There has been a change to Clause 21 of EN 12845 in respect of sprinkler system inspections.

An amendment has been passed which clarifies who should be carrying out checks. The amendment removes the requirement for annual inspections to be carried out by third parties. However, the need for the inspection remains and, in an annexe to the change, it is recommended checks are still carried out by a third party. All inspections must be undertaken by a ‘qualified person’.

Clause 21 has been replaced by the following wording: “The sprinkler system shall be periodically inspected by a qualified person at least once a year (see Annex Q). The inspection report shall assess whether the system is in accordance with this standard, with regard but not limited to maintenance, operation and adequacy for the risk involved. A list of deviations shall be issued for action.”

However, the new Annex Q states: “When performing periodic inspection, it is recommended that the system inspections are undertaken by an independent body, e.g. not the system owner, building occupier, system installer (or competing installer) or service and maintenance provider (or competing service and maintenance provider).

“The qualified person is a designated individual, suitably trained, competent through knowledge and practical experience and with the necessary instruction to enable the test and examinations to be carried out.”

In this article, we focus on sprinkler tank inspections only.

Experts say very few property owners and managers with a sprinkler tank, an essential part of many systems, have people with the necessary experience or equipment to carry out a thorough check. In particular, they cite the need for ROV equipment to ensure full checks can be carried out without the need for a tank to be drained.

Why ROV inspections?

The Remotely Operated Underwater Vehicle (ROV) is a smart piece of kit. Designed to move around under water, it requires expert control – along with diagnostic equipment to check the condition of a tank’s internal surfaces. Specialists point to their comprehensive benefits, which include the conservation of water. In the grand scheme of sprinkler system inspections, they can help to identify defects before they cause a leak or contamination.

Anyone undertaking such an inspection should know how to attach and operate HD camera and ultrasound equipment. They also need to be able to understand the data they return. In addition, they need to be fully aware of sprinkler tank components and their functions. This includes valves, pumps and the inlet, along with the internal structure of the tank.

A competent third party will offer conclusions and recommendations that can be relied upon. They are based on qualified data – all fully illustrated in written reports. Would you trust the safety of your people and property to someone without extensive knowledge of how a sprinkler tank works?

Anyone inspecting a sprinkler tank will need to be able to recognise:

• The presence of rust
• Weak spots in any section of the tank’s surface
• Signs of corrosion or oxidisation
• Perforations
• Bacteria growth
• Worn seals

In addition, they need to be able to check and recognise potential issues with ancillary equipment. This can include tank lids and access areas.

Sprinkler system tank inspections

A sprinkler system tank inspection should always be carried out with the water in situ. Not just to conserve water and save money but to ensure sprinklers remain fully operational throughout. Draining a tank for an inspection is unnecessary and potentially very dangerous. Using ROV equipment makes this possible. It is site and insurer-friendly and delivers accurate data that can be reliably used for planned maintenance.

It is worth noting that this type of sprinkler system inspection can be carried out on any type of tank, regardless of its location and size. Annual inspections should always be carried out by a specialist, say experts. Many problems are not obvious and require the use of high-tech equipment to properly identify and diagnose – hence the importance of retaining the services of an independent inspection expert.

The change to requirements in respect of one clause in EN 12845 does not mean an unqualified, untrained person can carry out an inspection. It makes clear they need to have the necessary qualifications. Neglecting to ensure a suitable person carries out the checks can have far-reaching and even tragic repercussions. It is worth noting that if negligence is suspected to have contributed to an emergency, criminal proceedings can follow.

Booking a sprinkler tank inspection

You can book a third-party or independent inspection with a nationwide specialist, who will travel anywhere in the country to perform this task. As well as having the necessary knowledge, they will have the essential equipment (outlined above). If your sprinkler tank is leaking, you can find out what to do here.

If you are not sure what your obligations are as a building owner or site manager, you should seek expert advice. Life preserving equipment must always be ready to kick in during an emergency situation. That means, it should be maintained to regulatory standards, so it is fit for purpose.

While not all buildings benefit from the sprinkler system, it is always worth reminding ourselves how common fires are.

Recent fires in public, commercial and industrial buildings:

• A commercial garage in County Donegal has been badly damaged in an overnight fire (reported November 21).
• A hooded gang set a fire at Bransholme playground close to Biggin Hill Primary School – Hull (reported November 20).
• A supermarket, closed for over a year after a fire in the flat above, has been reopened and revamped – Reading (reported November 20).
• Multiple fire crews attended to a blaze at an industrial property in a Somerset village (reported November 16).
• Investigation launched after blaze at an industrial unit which took eight fire crews to put out – London (reported November 13).
• People living or working near Manor Way, Swanscombe were advised to close windows and doors due to smoke coming from a fire in an industrial building – Kent (reported November 16).

The advice from experts is to continue to use fully qualified independent inspectors. Especially for sprinkler system water tanks.

If you have been advised to line or refurbish a fire sprinkler tank, an EPDM lining could be an excellent option. As well as being cost-effective, it will extend the life of your tank. So, as well as saving you money, it will ensure the long-term storage and supply of water to your fire sprinkler system. In this feature, we look at the benefits of EPDM and the lining process.

Maintaining a sprinkler tank is important. Failing to ensure your water storage facility is in good working order could impact your insurance policy and put safety at risk. That is why recommendations made during expert inspections should always be carried through. If you have been given a set of options, you may want to talk to sprinkler tank specialists to get a better understanding of what each involves and the likely costs. A good expert will offer free technical advice and supply a written quotation.

What is an EPDM lining?

An EPDM lining is made from three main materials – ethylene, propylene and a diene. The latter is a comonomer which makes the lining extremely robust. It allows the other materials to cross link. This is achieved through sulphur vulcanisation. Unlike its predecessor, ERP, EPDM is does not use harsh chemicals such as peroxide. Known as an M-class rubber, it benefits from elastomers.

While some sprinkler tank lining projects still use butyl rubber, UK experts such as Nationwide Water Solutions prefer EPDM because of its excellent properties. Butyl rubber is synthetic and is manufactured with isobutylene and isoprene. This lining product is now seen as an inferior material to EPDM, which is recognised for its high quality and durability.

When should a sprinkler tank be lined with EPDM?

You should only ever have a sprinkler tank lined with EPDM – or any other material – if the work has been recommended by a qualified expert. While sprinkler tank refurbishment is a great way to extend the life of your water tank, it may not be suitable if the vessel is deemed beyond repair. In some cases, it may be determined that a sprinkler tank needs replacing.

Lining a water tank can be carried out in the course of refurbishment work. This project should only be undertaken by recognised experts. In addition to requiring ventilation equipment, mobile scaffolding will be required. Those carrying out the work should be trained to operate at height and have the necessary first aid training. They should also know how to manage risks.

You can find out if your sprinkler tank is suitable for EPDM lining by booking an independent inspection.

The benefits of lining a water tank

If you have been presented with the option to line a sprinkler tank with EPDM, you can expect to minimise disruption while saving time and money. Of course, this solution is also incredibly long-lasting. You can extend the life of a water tank by at least a decade. One of the biggest benefits of EPDM lining is that it is often guaranteed – something you don’t always get with a new sprinkler tank.

If you are considering replacing your tank, take into account the likely disruption involved. Is it really necessary or even convenient? Those who run busy manufacturing or industrial plants will often opt for lining because the impact on a site is much less severe. You can line steel sectional, GRP, concrete and other types of tank structures with EPDM.

Processes involved in lining a sprinkler tank

If you have decided to go ahead and have your sprinkler tank lined with EPDM, you can expect the work to be carried out to the following schedule:

• Initial work (closure of inlet valve, etc)
• Draining the tank (up to 36 hours, depending on its capacity)
• Debris and sediment removal (once tank is drained)
• Internal connections removed
• Flanges given a clean
• Matting bag put in place
• EPDM lining fitted
• Connections and fittings re-installed
• Tank refilled with water

The total time it will take to undertake all of these processes is generally around four days. However, your contractor will be able to give you a more precise timeline for your project.

Fire safety and water tank security

Water tanks are prone to corrosion and rust. That makes leaks a threat, particularly in older or poorly maintained tanks. Loss of water can impact the cost of a fire sprinkler system and cause water levels to drop inside a sprinkler tank. Ensuring water remains at the correct level at all times is essential to ensure a fire can be effectively tackled and contained.

An EPDM lining is a good way to repair a tank and ensure it is fit for purpose. It will prevent leaks and save money otherwise wasted through lost water. This economical solution is popular because it offers a robust yet cheaper solution than many alternative options. Not only that, this lining solution can be used on a wide range of tanks, including those underground. Linings are usually made to measure and manufactured prior to the installation process outlined above.

If you have any questions about EPDM or sprinkler tank repair, talk to a qualified contractor. The key points to remember include: only instruct a qualified installer, ensure you are offered a guarantee and be clear about the options most suitable for your tank.

Water tanks play a pivotal role in fire safety. Taking care of them and ensuring they are up to the job should be a priority. As well as giving you peace of mind, lining a tank will save you money in the long run and guarantee you have the water available needed to save lives and property in the event of the unthinkable happening. If fire safety is at the top of your priority list, don’t overlook the importance of taking care of your fire sprinkler tank. Its function is crucial to the performance of your sprinklers.

You can find further resources about sprinkler tanks, including advice about installation and refurbishment, on this website.

The Christmas period has been marred by tragedy, making this feature about fire sprinkler water storage for landlords timely. A fire claimed a life on Christmas Day and yesterday (Boxing Day) a second fatality was reported in a separate incident. Below, you will discover some of the penalties handed down to landlords who fail to take safety seriously. To highlight the point that fires can happen anywhere, at anytime, here is some information about recent incidents.

Emergency services reported a man had died in the Normanton area of Derby on Boxing Day. Fire crews had been called to a property at 14.10pm. While the cause of the blaze is not yet known, police are appealing for dashcam and CCTV footage of the area. They are interested in seeing images taken between 11am and 1.45pm. Meanwhile, a non-fatal fire, was started on Christmas Day by a 45-year-old tortoise. Essex firefighters say the pet knocked a heat lamp over, sparking the blaze. The creature was rescued.

Today (December 26) a blaze broke out on the 22^nd floor of an apartment block in Glasgow. The early morning emergency was reported at around 5am and saw three people treated at the scene and two taken to hospital. In total, five appliances tackled the blaze – the second to be reported in Glasgow this morning.

Also in Scotland, a fire at a ski resort forced the attraction to close on Boxing Day. The Times reported that a blaze the day before badly damaged the resort’s base station and cut off power supplies to accommodation.

Fire safety for rented or leased accommodation

Whether you are a buy to let landlord or a commercial property owner, fire safety should be your number one priority. Apart from protecting your assets, a good fire safety system will reduce damage in the event of a fire and save lives. If you invest wisely, you can reduce insurance premiums too. That is why fire sprinkler water storage makes sense, especially for large or complex buildings.

A sprinkler system that benefits from on-site emergency water offers a high level of protection. It negates the need to rely on mains water. If you are looking for an effective way to contain a blaze and stop it from spreading, this is a great investment. Industrial, multi storey and vulnerable buildings can all benefit.

If you are investing in a sprinkler system for the first time, it pays to talk to a sprinkler tank expert about the wide range of economical options. Fire tanks come in a multitude of shapes and sizes and can even be custom-made to fit specific sites. What’s more, they can be fabricated from a variety of different materials – giving you control over your budget.

