An overnight fire was quickly suppressed, limiting damage and enabling a fast emergency response.
In June 2020, Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service (CFRS) identified a high-risk resident in Huntingdonshire whose vulnerability necessitated enhanced fire protection measures. The resident’s habit of smoking indoors presented a significant fire hazard, as evidenced by a previous incident where a discarded cigarette ignited a fire in a plastic bin. CFRS partnered with a local housing provider to install a personal protection system (PPS), designed to suppress fires and alert emergency services immediately, thereby safeguarding the resident and minimising property damage.
TCFRS installed a self-contained, portable PPS unit in the resident’s home. This misting system functions similarly to traditional sprinklers but is tailored for single-room fire suppression, ensuring minimal property damage while effectively extinguishing fires. The PPS is integrated with CFRS’s Combined Fire Control, which receives an alert when the system activates. In the June 2020 incident, the smoke from the ignited bin triggered the PPS, which promptly released a fine mist, containing and extinguishing the fire before it could spread to the resident’s chair. This swift action enabled fire crews to arrive and rescue the resident, who was treated for smoke inhalation by the Ambulance Service.
The PPS installation proved life-saving, preventing a potentially devastating fire and allowing the resident to avoid severe injury. The
minimal property damage meant the home could be quickly restored to a habitable condition by the housing provider. Group Commander Paul Clarke, Head of Fire Prevention for CFRS, praised the system’s effectiveness, noting that it not only suppressed but extinguished the fire, saving the resident’s life.
CFRS’s proactive approach, in collaboration with local authorities and housing providers, has led to the installation of 17 PPS units across Cambridgeshire, with plans for more. These systems are especially beneficial for residents with higher fire risks, such as those needing in-home oxygen therapy or with limited mobility. CFRS also ensures ongoing safety by servicing the systems and conducting welfare checks every six months. This initiative underscores the commitment to protecting the most vulnerable community members from fire hazards, enhancing their safety and reducing the risk of fully developed fires that could threaten multiple properties and lives.
We believe in being judged by our results – here are just some of the things our clients say about working with us. From fire safety and security to electrical and data solutions, our trusted services help UK businesses stay protected, connected, and compliant.
EA-RS are an excellent contractor with a very good level of service delivery, and always work well under pressure, especially when tight deadlines need to be met. I wouldn’t hesitate in employing them for any future contracts.
EA-RS worked very closely with my team throughout, always striving to exceed expectations, with consistently high levels of workmanship and fire stopping throughout, with a high volume of projects being managed simultaneously and efficiently.
EA-RS have a depth of expertise from a technical point of view. They provide detailed support in relation to Health Technical Memorandum (HTM) compliance. The other companies we’ve used before don’t have the same level of expertise.
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