a fine spray, which means using much less water, and it shuts itself down, it causes far less damage to property than conventional systems. This fine spray also means it can deal with chip pan fires that would normally be made worse by water-based extinguishing systems.