The best installers are those who provide a free site survey and technical advice, as well as ongoing maintenance and inspection services.

Fire sprinkler water storage

The causes of fire can be unpredictable – like the tortoise knocking over its heat lamp. That is why you should always be prepared for one and have the necessary equipment in place to minimise the impact. Manufacturing, storage and industrial buildings, along with tower blocks and historic structures, are deemed among those most at risk. However, municipalities should also make the right fire safety choices to protect the public purse.

Skimping on basic safety essentials can prove costly. It can also cause untold misery – not just for your tenants or leaseholders but also you. Landlords can face stiff financial penalties for failing to ensure their buildings are safe. One landlord was fined a total of £20,000 after he failed to ensure fire alarms were tested. A blaze broke out in the block of flats, leaving two people trapped.

The fire happened just weeks after the landlord was informed a smoke alarm was not working. The incident occurred in a converted Victorian building, spread over three floors. Luckily, firefighters were able to reach those who were trapped, and no major injuries were reported. However, the courts took a dim view of the landlord’s oversight. He was charged with two matters of failing to comply with fire safety requirements.

In addition to the heavy fine, the landlord was also ordered to pay costs in excess of £1,740.

Make fire safety easy

By getting the right advice, you can protect your building and its occupants around the clock. A fire sprinkler water storage tank is the best way to ensure you always have water available to tackle a fire immediately. Your tenants won’t have to wait for the fire brigade to arrive, sprinklers will deliver water automatically to the seat of the fire. As well as being extremely effective, this type of water storage saves vital time.

In fact, an historic building in Hampshire owes its continued existence to a sprinkler system. The Solent Flour Mills in Southampton was heavily smoke logged but avoided major damage. The fire broke out on the second floor of the building. At the time, the company based in the building said a more serious fire would have been catastrophic. A spokesperson said the sprinkler system didn’t just save the building and lives – it saved the business and jobs.

Meanwhile, a care home in Brighton was also saved by sprinklers. An electrical fault caused a fire in an unoccupied resident’s room. However, the alarm was raised in just two minutes. By the time fire crews arrived on the scene, the fire was out. The home’s sprinklers had actually started to work within seconds – something the local fire and rescue service was quick to highlight. A spokesman said the incident demonstrated how sprinklers can reduce fire, heat and smoke damage. He further pointed out that such systems are now more accessible and cost effective, making them suitable for many different types of buildings.

Fire suppression equipment with its own supply of water has been credited with saving a multitude of premises – and lives – from an Asda in Rotherham to a paper mill in Leicester. A school in Gateshead was also saved, along with countless homes. If you want to find out more about the benefits of installation a sprinkler tank, talk to an expert. It costs nothing to get advice and, for a reasonable outlay, you can protect your building and business for many years.

Effective fire suppression saves lives and preserves property. It slows down the spread of fire in order to contain it. This has obvious benefits for evacuation plans and the preservation of material assets. Commonly used in commercial buildings, sprinklers are now a recommended safety system for tower blocks, industrial premises, care homes and municipal facilities.

Fire and rescue services in the UK are advocating the use of sprinklers, saying they save lives. The systems are also a recognised benefit for businesses – with many impacted by fire never fully recovering. This morning, it has been reported that a family business in Scotland has been devastated by a fire caused by an electrical fault. Up to £20,000 worth of stock has been reportedly damaged. A significant proportion of the premises sustained smoke damage.

In this case, there was no obligation on the business owner to have sprinklers installed. However, some types of businesses are required to follow strict health and safety guidelines to reduce the risks. The Yorkshire Post has reported today that a chemical company has been fined £14,000 following a blaze. In 2016, a warehouse owned by the business was destroyed. The blaze broke out after an employee accidentally dropped a can of highly flammable liquid.

It is widely accepted that modern fire-fighting equipment limits damage. In turn, it minimises disruption to business premises and protects jobs. So, if you are looking for a fire suppression system that works automatically, sprinklers are the best option. Traditional equipment has included simple fire extinguishers.

Maintaining a constant water supply

While a sprinkler system can run off mains water, this is not recommended for large properties or those constructed on multiple levels. In addition to issues with water pressure, there is a need to ensure enough water is instantly available to douse the seat of a blaze for robust fire suppression. Because of this, a sprinkler tank is recommended.

Also known as a fire tank, the storage container ensures water is always available – in the right quantity – around the clock. It means a building is protected day and night and even when it is not occupied. This type of water tank is only installed by specialists. Cost-effective, a sprinkler tank can last for many, many years if properly maintained.

During the tank’s lifetime, it will require regular inspections. Independent checks are recommended. An expert will carry out a thorough examination of the tank’s walls and components using underwater survey equipment. This is often referred to as an ROV inspection.

As the tank ages, it may require remedial works. This can include refurbishment or lining. A professional inspection will set out the recommended options.

Fire suppression, tower blocks and causes of fires

Following the Grenfell Tower tragedy, pressure was put on social housing providers to retro-fit sprinkler systems. While many have benefitted from the safety equipment, others are still waiting. The stumbling block has proved to be the initial outlay. A council in London recently lost a bid to force leaseholders in its tower blocks to pay for the work. It has wanted payment from those in building of 10 storeys or more. It has been reported that, had a court ruling been in favour of the council, the work would have been carried out and leaseholders made to pay through service charges.

Elsewhere, a fire and rescue authority recently gave £200,000 towards one tower block project from its Safer Stronger Communities Reserve Fund. With fire authorities championing the use of sprinklers, the message is clear: they save lives and protect property. Experts say they often extinguish a fire completely. In many cases, a blaze is already out or under control by the time the emergency services arrive on the scene.

Usually, it is the responsibility of the property owner or landlord to ensure fire suppression systems are fit for purpose.

You can never tell how a fire will start. Earlier this week, two people handed themselves into police after sky lanterns fell into a German zoo and killed dozens of animals. The lanterns in question were illegal and are said to have burned animals alive. Meanwhile, a former Holiday Inn at Walsall has been demolished after being devastated by a fire that started in a sauna last summer. West Midlands Fire Service has confirmed no sprinklers were installed. A review is to examine how the fire was able to engulf the entire hotel.

Protecting your building from fire

If you are concerned about safety and want to invest in the best fire suppression system, choose sprinklers. As well as offering a long-term solution, they can be fitted in any type of building. Compared to the cost of fire damage, they are economical. Option for a system with its own water supply. You can find out more about the benefits of sprinkler tanks from a specialist. He or she will talk you through the basics and a good contractor will offer to carry out a free site survey.

Having a sound fire safety system in place significantly reduces the risk of death. It will also minimise the chances of injuries and keep damage to a minimum. Modern fire suppression systems are all about containing fire.

If you want to find out more about sprinkler systems and fire tanks, contact an expert today. Don’t wait for disaster to strike. You may not have a property left to protect.

As dozens of fires burn out of control across Australia, the sheer devastation that can be caused is being realised by property owners around the world. The unpredictability of fire, coupled with the difficulty in tacking serious fires, seems to have struck a chord. In places like the UK, where wild fires on this scale just don’t happen, people have been quick to recognise the very real danger that fire poses.

Whether you run a business, are a landlord or simply want to better protect your assets, invest in a sprinkler system and fire tank. You will put your mind at rest, may benefit from reduced insurance premiums and give people confidence in the safety of your building.

Installing and maintaining a sprinkler tank has far more benefits than simply reducing fire risks in commercial and municipal buildings. Leading insurers can offer premium reductions of up to 50 per cent to those with effective sprinklers. The average premium is reduced by between 10 to 15 per cent. In recent years, these savings have been a key driver in the growth in sprinkler system installation.

In the UK, where most buildings are still not required by law to have sprinklers, the onus has been put on building owners to make the right call. While some systems, particularly in multi-storey social housing, have been retrofitted, many have been included in architectural plans for new buildings. Experts say including sprinklers and separate water storage saves more money and also offers up additional flexibility with building design.

Insurers have been quick to point out that misconceptions about how sprinkler systems work have, in the past, been a stumbling block. Together with fire and rescue services, they have championed the fact that sprinkler heads work individually – not all at once. This fact drives home the message that sprinkler systems reduce not just fire but water damage too.

Who can benefit from insurance premium reductions?

While any building that benefits from modern fire safety equipment can expect to lower premiums, those with high-quality sprinkler systems with a sprinkler tank stand to gain the most. However, such systems will need to meet criteria set out by insurance companies and, to remain valid, must be properly maintained. This has implications for those in a wide range of sectors. Installing a system is not the end of the matter. Protocols should be put in place to manage the maintenance of systems.

Specialist insurers are currently targeting new build schools, among others. They are advocating the inclusion of sprinklers at the earliest stage of planning. As well as pointing out the obvious safety benefits, they are explaining how sprinklers minimise disruption and significantly reduce material losses. In the case of an education establishment, this can mean the retention of equipment and coursework.

Whatever the use of a building, its fire safety features must be properly represented in insurance details. To benefit from maximum premium reductions, the insured should:

• Demonstrate it has installed a quality sprinkler system. A survey report may be required for this
• Clearly show how the system is being maintained and by whom

How a sprinkler tank manages spiralling insurance costs

Insuring a commercial building can cost a small fortune these days – particularly if it is vulnerable because of a lack of safety features. So, in the long run, sprinklers with their own water supply in the form of a sprinkler tank storage unit will pay for themselves. The stumbling block is often the initial outlay – and convincing building owners to invest in robust maintenance and repair solutions.

Many don’t realise that a single investment in a dedicated water supply can last for decades. Even after corrosion has set in or weaknesses start to emerge in the structure, remedial work can often be carried out. Not only is sprinkler tank refurbishment cost-effective, it significantly extends the life of a tank.

A sprinkler tank will ensure that water is always in system pipes. Insurers like this. It means wet systems never run the risk of being dry when an emergency occurs. The tank also tackles the issue of water pressure to ensure sprinklers can be effectively operated at any level in a building. While some sprinkler systems run off mains, they require additional equipment to guarantee they can properly serve an entire building.

You should consider installing a high-quality sprinkler system to reduce costs if:

• Your building is vulnerable to fire
• Your property is in public ownership
• You cannot afford any disruption
• A building stores high value equipment or goods
• You want to provide trusted life-saving equipment that will support robust evacuation plans

It is worth noting that the most common small fires are often extinguished by a single sprinkler head. So, in terms of containment, a decent sprinkler system and water storage tank should make good sense to a building manager. If a fire is contained almost immediately, a building will only be out of use for a very short period of time – while the necessary safety checks are made.

Finding out more information

If you want to benefit from reduced insurance premiums, shop around for the best sprinkler tank installation and maintenance quotes. It should be remembered that worn components and lack of maintenance are among the leading causes of sprinkler system failures. Look for specialists who will first offer a free site survey. Ask how often they recommend independent inspections and check that they use technology designed to be used under water.

Keeping a lid on insurance costs and reducing the risks of fire damage should be part of your business strategy. Failing to take advantage of sprinklers will only add to your annual outlay and increase the chances of significant damage and / or injury in the event of a fire.

If you already have a sprinkler tank and have not had it inspected by an independent expert for some time, don’t wait. And never let an unqualified or incompetent person tamper with or attempt to carry out repairs. A recognised proportion of system failures are caused by manual intervention.

A specialist will accurately calculate the capacity of the tank required, taking into account the specifics of your site.

