Rapid mist suppression controlled a cigarette-caused fire before it could spread or cause injury.
In March 2018, a vulnerable resident in Sawston, South Cambridgeshire, faced a significant fire risk due to a discarded cigarette igniting a fire in a bin. This resident, supported by the mental health charity Suffolk Mind, required enhanced fire protection due to their vulnerability. Recognizing the need for a robust fire safety solution, Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service (CFRS) collaborated with Suffolk Mind to install an UltraGuard personal protection system. The goal was to provide immediate fire suppression and ensure the safety of the resident while minimising property damage.
The UltraGuard system was strategically installed in the resident’s home to offer rapid fire detection and suppression. Upon detecting a fire, the system activated, suppressing the flames and simultaneously alerting the Cambridgeshire Combined Fire Control. This dual action ensured that fire crews were dispatched immediately, allowing them to reach the scene promptly. When the fire crews from Cambridge arrived, they found the fire fully extinguished by the UltraGuard system, demonstrating its efficacy in managing fire incidents in vulnerable households.
Group Commander Kevin Napier, responsible for community fire safety at CFRS, emphasized the importance of personal protection systems. These systems are part of a broader initiative where CFRS, in collaboration with local authorities and housing providers, assesses the homes of vulnerable residents to ensure maximum fire safety. The UltraGuard system is particularly beneficial for those with higher risk factors, such as the need for in-home oxygen therapy or restricted mobility.
The successful activation of the UltraGuard system in Sawston not only prevented a potentially devastating fire but also safeguarded the resident, allowing them to return home within 24 hours due to minimal property damage. Andrew Moore, Team Leader at Suffolk Mind, praised the partnership’s outcome, highlighting how the collaboration with CFRS and housing association BPHA supports vulnerable individuals to live safely and independently. The incident underscored the life-saving potential of personal protection systems and validated CFRS’s ongoing efforts to install such systems in other vulnerable residents’ homes across the county.
CFRS’s initiative to install UltraGuard systems has already extended to four other properties, with plans to expand further. This proactive approach ensures that the most vulnerable community members are protected from fire hazards, significantly reducing the risk of fully developed fires that could endanger multiple lives and properties. The collaboration between CFRS, Suffolk Mind, and other partners showcases a successful model of integrating advanced technology with community-based support to enhance fire safety and promote independence among vulnerable populations.
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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.
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