A one-off outlay today could save you money for many years. Not only that, investment in a modern sprinkler system with its own water storage capability will significantly enhance your fire safety. Prevention is always better than the cure, as they say – and there has never been a better time to improve your building’s safety features.

Tired of paying too much for building insurance? Know that your fire protection equipment could do with updating? What are you waiting for?
For further information about the benefits of sprinkler tanks, contact us or browse the many informative features on our accessible website.

A fire tank system is one of the safest ways to store water to suppress a fire. However, it does require regular checks and maintenance to ensure it is fit for purpose. A damaged or leaking water tank can impact the reliability of a sprinkler system, which is why it is imperative to ensure tanks are inspected on a proper basis. The implications of failing to adequately maintain life-saving fire equipment can be extremely serious.

The safety of sprinkler tanks is covered by legislation and something you should be aware of. Regulations ensure fire tanks almost never fail. To ensure stringent compliance with all legal requirements, you should undertake both in-house and expert inspections at regular intervals. As we have previously outlined before on our blog, there are differing opinions on how often you engage the services of an independent specialist. For the record, we recommend one is undertaken every 12 months – or before, if a problem is suspected.

A check by someone trained to inspect a fire tank system will identify any issues. A written report should outline measures that need to be taken. Inspections are a cost-effective way to safeguard your life-safety water supply. For example, an undetected leak can prove costly and waste a precious resource. It can also significantly lower water levels in a tank, highlighting the need for regular checks. Modern tank inspections do not require a vessel to be emptied – making them very straightforward and insurer-friendly.

Fire sprinkler tank maintenance

When the word ‘maintenance’ crops up in the same sentence as a fire tank system, don’t assume it means a quick whip around with a paint brush. Quite often, fire sprinkler tank maintenance involves relining or refurbishment. Why? Because many materials traditionally used in the manufacture of fire tanks, whilst extremely robust, can eventually corrode. It is excessive corrosion of tank walls that most often leads to leaks. The bigger the tank, the bigger the risk of major flooding and water damage.

Other problems associated with corrosion can include poor water quality that falls below legal standards. Even water stored solely for the purpose of fighting a fire can carry Legionella, the bacteria that can cause a type of pneumonia. Harmful pathogens are known to breed in areas behind outdated rubber tank linings and that is why risk assessments for Legionella are important too. Tanks which were installed without a coating or lining are most at risk from corrosion and should be checked regularly.

We provide a range of services to remedy problems in their early stages. However, they can only be carried before a tank is deemed beyond serviceable. If an inspection report states a tank should be decommissioned, we can only replace it. With conventional GRP fire tanks holding tens of thousands of litres of water, you can understand the need for planned maintenance as well as vigilance.

Sometimes, a sprinkler system will be activated on purpose to check that it doesn’t just work but has the capacity to store enough water. Such examples includes tests carried out in underground tunnels and major new developments. In these cases, great care is taken to avoid serious damage. In this information, the Water Regulations Advisory Scheme, WRAS, explains how water supply regulations impact LPCB fire tank systems.

Relining or replacement?

As stated above, we cannot repair a fire tank system if an expert has deemed it beyond refurbishment. However, if a written report recommends remedial action we can repair and / or re-line a sprinkler tank. The methods we use are outlined on our website and give a clear overview of how the different processes are carried out. The good news is, once the work is completed your tank will last for many more years. A robust, cost-effective remedy will offer peace of mind and keep corrosion in check.

We don’t use butyl rubber in our linings. Instead, we reline tanks with EPDM. It is better quality and offers more protection from problems commonly found with traditional sprinkler tank linings. All refurbishment work and relining will require a sprinkler tank to be drained – a process that your insurance company is likely to want to know about and something that should only ever be undertaken by professionals.

This type of work demands recognised skills and safety equipment. Potential dangers for those not trained include falls from height and many other risks. Look out for recognised trade accreditations to ensure you engage a firm with the necessary expertise. Look for links to the British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association, CHAS, Constructionline and Safety Schemes In Procurement. It is worth remembering that bosses who instruct untrained staff to work at height face significant fines if a worker subsequently falls. Planning, Building and Construction Today reported earlier this month how a building company was fined £20,000 after a self-employed man fell through a skylight.

Experts in fire tank system maintenance

Here at Nationwide Water Solutions, we provide a range of recognised services to ensure your fire tank system is in good repair – today and tomorrow. As well as carrying out recommended works, we undertake inspections using the latest technology. Our ultrasound equipment can measure the thickness of sprinkler tank walls and detect weaknesses that mere images would not show. In addition to carrying out all checks underwater, we supply photographic evidence with comprehensive written reports.

The publication of the report following the first phase of the Grenfell Inquiry is likely to lead to legislative changes, which could include making high-rise building owners furnish fire and rescue services with details about a property’s layout. Once we have read through the full recommendations outlined in the report, we will update you. Whatever the final outcome of the inquiry, one things is for sure – sprinklers and fire tank systems will become much more commonplace.

We will continue to work with our partners in industry and the public realm to ensure that the services we deliver meet and exceed standards to ensure sprinkler systems are well-maintained and carry on saving lives as well as material assets. Building safety regulations are likely to impact fire safety more than ever. You can trust us to deliver the very highest standards – from installing a new fire tank to maintaining an existing one.

More than 11,000 fires were recorded in non-dwelling properties in England in 2018/19, posing the question: how do commercial fires most often start? It is worth noting that better fire safety awareness and improved equipment has significantly reduced non-dwelling fires – from more than 26,000 in 2001/02. However, the cost of a commercial fire can be very high – often running into tens of thousands of pounds or even more.

Protecting business premises from the effects of a fire is important – not just in terms of life preservation but to ensure a company can survive the aftermath of a blaze. Making sure your property has robust insurance and modern fire-fighting equipment is essential. The number of businesses, especially SMEs, that fail following a fire is alarming. To help you understand the most common risks, we have prepared some simple facts. They highlight the dangers most likely to start a fire.

By taking on board the known causes and carrying out regular risk assessments, you can plan for the worst – and reduce the impact. Fire injures and kills and is a leading cause of the loss of valuable data as well as equipment and goods. It is also worth bearing in mind that while there are many accidental causes, fires can also be started with intent. We hope you find this information useful.

Commercial fires – causes

In the UK incidents of commercial fires fall into a number of categories. The most common causes include:

1 – Kitchen fires

This type of fire is considered the most common of all commercial fires. While many people associate such fires with dwellings, commercial premises are no exception. Think of restaurants, take-aways, hotels, food processing businesses and works canteens. In the UK, chip fryers, dirty surfaces near cooking equipment and faulty appliances are mostly to blame. To minimise risks, ensure staff are aware of best practices, keep kitchen areas clean and be vigilant when it comes to using fryers. Food should never be left unattended and loose clothing, along with long-sleeved tops, should be avoided in this environment. You can further reduce risks by correctly storing chemicals away from heat and ensuring surfaces are fire resistant.

2 – Electrical fires

Outdated equipment, overloaded sockets and faulty appliances are among the leading causes of electrical fires. Never plug more than one appliance into a socket and ensure any new equipment is PAT tested before it is plugged in and used. Ensure staff know they cannot plug in appliances they have brought to work from home. If you are having work carried out in your premises, ensure contractors follow safety guidelines and that they do not breach any regulatory codes.

3 – Heating and / or boiler fires

Poor maintenance can cause fires in both heating appliances and boilers. Be especially vigilant with heating equipment in storage areas and make sure your boiler is regularly serviced.

4 – Deliberate fires

Buildings left unattended, particularly at night or weekends, are at a higher risk of arson. Commercial premises are no exception. It pays to protect a building that is not in 24-hour use with automatic sprinklers to ensure action is taken before a fire has had the chance to take hold. This way, a blaze can be contained while the emergency services are on their way. Arson attacks have the potential to cause serious damage. Consider how your business would continue to operate after such an incident.

5 – Discarded cigarettes

In the past, smoking was a leading cause of fire in commercial premises. However, with the smoking ban now well established, many businesses have taken the savvy approach of ensuring any outside smoking areas are located well away from a building. In certain types of buildings, however, smoking may still pose a risk. In hotels, guests may try to have a crafty smoke. Be aware of this potential danger and take steps to mitigates the effects.

How many businesses fail after a fire?

It is estimated that up to 80 per cent of businesses that suffer from serious commercial fires fail within 18 months. Others take literally years to fully recover. An overview of what is at stake is given is this feature by Elite Business Magazine.

Nationwide Water Solutions encourage commercial enterprises to take a pragmatic and robust approach to fire prevention, detection and containment. As well as serving the commercial sector, we work with those in industry. Our aim is to ensure automatic sprinkler systems have access to dedicated water supplies to start tackling a fire straight away. One of the biggest reasons (though not the only one) why fires devastate buildings is because they can take too long to detect. Fires cannot always be predicted, and they most certainly can’t always be prevented. However, there is a lot you can do to reduce the risks.

Automatic fire sprinklers are now commonplace in commercial and industrial buildings. That is because the are effective in tackling the commercial fire from the outset. We recommend you learn more about the benefits of sprinklers and take action to safeguard your building, people and future success.

Commercial fire sprinkler tank

We are nationwide installers of fire sprinkler tanks fore commercial buildings. We help businesses look after their assets with solutions tailored to the needs of their specific site. Based in Yorkshire, we service commercial clients across the UK. As well as installing fire sprinkler tanks, we also maintain them.

Our sprinkler tank repair and refurbishment services include relining. We also operate an independent inspection service and recommended businesses with sprinkler tanks have their system checked annually. If the impact of a fire is of concern, don’t wait to get expert advice. We provide free site surveys for those interested in having a dedicated water supply for sprinkler systems.

With fully qualified experts, we are nationally recognised specialists and provide solutions for a wide range of building types. If you are not sure of your requirements or are concerned that existing facilities have not been independently inspected for a while, get in touch. Our experts provide free technical advice.

For further information about sprinkler tank re-lining or our inspection service, visit our website.

We are living in times when water conservation is a big deal, so asking the question ‘How much water does a fire sprinkler use’ is a pertinent question. For those who want to ensure they make the best use of this precious resource, we have got some great news. Fire sprinklers use water economically. Modern automatic sprinklers do not all go off at once. That is why experts are quick to rubbish fears about unnecessary water damage.

In fact, the fire sprinkler uses far less water than conventional means of fighting a fire. For example, a single sprinkler head will use a maximum of 20 gallons per minute. If that sounds a lot, compare it to the amount of water discharged by a traditional fire extinguisher. Those big metal things that clutter walls would collectively have to use almost 3,000 gallons – against a total of under 350 gallons for a typical sprinkler system.

Anyone concerned about water conservation or, indeed, the cost of water, would do well to calculate the savings afforded by automatic sprinklers. The great thing about modern fire-fighting equipment, other than it being automatic, is that it can rely on its own water supply. We are in the business of installing, maintaining and repairing sprinkler tanks – so we know a thing or two about water and its conservation.

Can a sprinkler tank really be good for conservation?

We can answer this question with just one word. Yes. While a fire sprinkler tank will require inspecting on a regular basis, this routine process need not cause the loss of a single drop of water. Why? Because companies like ourselves used advanced equipment that checks the integrity of the tank underwater.

As well as being great for water conservation, this high-tech approach saves money and also ensures sprinkler systems remain fully operational throughout. It negates the need for the tank owner to notify their insurer of an interruption to their fire safety measures. The only instances when a sprinkler tank will have to be drained is during a relining or refurbishment project. Thankfully, modern tanks are highly robust and designed to last for many years before this type of work may be deemed necessary.

The important point to get across is that when a sprinkler system is activated, only the sprinkler head / s nearest the heat source will go off – not all of them. For years, people have resisted sprinkler systems because they fear water damage and false alarms. The truth is, sprinklers do not cause water damage for the sake of it.

Other reasons why a fire sprinkler saves water

When you consider the design of a fire sprinkler system, it is important to remember that it is manufactured to work as soon as a fire is detected. This can happen within a very short space of time – sometimes in just a minute. Delivering water to the seat of a fire almost immediately has many benefits – including water conservation. A fast response is the most effective way to stop a blaze from spreading. Imagine a fire not being detected very quickly and then a wait for the fire and rescue service to arrive.

Response times to fires vary but can take more than eight minutes – even to very serious fires. Collectively, fire services have worked hard to maintain response times against a backdrop of cuts in the numbers of full-time firefighters. In some areas of the country, stations are earmarked for closure. While fire chiefs may claim cuts won’t impact response times, critics claim they will. However, eight minutes is eight minutes.

Commenting on fire response times for 2017/18,Roy Wilsher, Chair of the National Fire Chiefs Council, said: “Response times are important for public safety and have plateaued since 2014/15, but we can’t ignore the increase we have seen over the past two decades. We need to look in detail at the reasons behind this; including the the type of fires, the risk involved and any impact this may have.”

He added: “It is essential the public have confidence in their fire service and the response times, but just as important as averages is whether the local service is meeting its declared response time.”

A sprinkler system can diminish a fire – meaning less water being required by 999 crews. Some fire sprinkler experts claim automatic systems are so effective they help to cut greenhouses gases. That is not something we will go into now but is a subject we can return to at a later date.

The main message is that sprinkler systems with water storage tanks are environmentally friendly. Spread the word! Another way in which sprinkler tanks can play a role in helping the environment is working with rainwater harvesting systems. This is something we will write about in much greater detail in the near future because this savvy way of collecting and recycling water not only pays for itself over time, it is really efficient. What’s more rainwater harvesting systems are suitable for almost all roof types and can be customised to meet specific site requirements.

The fire sprinkler tank people

We are the people behind innovative, bespoke sprinkler tank solutions for commercial, industrial and municipal buildings across the UK. We carry out every aspect of installing and maintaining tanks and pride ourselves in being the market leading experts. We take water conservation seriously and that is why we are always happy to talk about the benefits of automatic sprinklers over conventional fire-fighting systems.

Our customers come from all corners of the UK. They trust us to look after their water needs because we only supply robust, long-lasting solutions that are designed to perform over many years. In addition to delivering durable water solutions, we provide free technical support – so nobody has to grapple with a water tank problem on their own.

Water may drop out of the sky, but it is a scarce, precious resource that none of us should take for granted. If you want to do your bit for the environment, sprinklers and a fire sprinkler tank is a great start. If your business wants to do more to conserve water and improve fire safety, talk to us about our impressive range of fire tanks and associated services.

We are Nationwide Water Solutions. For further information about what we do, visit our website.

Here at Nationwide Water Solutions, we are proud to have industry accreditations with organisations like CHAS. To us, it sets our work apart from unaccredited competitors. But, what does it me for you? If you are looking for a water storage solution for a fire sprinkler system, it can mean a lot. In this feature, we will explain what CHAS is and why we are proud to be a part of it.

Just so you know, we are not just accredited by this one organisation. We are also certified members of Constructionline, as well as Safety Schemes In Procurement (SSIP) and, in addition, are accredited by the British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association.

CHAS stands for Contractors Health and Safety Assessment Scheme. It is all about ensuring proper health and safety, including assessments. It takes safety management to a new level. This type of certification is considered extremely helpful to those buying products or services from contractors like ourselves. Before we explain why and how it helps our customers, we must point out that to retain our accreditation we have to be assessed on an annual basis. This is to ensure we comply with the terms of certification.

How our accreditations help you

When you instruct us to install, reline, refurbish or inspect a fire sprinkler tank, you can be certain that we will comply with all health and safety regulations. Our risk assessments are carried out in relation to specific sites and always by experts. All identified risks are very carefully managed. While being CHAS certified saves us a lot of time, it is highly beneficial to our customers too. You can forge a working relationship with us knowing from the outset that we will be compliant and certified.

The fact that we are regularly assessed will give you an understanding of our continued commitment health and safety practices as well as assessments. More and more of our customers come from the industrial and municipal sectors where having this type of robust, recognised accreditation is becoming a common requirement. We are continually helped by CHAS to ensure our safety management is fit for purpose and tailored to the needs of the projects we undertake.

One of the biggest advantages of being a CHAS member is that we are encouraged to deliver a consistent approach to improving the way we identify and manage risks. This is a good thing in business, particularly for a concern like ours which can involve working on very large tank structures that store and distribute huge volumes of water. And, at the end of the day, these structures are being relied upon to save lives and property in emergency situations.

Competitors without certification are most often required to demonstrate their safety management skills through written submissions. This can include quite detailed and lengthy questionnaires. We don’t think customers going through the tendering process always have the time to sift through answers, let alone than attempt to verify them. By working with us, they can be assured that we will meet the health and safety requirements of their industry.

What risks are involved working with a fire sprinkler tank?

There are lots of risks involved when it comes to working with a fire sprinkler tank. There are obvious dangers associated with working with water. However, one of the biggest day-to-day risks we manage is working at height. Falls are the biggest cause of workplace injuries and that is why all our team members are fully trained to work at height, with the right safety equipment. They are also trained in first aid.

Ensuring all our staff have received the correct training to undertake their jobs both safely and professionally is extremely important. So often, you read stories about contractors whose standards do not meet national guidelines. Working with non-accredited firms puts your business at risk. For example, how do you know that they will safely manage your project – and if they don’t, are they insured? There are insurance implications for you, too.

What if non-compliant work causes a problem that impacts your business or others? It could invalidate your own insurance and / or leads to claims. Our focus is on the integrity of your sprinkler tank and the safe delivery of the work we undertake on it.

CHAS member and proud of it

Nationwide Water Solutions is a leading name in the supply and maintenance of water storage tanks for automatic fire-fighting systems. We deliver carefully managed projects to businesses and public bodies across the UK. This includes warehouses, distribution centres, manufacturing plants, and buildings owned or maintained by the public realm. As well as delivering bespoke solutions, we are also innovative. That is why none of our customers ever have to drain a tank for us to inspect it.

We have invested in new technology that makes it possible to assess the condition of a fire sprinkler tank under water. This has many benefits. Apart from saving water and being more convenient, it ensures no down time for automatic sprinkler systems. Insurers prefer this approach because there is no interruption.

Over the past year, we have been incredibly honoured to carry out work for a wide range of organisations. You can gain an insight on our website. We have recently put together some case studies – so prospective customers can see what we do, how and who for. If you are considering the merits of installing automatic sprinklers or have been advised that your existing fire sprinkler tank needs remedial work to extend its life, talk to us. In addition to delivering industry-leading services, we also offer free technical advice. For those looking to install a sprinkler tank, we offer a free site survey.

We hope that you find our accreditations and this article useful. We are proud to be CHAS members and hope this gives you a good understanding of our ongoing commitment to safety management at every stage of a project’s progress. Learn more on our website or contact us online or by telephone.

The water tank plays a vital role in modern society. It stores clean water for drinking, for use in industry, agriculture and, increasingly, to supply fire sprinkler systems in emergencies. But the history of storing water for later use stretches back to ancient civilisations. Fascinating stories have emerged over the centuries, often detailing the ingenious ways the ancients used natural resources to create huge structures.

While regulations now determine how and in what water should be stored, some of the solutions crafted as far back as 3000BC existed for many hundreds of years. Some manmade tanks constructed in the 1800s exist to this day. While clearly unsuitable for potable water, they have been preserved for posterity. Back in the Bronze Age, in Asia, the Indus Valley Civilisation was doing a lot of what the Romans would go onto perfect and become famous for. The water tank was just one of the many achievements of this society. It carefully constructed urban areas to include efficient drainage as well as water supply networks. People lived in crudely constructed brick houses, often in quite densely populated settlements. The water tank became pivotal because of lack of supply.

While early tanks were constructed from stone or wood, some made good use of watertight structures found in nature. Unfortunately for Indus Valley occupants, water storage could not save them from a lack of this precious resource. They were eventually forced to new lands in search of water and less arid soil.

A lifesaver in the medieval fortress

Medieval castles were fortresses built to be defended. They needed water in good supply, not just for defensive moats but to sustain inhabitants during long sieges. While water was often obtained from wells, it was circulated around the castle from a water tank through pipes. Often the tanks were constructed of wood. They would supply water not just for human consumption but for bathing too.

The Romans invented the castle – as forts. The earliest castle in England dates back to just past 1066, which should give you a clue as to who by. Yes, William The Conqueror had it constructed as a defence mechanism. The White Tower, part of the Tower of London, was completed in 1097 having taken almost two decades to build.
The cost of constructing and maintaining castles, along with the drawbacks of living in one once gun powder was discovered, led their decline.

The water tank and agriculture

Farmers rely on the water tank to supply livestock feeders and perform important functions. Water is needed for drinking troughs, spraying and irrigation. Relying on wells, troughs and time-consuming distribution methods are, thankfully, a thing of the past. Today, British farmers benefit from a wide range of storage options, many designed for specific applications – even to feed troughs.

Water storage is especially important in agriculture when low rainfall or droughts can serious impact crops. Globally, farmers are doing their bit to reduce water use. This has seen them become among the first to use modern rainwater harvesting systems and other innovative means to collect and store water. Water storage facilities used in farming are manufactured from a range of materials, including galvanised steel, MDPE and more. Without these solutions, agriculture would be even harder than it already is. Modern water storage solutions have given farmers the ability to deliver water anywhere – no matter what the location or terrain.

Healthcare and water supplies

In the NHS water supply systems need to meet strict criteria. That means the design and installation of all components, including a water tank, must meet guides. They need to pass commissioning and testing metrics before being used. Water is stored in hospitals, for example, to offer protection from back-flow in addition to guaranteeing reserves in the event of disruption to supplies of cold water. Tanks are also used to reduce pressure on the system as well as to lower maximum demands on mains supplies.

Increasingly, sprinkler tanks are also installed in hospitals. For both solutions, hospitals are encouraged to maintain tank valves as well as the tank themselves. Further information about water facilities used in healthcare can be found here.

The water tank for fire sprinkler systems

Now onto our forte – the water tank for fire sprinkler systems. These can be constructed from a variety of materials. The concrete tank is still used in many buildings. However, it can be more prone to leaks. That is why most tanks installed today are constructed from either glass coated steel, galvanised steel or, alternatively, epoxy coated steel.

The role of the tank, often referred to as a sprinkler tank, is to reserve water to fight a fire. The amount needed to be stored is dictated by the size, location and use of the site. This type of tank is essential if a sprinkler system is to effectively contain a fire from the earliest opportunity. Having enough water on standby to douse the seat of a blaze can stop it from impacting a larger area of a building – and save lives.

Locations most commonly found with a sprinkler tank include industrial warehouses, manufacturing plants, distribution centres and municipal buildings. In recently years, tanks have been installed to serve retrofitted sprinklers in tower blocks and in new school buildings, along with other types of buildings. Future Building Regulations could dictate which buildings must have sprinklers. However, the basis of any changes is unlikely to be known until the report into the second phase of the Grenfell Inquiry is published. You can read the recommendations to come out of the first phase of the inquiry here.

Whether you lived in ancient times, in a medieval castle or exist today, the humble water tank has played a pivotal role in sustaining life. As well as delivering drinking water, it has helped to preserve countless lives and protected material assets from the ravages of fire.

It may date back to almost the beginning of time, but the water tank continues to serve a pivotal role in all our lives. While few give water storage a second thought, it is the unseen essential that performs the most vital of functions.

A newly installed sprinkler water tank will last for many years – often well over a decade. However, over time, it will show signs of wear and will eventually require refurbishment or replacing. Knowing when your tank needs remedial work is important, which is why experts recommend regular inspections – preferably by a fully trained independent expert.

Relining a sprinkler tank is in many cases the recommended alternative to going through the upheaval of replacing an existing one. So, yes, it can extend a tank’s lifespan. In fact, the best professional installers will give you an indication – or better, a guarantee – of just how much longer your tank will last after being relined.

While the motivations for relining a tank can be varied, the most common ones are outlined below.

Saves time

If you can’t afford the water supply to your sprinkler system being lost for longer than a couple of days, relining is best way forward. We have to point out, not all tanks will be suitable for this type of repair. You should only agree to a tank relining procedure if your existing sprinkler water tank has been properly assessed by an independent expert and found to be suitable. If it is not, you will have to go through the decommissioning process and have the old tank uninstalled and removed before a new once can be fitted and commissioned.

A lot will depend on the internal condition of the tank. If it can be relined, the time it takes to carry out this process will vary according to its size, design and siting. During the process, your sprinkler system will be impacted. Draining a tank can take more than 24 hours and refilling it the same amount of time, depending on its capacity. However, relining a sprinkler tank is still quicker than having to install a new one.

The process involved in constructing a new tank can require bespoke fabrication and other factors that all add to the time it takes to install. This can have safety as well as insurance implications.

Relining a sprinkler water tank saves money

Money is often a big factor when it comes to making a choice. The sprinkler water tank is no exception. Many businesses and municipalities now use tanks made from glass reinforced plastic, commonly referred to as GRP. In this case, relining is much more cost effective than investing in a brand-new tank. Even relatively old tanks can be relined, if their condition has not deteriorated to the point of no return.

There are obvious cost disadvantages of having to empty and remove an old tank. That is why more and more businesses are looking to extend the life of existing facilities.

Relining a sprinkler water tank saves hassle

Time costs money, as they say. In the case of the sprinkler water tank time can cost lives. So, in addition to avoiding the upheaval on a site, relining can reduce the hassle. It is worth noting that tanks designed when a site is first developed can be located in hard-to-access areas, adding to the time it takes to remove it. Often a tank will need to be dismantled and cut up to ensure it can easily and safely be removed. The guarantees given for relining make it a savvy choice, not just for saving time but for budgeting in the future. If you have a newly lined tank with a good guarantee, you can plan ahead and budget money for a new one when the guarantee runs out.

Other factors

It is better for the environment to reline a tank than remove it. Apart from saving non-recyclable components from landfill, it will help you to use what you have already got for much longer. People often assumed that corrosion or a small leak means a sprinkler water tank has reached the end of its life. This simply isn’t always the case.

Even splits below the water line can be remedied with relining – if they are deemed repairable. Sometimes, simply refurbishing a tank will extend its life. Strengthening weak points in the structure and applying fibreglass matting, as well as a multi-coat epoxy system can achieve the same desired results.

The shutdown period during works should be clearly specified in advance, so risk assessments can be carried out to cover a site while a sprinkler water tank is out of service. Some tanks can be relined or refurbished in just a few days while other can take up to a week.

Making the right choice for your sprinkler water tank

Sometimes, even badly leaking sprinkler tanks can be repaired. It all depends on the overall condition of the tank’s internal walls, along with a number of other factors. If you are not sure if your tank is suitable for relining, book an independent inspection. It will give you an accurate indication of the level of corrosion or deterioration.

Modern inspection techniques do not require a tank to be emptied, so there will be no disruption to the supply of water to your sprinkler system. Getting an expert’s opinion will help you make the right choice. An inspection report should clearly set out recommendations. If relining is an option, it will be noted in the report.

If you decide to book an inspection, make sure you use a specialist that will supply you with video or photographic evidence of his or her findings. You can refer to these images when going through the report to be totally certain of what you need to do to ensure your sprinkler system benefits from a fully compliant, reliable water source.

Sprinklers are important. Without them, lives and property are at a higher risk from fire. Ensuring a wet sprinkler system has the best possible chance of containing a blaze starts with a good supply of water. If you are not sure about the condition of your tank or need more advice after an inspection, always talk to an expert.

Relining a sprinkler water tank is cost-effective, safe and saves time. Importantly, it will extend the lifespan of your tank allowing it to deliver many more years of service.

A leaking sprinkler tank can be a huge worry. Taking swift action, however, will prevent the leak from getting worse and protect the short and long-term integrity of the water supply to your sprinklers. The important thing is to try and stay calm. Worrying about downtime, loss of water or the potential for a disaster won’t help.

At the first sign of a leak, you should ensure any equipment stored near a tank is removed and call in an expert. Good sprinkler tank specialists operate on a nationwide basis and will attend an emergency at the drop of a hat. In addition to thoroughly assessing the tank, an expert will be able to tell you the cause of the leak – and the best way to deal with it.

The leaking sprinkler tank scenario is much more common in tanks over a decade old. That is why it pays to keep on top of maintenance as a tank ages. The process of inspecting a tank is virtually the same, regardless of a leak. It will involve assessing the thickness of a tank’s walls, the extent of any corrosion and a range of other factors that can impact its condition.

What to do when you detect a leak

Make sure you keep a telephone number handy for a sprinkler tank expert. Give them a call and explain what has happened. In most cases, a company will carry out an urgent site visit – usually the same day or within 24 hours.

Common concerns about leaks is that they will be expensive to repair, cause more damage before they are fixed or lead to the shutdown of a sprinkler system. The best course of action you can take is let a trained professional deal with the problem.

A sprinkler tank specialist will have dealt with similar situations many times over. And, trust us, they will have seen worse. If the leak is manageable, they will be able to inspect the tank without draining it. While remedial action is likely to require the tank to be emptied, at least you will have time to consider the options recommended to you at the end of the inspection.

Not all leaks occur as a result of a faulty tank, though it may look like it. Sometimes, a problem with a valve or the overflow is to blame. However, if your tank has split, the cause will be more obvious.

Why do leaks occur in water tanks?

A leaking sprinkler tank is often the result of corrosion. This is a natural process that occurs over several years. It is not always something you can prevent when water is in constant contact with components. It is the result of a material’s reaction to its environment, like oxidisation. Rust inside a tank can blister, leading to other problems. Weaknesses in tank walls and seams can be charted with the use of ultrasound equipment before serious damage occurs. If that sounds technical, don’t worry. Experts use this type of diagnostic tool all the time.

Detecting early signs of changes to tank walls is important for current and future maintenance. If you know the condition of your water tank is deteriorating, you can seek expert advice on how to remedy the problem.

Not all leaks are serious. Depending on the results of an independent inspection, you will likely be offered one or more of the following solutions:

• Tank repair
• Tank refurbishment*
• Tank relining
• Removal of the existing tank and replacement

*Refurbishment can include relining.

Epoxy coatings are often applied to prevent rust from returning. Leaving a salvageable tank to deteriorate beyond a state of repair won’t just cost you more in the long run. It will be more of an upheaval and lead to a longer downtime.

Whatever option best suits your tank, the likelihood is that the tank will need to be drained for the work to be carried out. This can take time to complete. However, the total time for your tank will depend on its capacity and the amount of water in it when the process is started. It will not be refilled until all the repairs are completed and checked. This is something you will need to plan for in advance, but a sprinkler tank specialist will be able to offer you sound advice.

Dealing with a leaking sprinkler tank

The longer you leave a leaking sprinkler tank, the worse the leak will become. This wastes water and poses the risk of causing further damage to the tank and its environs. Never allow an untrained person to attempt to fix a leak. It is a highly skilled job that requires knowledge of specific safety protocols.

Call an expert and let them handle it. The benefits will not just fix your tank for the immediate future but ensure it is fit for purpose for many more years to come. Good contractors will guarantee their work.

If you have taken on a site with a sprinkler tank already in situ, find an accredited contractor to independently inspect it on a regular basis. A yearly inspection will ensure it is maintained in good working order. Please note: tanks are not drained for the purpose of an inspection. ROV equipment is used to carry out forensic checks below the waterline.

Leaving a tank unchecked until a problem occurs is asking for trouble. Planned refurbishment or repair work will help you better manage downtime and minimise disruption to your sprinkler system.

There is nothing worse than finding water leaking from perforations in a sprinkler tank. Thankfully, there is something you can do to reduce the chances of this happening. If you are not sure about something or have any concerns, talk to somebody who knows sprinkler tanks inside and out.

Remember, a leaking sprinkler tank is often not the end of the world. Deal with it quickly and calmly. Get the best advice you possibly can and choose the right recommended solution for your site. A water tank used to supply sprinklers is an essential part of fire safety in many buildings. Don’t let yours fail because of an oversight or negligence.

About to drain a sprinkler tank? Draining a sprinkler tank for a routine inspection is something that happened almost back in the Dark Ages. Today, nobody should allow their tank to be drained – unless it is being refurbished or replaced. Here, we ask a director of Nationwide Water Solutions to explain why. The company is the UK’s leading water storage expert for automatic sprinkler systems.

“There are serious risks associated with draining a sprinkler tank,” he explains. “Those risks start with cutting off the water supply to sprinklers. What would happen if a fire broke out? Another risk is the potential impact on insurance. Having a sprinkler system out of operation for any length of time should be reported to your insurer. It could be that you have benefited from reduced premiums because of the high standard of your fire-fighting equipment.”

Don’t drain a sprinkler tank

Another consequence of draining a sprinkler tank is loss of water. Not only is this bad for the environment, you will literally be pouring money down the drain, says Nationwide Water Solutions. The spokesman explained: “Water conservation is important. Draining a sprinkler tank for no valid reason is a waste of a precious resource and replacing it will add to your costs.

“We advise businesses with a fire tank not to have it drained for inspections. Advanced technology now means it is possible to get highly accurate information about the internal condition of a tank while the water is still in-situ. We are among the companies offering underwater inspections. We are able to do this because we have invested in sophisticated ultrasound and camera technology that scans every inch of a tank from under the water. We used ROV equipment to take the imaging technology everywhere it has to go.”

Expert fire tank inspection service

Nationwide Water Solutions inspects any size of sprinkler tank, anywhere in the country. It provides detailed written reports, backed up with photographic evidence.

If your sprinkler tank hasn’t been inspected for a while, ensure you call in and expert and get the job done thoroughly. Don’t be tempted to drain the tank and inspect it yourself. It could cost you a lot more than water.

To book an inspection, contact Nationwide Water Solution.

Want to refurbish a sprinkler tank? Not sure of the benefits? If your tank has been assessed as suitable by an independent inspector, you could save thousands. In this blog post, we speak to Nationwide Water Solutions, the UK’s fire tank repair and refurbishment specialist, and ask: why is it worth refurbishing a sprinkler tank?

“Not every building owner knows that sprinkler tanks can be refurbished,” said a spokesman. “Yet, it is the single most cost-effective way to extend the life of a water storage system for automatic sprinklers. We offer free advice to anyone considering the merits of repair work.”

Refurbish a sprinkler tank and save time and money

As well as being cost-effective, repairing a corroded or leaking sprinkler tank is a time-saving move. Nationwide Water Solutions says: “Dismantling an existing tank and replacing it is time-consuming and often expensive. If you have a storage tank that can be repaired, your sprinkler system will only be impacted for a matter of days. This is really important if your fire safety system relies on sprinklers to look after a vulnerable building or one that stores high-value goods.

“We work on a wide range of sprinkler tanks. Our full repair and refurbishment services can be viewed here. We recommend anybody thinking of having an old tank repaired gets expert advice. Be aware that putting off a decision can mean you leave it too late.”

Extending the life of a sprinkler tank

Experts who refurbish a sprinkler tank will ensure that your water storage facilities are fit to last for many more years. As well as repairing any leaks, which can prove expensive through water loss, a good repair job will ensure valves, the access area and any weak spots in the structure are sorted.

Want to learn more? For detailed information about sprinkler tank refurbishment and the processes involved, visit Nationwide Water Solutions.

Agricultural machinery is expensive to replace and plays a vital role in farming, which is why water storage is important. With farms facing ever-increasing financial pressure, investing in robust fire protection equipment for storage buildings is crucial. Being without a high-value piece of kit at harvest and other busy times could be the tipping point.

Nationwide Water Solutions says modern barns and large agricultural buildings can benefit from sprinklers. The UK’s leading supplier of sprinkler tanks says the benefits are numerous. A spokesman for the company said: “We have noted a rise this year in the number of tractors and other machinery being completely destroyed or severely damaged in fires. One of the biggest problems facing farmers, particularly those who operate on an industrial scale, is that their premises are often located in remote areas, which can take some time for the emergency services to reach. Thus, on-site water storage makes sense.”

Agricultural machinery and water storage

A sprinkler tank helps to protect agricultural machinery by ensuring water is always available for sprinklers. In fact, it keeps water separate for the sole purpose of fighting a fire. It means, no matter where you are, a fire can be tackled from the moment it is detected. With robotics and other innovations starting to penetrate the agricultural sector, protecting investments in advanced tech has never been so important. Water storage solutions can really help.

Nationwide Water Solutions says having good fire safety equipment on site can help to reduce insurance costs. Sprinklers used in agricultural buildings can contain a fire and stop it from spreading. This could give you time to evacuate livestock and save valuable machinery that can’t be quickly replaced.

Fire protection for agricultural buildings

Whether you run a dairy farm or are an arable farmer, keeping your equipment safe should be a number one priority. If you want to learn more about how modern water storage systems with a sprinkler tank can offer you greater peace of mind, visit Nationwide Water Solutions online. It is the company trusted to install water storage tanks in hospitals, warehouses and many other building types.

Sprinklers have become commonplace in buildings across the UK. To fire safety experts, they represent the contrast between Before Grenfell and After Grenfell. The devastating fire in a London tower block with poor fire safety equipment underlined what many had been advocating for years. Sprinkler systems save lives.

But property owners considering investing in the fire safety equipment may well ask: What water supply system works best with sprinklers? In this feature we will outline the challenges posed by water supply and explain why having your own source, specifically for containing a blaze, could mean the difference between life and death.

Sprinklers are relatively inexpensive to install when you consider the potential losses that could be incurred in a fire. For example, in a residential setting, the cost can be as low as under £2,000 for two-bedroom flat. If you are a landlord managing a portfolio of properties in large houses of multiple occupation or blocks of flats, the cost will obviously increase. Commonly, the bill is based on square feet. Likewise, sprinkler systems in retail, commercial and industrial settings are likely to cost a lot more than a system in a small private house.

In very small installations on one level, it is quite feasible to let sprinklers feed from a mains water supply. However, if a building extends over a larger floor space and, in particular, levels, challenges are presented. For example, water pressure from a mains supply will not be great enough to serve sprinklers on floors above a set height. There is technology available to get around this issue, but none beat the sprinkler tank.

Water solutions for sprinkler systems

Sprinkler tanks are the most common option for industry and tower blocks. They are also found in large public buildings such as hospitals and, increasingly, schools. They are rated for their performance, longevity and, most importantly, their ability to store even very large quantities of water. At a time when warehouse fires alone are said to be costing the UK’s economy a staggering £1billion a year, getting to grips with containment at the earliest stage has never been more pressing.

There is a misconception that, once the fire brigade is called, everything will be all right. Businesses and property owners need to understand that modern-day firefighters don’t just fight fires. Many are trained in emergency first aid and are often called to attend medical emergencies and situations where cutting gear may be required. Another serious issue is tenders running out of water. If this happens, there will be a wait for back-up to arrive. In the case of Grenfell, water was in such short supply that firefighters were sent into the burning building without it – a fact later admitted by a watch manager.

The best way to tackle a fire is as soon as it starts – with sprinklers. Having a system connected to its own water supply will ensure there is a good chance that the blaze will be contained. If you can stop a fire from spreading, you will limit damage, give people more time to evacuate a building and, ultimately, save lives.

During the summer, an 82-year-old woman told the national press that sprinklers saved her from almost certain death. Bedridden, she would have struggled to escape a fire that started in her bedroom – had the system not kicked in and quickly contained the blaze. The pensioner, who lived in a block comprising more than 50 flats, said she had been smoking in bed when the fire started. Water quickly doused the flames and she suffered only minor injuries.

In an earlier case, an 81-year-old pensioner described how sprinklers saved her life after she left food in the oven. Firefighters later said it would have taken just minutes for the kitchen to be destroyed had water not been delivered to the source of the blaze immediately. In both of these cases, having a reliable source of water was crucial.

Sprinklers and the problem of water supply

The most common type of fire sprinkler system is the wet-pipe model. It works on the basis of individual sprinklers. This means that sprinkler heads are only activated when a threshold is reached. As well as being effective, this system saves water and also prevents unnecessary water damage. A point worth noting is that many modern sprinklers take their design from one invented by Frederick Grinnell in 1890.

Nowadays, sprinklers are a requirement of Building Regulations in defined types of properties. This extends beyond commercial buildings, where they have enjoyed popularity for years because of the cost-savings offered through reduced insurance premiums. It is widely recognised that a sprinkler will activate in as little as one minute while it can take much longer for fire crews to reach the scene.

Therefore, the importance of having a dedicated water supply to feed a sprinkler system cannot be overstated. Surrey Live has reported that residents in a 17 storey tower block were told by the local council, their landlord, that sprinklers would not work during issues with the water supply system. Bottles of drinking water were handed out and the issue was blamed on defective pumps. However, fire safety experts say water should be stored separately for firefighting purposes and pumps should be maintained to ensure they deliver high pressure.

If you are a property owner considering the merits of investing in a sprinkler tank, the points raised above should give you an inkling of why they are a savvy choice. Too often, buildings have been destroyed because mains water is not a suitable option or there is a delay in the response to a fire because not enough water is immediately to hand.

Water storage for sprinkler systems

You can find out more about the benefits of having a sprinkler tank from Nationwide Water Solutions. It carries out site surveys to give building owners a good understanding of the requirements and where a tank would could be best sited. These surveys are free and help those managing properties fully understand the options available. In addition to installing sprinkler tanks the company can decommission and remove existing tanks.

It offers a comprehensive repair and refurbishment service for tanks that have been certified by a specialist as being suitable for remedial works. One of its most in-demand services in underwater tank surveys. Carried out with sophisticated equipment, this type of investigation allows every part of a tank to be checked for weaknesses including corrosion.

Major insurers have joined the lobby for sprinklers and fire tanks in schools. We applaud their commitment to public safety and their efforts to convince more local education authorities and autonomous schools that modern fire fighting equipment is a must. While life preservation is the crucial factor, it should not be overlooked that the average cost of a school fire is in the millions. In some cases, tens of millions.

As one of the UK’s leading independent sprinkler tank specialists, we know only too well what can happen when not enough attention is paid to reducing risks in public buildings. Every year, up to 1,000 schools fall victim to fires. Yet, of all the properties developed for educational purposes over the past eight years, just 11 per cent have been fitted with sprinklers. Aside from the cost to the public purse of a fire, the disruption to children’s lives is considerable. They can lose irreplaceable coursework and even a sense of belonging – if they end up being crammed into portable classrooms for months while the fire damage is repaired.

Insurers point out that teachers suffer too, often being parted from notes they have amassed over an entire academic year or career. As a lobby calling for the government to make sprinklers and fire tanks mandatory in schools gathers momentum, we look at why now is the time for England to follow Scotland and get to grips with the gap in school fire safety.

Arson attacks and schools

There is a lot of evidence that points to schools posing a higher risk than some other property types for arson. While no recent major studies have been conducted into prevalence, we believe they are vulnerable simply because they are closed for long periods of time. Most schools are shut over weekends and for protracted breaks, including the six-week summer holiday. In Scotland this week, two youths were arrested on suspicion of arson following a fire at an East Renfrewshire primary school.

The blaze was reported on Sunday evening and was thankfully confined to just one room. Meanwhile, a nursery next to a school in Kent was damaged by fire earlier this month. The blaze is thought to have started in a store cupboard. In this case, arson is not suspected. The fire is believed to have been caused by an electrical fault.

However, a report into the cause of a huge fire that devastated the Glasgow School of Art was still not completed two years after the incident. Debris was still being removed from the gutted site. It was the second fire to devastate the building.

Because of their vulnerability, we believe all school buildings should have sprinklers and fire tanks. This is how a school fire can quickly get out of control.

Fire tanks and their use in schools

Fire tanks are a good idea for sprinkler systems in schools, largely because of campus layouts and sizes. The average comprehensive school, for example, has interconnecting buildings, most often on multiple levels. Any building on this type of scale requires adequate water to contain a fire as soon as it is detected. While sprinklers will automatically be triggered, relying on mains water is not recommended. We are proud to supply and maintain water storage solutions that are exclusively designed to serve sprinkler systems.

Insurers believe the threshold for current requirements are too low, focussing solely on life preservation. They want to see more done to protect material assets as well as provide more protection for firefighters called to tackle blazes in schools. They point out that arguments over the cost of installing sprinklers don’t stand up because, often, savings passed on by reduced insurance costs eventually pay for the investment.

One of the areas being examined is the size of ‘compartments’ in a building. Some believe, with greater use of sprinklers, the existing standard size could be increased – but only for those properties with sprinkler systems. We don’t want to comment on this suggestion because it is a matter for building control and the government to examine. What we can say is that there is plenty of evidence out there to support claims that fire tanks in schools provide the most robust protection, delivering water to the seat of a fire as soon as possible and keeping it contained in those vital early seconds and minutes.

Currently, class sizes are rising in the UK. This corresponds with an increase in overall school pupil numbers. The average secondary school has a total of more than 940 students. In September, Zurich Municipal suggested that up to two-thirds of England’s schools lack systems to properly manage fire risks. After conducting research, it stated that the area worst impacted is the south of England.

Our background in fire safety

Nationwide Water Solutions installs, maintains and inspects fire tanks across the UK. Based in Yorkshire, we deliver services to a wide range of sectors. Our customers include those in manufacturing and industry as well as the public realm. We usually meet our customers for the first time when they decide they want to install a sprinkler system and need a dedicated water supply, or have concerns about the integrity of their existing water tank.

Our services include free site surveys for those looking to invest in robust water storage, fabrication of bespoke sprinkler tanks, installation and refurbishment and relining. We also conduct independent inspections that ensure sprinkler systems remain operational throughout as well as conserve water. Our team achieves this with technology that is used under water to survey the surface and components of a tank.

The fire tank repair service includes fibreglass and epoxy coatings as well as EPDM linings. We can only undertake repairs to water storage systems that have been deemed by an independent expert to be suitable. In cases where remedial action is recommended, our solutions can extensive the lifespan of a tank by more than a decade.

For further information about our products and services, please visit our website or contact us by telephone on 0345 505 254.

Film and recording studios hold important assets that have more than monetary value. In some cases historic artefacts as well as recordings are stored in often large complexes. Fire safety should be paramount. Artists have launched a legal challenge against one studio after a fire purportedly destroyed a large number of recordings. A lawsuit seeking £78m in damages has been filed by the estates of Tom Petty and Tupac Shakur, as well as bands and singer-songwriters.

This week, more than 75 firefighters tackled another blaze at a film studio near London. The studio is famed for spawning the Harry Potter films. While there are no reports of injuries, any damage to creative works, props and other assets could prove costly or impossible to replace. While it is not known if automatic sprinkler systems were installed in either of the two studios mentioned here, they are designed to prevent fires from spreading.

Water storage is the star of fire fighting

A spokesman for Nationwide Water Solutions, the UK’s leading sprinkler tank specialist, said: “If a studio is looking for a real A-lister, a sprinkler tank is cheaper than a celebrity and a real star when it comes to ensuring automatic sprinkler systems work properly. They store water around the clock, guaranteeing there is always water available in the right quantity, at the right time to contain a blaze. We recommend fire tanks for a wide range of building types, and recording studios are among them.”

The spokesman added: “A fire can occur at any time and knowing you have water available to fight it immediately offers real peace of mind. Many people don’t realise that firefighters can struggle to access enough water to tackle a large fire. That is why fire and rescue services have water carriers, but they are often only called in once initial crews are on the scene. Time is everything when fighting a fire. That is why it is best to have your own constant supply.”

Sprinkler tank site survey for film and recording studios

Nationwide Water Solutions carries out free site surveys for property owners contemplating the benefits of a sprinkler tank. If you are reviewing your fire safety equipment, get in touch.

Flats above shops should have robust fire fighting equipment. That is because commercial premises often store goods and packaging that present a fire spread risk. If a fire breaks out in a shop, it can quickly spread to accommodation on upper floors. Think about cardboard, flammable materials and other common risks.

Earlier today 80 firefighters tackled a blaze in a shop and flats in London.Twelve fire engines were sent to the scene shortly after 6.10am. It is not known where or how the fire started but thick smoke and work being undertaken by emergency services meant the closure of roads and the evacuation of the immediate area.

Fire safety for flats above shops

If you are a landlord renting out flats above shops, consider installing a sprinkler system. Automatic sprinklers will protect your investment and look after your tenants. If your premises is on multiple levels or especially large, get a sprinkler tank too.

A sprinkler tank provides a water supply to automatic sprinkler system day or night. It ensures water is always available – helping to contain a fire from the start and reducing the risks of major damage and / or injury.

Sprinkler tanks for mixed use buildings

Nationwide Water Solutions is an expert when it comes to installing and maintaining sprinkler tanks in mixed use buildings. This includes commercial premises with dwelling either attached or above. A spokesman said: “Fires that start in commercial properties can easily spread to dwellings – particularly if the accommodation is just above or either side. It makes sense to invest properly in fire safety – for your benefit and for others.”

If you want to find out more about sprinkler tanks, why not book a free site inspection? Alternatively, visit Nationwide Water Solutions.

Hotel fire latest: If you own a hotel, today’s news will be depressing. A fire is still raging at the Cribbs Causeway Premier Inn, Bristol. Parts of the building have collapsed onto the M5 and fire chiefs have not ruled out calling in more resources.

The blaze, which started yesterday, has devastated the hotel. Conditions inside what remains of the building are ‘extremely dangerous’, the fire and rescue service has said. Residents nearby are still being told to keep their doors and window shut because of lingering smoke.

The impact of a hotel fire

Nationwide Water Solutions is a fire tank expert. It supplies water storage tanks for automatic sprinkler systems. Its directors have been closely following the development of the hotel fire. It is not known at this stage what fire fighting equipment was installed in the building, but a spokesman said: “It is truly devastating to see a building on this scale be destroyed by a fire. The cost of rebuilding the hotel is likely to be very expensive. The only good thing to come out of this is that all the hotel guests have been accounted for.”

If you are concerned about fire safety in your hotel, consider storing water to fight a fire. A sprinkler tank works with an automatic sprinkler system and ensures water is available around the clock – exclusively for the purpose of containing a blaze from the earliest opportunity. The fire at the Premier Inn started on the third floor. A sprinkler tank ensures water can be delivered to any level of a building quickly. It helps overcome the issue of low water pressure.

Book a free hotel sprinkler tank site survey

Find out more about the benefits of a sprinkler tank at your hotel. Book a free site survey with Nationwide Water Solutions here. Alternatively, call 0345 505 2540 for further information.

Holidaymakers have been evacuated from a site in Cleethorpes following a suspected arson attack on an expanse of open land. The large blaze has engulfed land near holiday parks and other popular attractions. Packed for the summer holiday, the area is now being cleared while a huge operation gets under way to stop the fire from spreading.

Fire safety experts say property owners with buildings close to open land should consider the risks of a wildfire or arson attack when carrying out risk assessments. A spokesperson for Nationwide Water Solutions said: “Hopefully this fire near Thorpe Park can be quickly contained. After weeks of very hot weather, the land will be very dry. The risk of the fire spreading is very real and that is why the emergency services aren’t taking any chances.”

Helping people to be safely evacuated

The spokesperson said, because wild, accidental and deliberate fires can occur at any time of the day or night, those close to large open areas should consider the merits of installing automatic sprinklers. The spokesman said: “Sprinklers get to work straightaway, so if a fire was to spread to a property it would be quickly detected. Having a sprinkler tank guarantees water is available to contain the fire and give people more time to be safely evacuated.

“While the fire in Cleethopres is reported to be being treated as ‘deliberate’, many fires in the open are started by accident. People having barbecues or dropping a cigarette end may not realise that the heat can spark a devastating fire. Because this type of blaze is not uncommon, we would urge all property owners to consider the risks and invest in appropriate fire safety equipment.”

The sprinkler tank people

Nationwide Water Solutions supplies and installs a wide range of sprinklers tanks. It also repairs and maintains existing tanks and offers an independent fire tank inspection service.

To find out more about the benefits of on-site water storage for automatic sprinklers, visit Nationwide Water Solutions.

A fire sprinkler tank is currently not legally required in UK multi storey car parks. This is in spite of growing calls from local authorities and campaigners. A brand new multi storey car park at Manchester Airport is today the scene of major blaze. It is not yet known if the car park benefits from sprinklers. Plumes of smoke can be seen billowing from a site close to Terminal 2, which is currently undergoing a £1b expansion.

Asset protection, as well as life preservation measures, should be a priority consideration for any enclosed space near a major development or where people congregate. The nature of multi storey car parks means they are often located inside a building or adjoining a facility. Even in cases where an indoor car park is adjacent, the risks of a fire spreading can be high. This means that a detailed evaluation of safety equipment is imperative.

Enclosed parking spaces and a fire sprinkler tank

Nationwide Water Solutions, the fire sprinkler tank company trusted by major brands in the public and private sector, said multi storey car parks are an issue. “The problem is that they house vehicles that contain fuel,” said a spokesman.  “If a fire breaks out, it can be hard to tackle, spread quickly, and pose a range of challenges.

“More and more fire safety experts are advising developers to look carefully at fire risk assessments for multi storey car parks and other types of under-cover storage areas. What we have to bear in mind is that vehicles can catch fire for any number of reasons. Having a vehicle fire inside a building is much more serious than at the side of a road.”

The British Sprinkler Alliance has raised the issue at Government level. The BAFSA raised similar concerns following a fire that caused £20m worth of damage in Liverpool. Engineers Ireland and even The Times newspaper have had something to say about lack of action over dangers posed by fires in multi storey car parks.

Don’t wait for legislation – act now

Many experts expect a sprinkler requirement for enclosed car parks to form part of a new nationwide approach to fire safety. You don’t have to wait to be compelled to install sprinklers. Do it now and ensure you include a fire sprinkler tank to ensure water is available to tackle a blaze immediately.

If you are concerned about fire risks in a multi storey car park you own or manage, ask for a free site survey from Nationwide Water Solutions.

In recent years, big pub chains have cottoned on to the B&B market. That means more pubs are offering accommodation. A sprinkler tank can aid fire safety in large premises that that may be vulnerable simply because of the number of people frequenting it. If your pub chain has recently expanded its bed and breakfast offer, the UK’s leading sprinkler tank expert has some timely advice.

Nationwide Water Solutions says providing accommodation to guests can increase fire risks. Additional strain on power supplies, unauthorised smoking and other dangers can all cause fires. So too can cosy open fires. To protect investments and assets, pub chains are urged to revisit fire safety and consider the benefits of installing sprinklers and a fire tank.

Why a sprinkler tank?

A spokesman for Nationwide Water Solutions said: “Quite simply, a sprinkler tank can help stop a fire from spreading. This is vital if you are letting rooms above a pub or have live-in staff. A recent fire saw a man sleeping in accommodation above a pub put at risk. Thankfully, he was rescued.

“Elsewhere, explosions were heard after a pub near Bristol caught fire. Significant damage was caused, and eight fire appliances were needed to bring the blaze under control. Firefighters were on the scene for more than six hours. Large pubs offering a B&B element need to consider fire safety and take the appropriate steps to ensure risk assessments are carried out regularly.”

Sprinkler tank installation and maintenance

Nationwide Water Solutions installs and maintains sprinkler tanks in a wide range of premises. It works with businesses and public authorities to deliver robust water storage systems that support sprinklers. Its customers include industrial businesses, hospitals, schools and office blocks.

If you want to know more about sprinkler tanks and what they do to support fire safety, visit Nationwide Water Solutions. Alternatively, call 0345 505 2540 to book a FREE site survey.

A sprinkler tank contents gauge plays an important role in helping you to monitor water levels in your fire tank. Consider it an early warning system that can indicate the presence of a leak. It will prompt you to take action to minimise water loss and more serious damage.

At Nationwide Water Solutions, we often refurbish or replace a contents gauge during sprinkler tank repair work. But you shouldn’t wait for something to go wrong before you act to repair a faulty, old or damaged piece of monitoring equipment such as this. We are here to help you keep your sprinkler tank and ancillary equipment in tip-top condition before a problem develops.

Dangers of ignoring a sprinkler tank contents gauge

A contents gauge should be regularly checked. An indication that the water level in your tank has dropped suddenly could suggest:

• Corrosion
• A perforation in the tank lining
• Problem with valves

Help yourself to keep a close watch on sprinkler tank water levels effortlessly. Ensure your contents gauge is easily accessible so you can take readings quickly and conveniently. If you are worried your gauge is not working, seek advice immediately. This relatively low-cost piece of equipment provides long-term peace of mind and should be replaced if it is beyond repair.

The contents gauge and your sprinkler tank

Here at Nationwide Water Solutions, we provide a wide range of services designed to ensure you have adequate water supplies to tackle a fire the moment one is detected. We install sprinkler tanks of all shapes and sizes to work with automatic sprinkler systems. We also provide a range of repair and refurbishment services, along with ROV tank inspections.

Concerned about the integrity or your sprinkler tank? Don’t leave it. Contact us to book an inspection. Visit our website or give us a call on 0345 505 2540.

As police in Northumberland issued images of an arsonist who unwittingly set himself on fire, a fire tank expert was warning businesses not to be complacent when it comes to fire safety. The arsonist was caught on camera torching a workshop in Gateshead earlier this month. Footage shared by police shows his hands and clothes on fire.

A police spokesman said the fire is being treated as ‘malicious arson’. The workshop was on a farm and the culprit, who has yet to be identified, could be seen pouring a flammable substance on a door. He then became a human fireball. Police say they are certain the man would have suffered serious burns in the incident and have issued an appeal in a bid to locate him.

The rise of malicious arson attacks

Businesses, in particular, need to be aware of the dangers posed by malicious arson attacks. A spokesman for fire tank specialists Nationwide Water Solutions said: “This type of crime is on the rise and can prove very costly, as well as dangerous. Businesses that store large amounts of goods or who count machinery as assets should protect them, their building and people’s lives with automatic sprinkler systems.”

The spokesman added: “Industrial and commercial premises, particularly those on more than one level, should also invest in a fire tank. This will ensure that water is ready to fight an arson attack almost immediately. It is fortunate that, in the Gateshead incident, nobody else was injured. The fact is that many arson attacks take place at night when few people are around to raise the alarm quickly. Having the right equipment on standby will ensure that no time is lost in containing a fire.”

Nationwide Water Solutions, the fire tank expert

If you want to protect your business from malicious arson attacks, consider the benefits of a fire tank. Talk to Nationwide Water Solutions. It installs, maintains and inspects water storage tanks across the UK. For further information, visit Nationwide Water Solutions or call 0345 505 2540.

Industrial fires can have a devastating impact on businesses, their employees and the local economy. That is why water storage tanks are important in large-scale industrial premises. Connected to modern fire-fighting equipment, stored water can quickly contain a fire and stop it from spreading. This is important to maintain operations and minimise damage.

Nationwide Water Solutions works with businesses in the industrial sector. It supplies and installs a huge range of water tanks designed to work with automatic sprinkler systems. If your business has yet to invest in state-of-the-art fire safety equipment, now is the time. You can benefit from a completely free site survey by calling Nationwide Water Solutions on 0345 505 2540.

How water storage tanks support businesses

By containing a fire with the help of water storage tanks, industrial businesses can limit the impact on productivity. Reducing the impact of a fire to a small area means a business can maintain productivity levels. A spokesman for Nationwide Water Solutions said: “Industrial fires are more common than a lot of people think. Even a false alarm can hit production, meaning good fire fighting equipment is essential. Knowing that your premises benefits from an instant water supply to fight a fire around the clock offers complete peace of mind.”

Yesterday afternoon firefighters were called to reports of an industrial fire in Newport. Crews from Newport and Ryde attended Newport Quay just after 4.30pm. On this occasion, it was a false alarm and crews were stood down. Nationwide Water Solutions understands an alarm was triggered by external fumes.

Water storage tanks: installation and refurbishment

As well as installing water storage tanks, Nationwide Water Solutions also repairs and refurbishes existing ones that are showing signs of wear. It provides a nationwide underwater inspection service and has a team of fully trained engineers to carry out repair work.

For further information, visit Nationwide Water Solutions’ website or give them a call to arrange a site visit or water tank inspection.

The world could only watch as one of the biggest tourist attractions in the world burned last month. Notre-Dame Cathedral was described as ‘the epicentre of our lives’ by Parisians and President Emmanuel Macron. It succumbed to flames that almost wiped out its 850-year old history. Part of the iconic Gothic structure was undergoing remedial works at the time.

An electrical fault is currently being assessed as the possible cause of the fire. Meanwhile, the UK’s leading sprinkler tank expert says lessons can already be learned. Nationwide Water Solutions is urging those who own or manage historic sites to consider the impact of a major fire when carrying out risk assessments. A spokesman explained: “Too often, it is discovered after a devastating fire that that not enough fire safety equipment was in place to stop a fire from spreading. Modern automatic sprinkler systems and sprinkler tanks can effectively contain a fire and limit the damage.”

Don’t want your historic site to suffer the same fate as Notre-Dame Cathedral? Here are two lessons that have already been learned:

1. Invest in modern fire fighting equipment

Nationwide Water Solutions says too many building owners don’t look at the bigger picture when planning fire safety improvements. A spokesman said: “We cannot comment on the firefighting equipment installed at Notre-Dame Cathedral. What we can say is that time and time again, we hear of cases where hugely important buildings have been all-but lost because owners have failed to install sprinklers and a sprinkler tank. Some worry about water damage, but compared to the loss of a major landmark it is a small price to pay.

2. Properly maintain fire safety equipment

Nationwide Water Solutions urges owners of historic properties to check the last time they had their sprinkler tank independently inspected. It offers a nationwide inspection service and uses underwater ROV equipment to carry out checks while tanks are still full and sprinkler systems fully operational. Book an inspection here.

It will take years, possibly decades, to restore Notre-Dame Cathedral’s landmark spire and interior. Take action now to protect your historic building and preserve it for posterity. Visit Nationwide Water Solutions.

Tower blocks in Luton are the latest to get sprinkler systems. Two high-rise buildings are receiving the additional fire safety equipment. It is part of a £4.5m round of improvements. Tower blocks set to benefit include Leabank and Penhill flats. Both are located on Luton’s Marsh Farm estate.

Residents have welcomed the investment, saying they feel “safer” and “more protected”. Work started in the summer and is expected to be completed by the end of January. Nationwide Water Solutions, the UK’s market leading sprinkler tank supplier, says the the project will significantly improve safety for tenants.

Mist sprinkler system

A spokesman for Nationwide Water Solutions said: “We have been following the progress of fire safety work around the country following the devastating loss of life at Grenfell. In this case, Luton Borough Council has supported investment in mist sprinkler systems.”

The improvement work also includes the installation of CCTV and security lighting.

Work started in August and should be completed by February, covering 14 floors. Abdul Kahir, is housing asset manager for the council. He told the press: “It is about making sure that people living in high-rises are given assurances they are safe. We are a forward-thinking organisation and have invested quite a lot of money over the years to improve our properties.”

Nationwide Water Solutions

Are you planning to invest in an automatic sprinkler system? If you aim to use s sprinkler tank to store water to fight a fire, contact Nationwide Water Solutions. It carries out free, in-depth site visits across the UK and offers invaluable advice. Its services include the supply and installation of fire tanks.

Services for those with existing tanks include annual inspections, refurbishment and repairs. For further information or to book a site visit, go to Nationwide Water Solutions. The company is also available to offer free technical advice.

If you want to know how sprinkler tank lining can benefit your sprinkler system, this blog post will be helpful. It will outline when the lining of a sprinkler tank can be carried out, how and the best materials. A sprinkler tank is essential in many buildings with automatic sprinklers. Maintaining your tank and ensuring it is in good condition is important.

We have collected together the most commonly asked questions about sprinkler tank lining. We have done this in a bid to offer you the very best advice. All the information has been supplied by experts here at the UK’s leading sprinkler tank specialist, Nationwide Water Solutions.

When is sprinkler tank lining recommended?

Put simply, sprinkler tank lining extends the life of your tank. It saves you the cost of dismantling and removing a tank as well as the expense of having a new one installed. You should only invest in sprinkler tank lining if your fire tank is showing signs of wear and on the advice of an independent inspector. Although sprinkler tanks don’t have to be inspected annually, Nationwide Water Solutions recommends they are. This is because corrosion can lead to weak spots in a tank that could eventually cause a tank to leak.

Sprinkler tank lining materials

Nationwide Water Solutions recommends sprinkler tank lining with EPDM. Recognised as a higher quality material than traditional alternatives, including butyl rubber, it is extremely robust and durable.

Will my sprinkler tank have to be drained for relining?

Yes. The tank is drained over a period of up to 36 hours and the whole lining process can take some days to complete. The full process is explained here.

Will sprinkler tank relining deal with any rust?

Yes. Nationwide Water Solutions cleans the tank’s internal surfaces, removing rust and any other debris.

If you want to extend the life of your fire tank, find out more about sprinkler tank lining. For free advice, visit Nationwide Water Solutions or call 0345 505 2540.

Looking at an inspection report that says sprinkler tank repair services are needed to protect the integrity of your automatic sprinkler system? Not sure if you want to invest in a new tank or find out more about refurbishment options? Many businesses and property owners needlessly invest in a new sprinkler tank when they don’t need to.

Common misconceptions are that:

• Repairs won’t last
• Refurbishment is a waste of money
• The work won’t be guaranteed
• Repairs will take too long to complete

Enter Nationwide Water Solutions with great reasons why sprinkler tank repair services are a good move. You will be surprised by the number of benefits and how quickly the work can be carried out.

Guaranteed sprinkler tank repair services

A spokesman said: “Sprinkler tank repair services are extremely cost-effective. It saves you money and ensures your fire tank is fit for purpose for many years to come. If you have been told by an independent expert that your tank is suitable for refurbishment, yes, it is worth it.”

The company says its repairs:

• Are guaranteed to last
• Save the expense and inconvenience of having an existing tank dismantled and removed
• Are cheaper than buying a replacement sprinkler tank
• Take less than a week to carry out

In addition, Nationwide Water Solutions’ repairs include an anti-corrosion coating to stop a tank from deteriorating. All its staff are fully trained and complete every project to the highest standards. What’s more, the company offers free site visits and free technical advice.

Nationwide Water Solutions

If you want to know more about the advanced repair systems used by Nationwide Water Solutions, call 0345 505 2540 or email sales@nws-uk.co.uk Alternatively, visit the Nationwide Water Solutions website where you will find detailed information about its sprinkler tank repair services.

The company operates across the UK and inspects and installs fire tanks in a wide range of environments

The fire service is one of the most underrated public services in the UK. It is less likely to speak out when it is hit by spending cuts, yet this winter it will be deployed in the NHS. That’s right, fire crews will be drafted in to take patients home from hospital.

Worcestershire Acute Hospital Trust has come to an arrangement which it hopes will prevent overcrowding and bed-blocking. But what does that mean for fire cover? According to reports, firefighters will transport vulnerable patients home. Not only that, they will “settle them in and check their surroundings are safe”.

Queuing ambulances lead to winter plan

The arrangement to use fire crews to take hospital patients home follows scenes of queuing ambulances outside hospitals last year. The fire service in Worcestershire has agreed to provide the transport service for six months – for free. During that time, it will seek to establish how much help the trust needs.

The service will be offered to patients at Alexandra Hospital in Redditch from the beginning of December. The Health Service Journal reports a spokesperson saying: “The service will be aimed at the most vulnerable to ensure they are safe in their own homes. Patients who can walk and possibly some wheelchair users will all benefit from transport home by uniformed fire service staff who are fully trained in identifying risks…”

What this means for your winter fire safety

Nationwide Water Solutions Limited is the UK’s market-leading, independent sprinkler tank expert. A spokesman said: “All eyes will be on Worcestershire this winter to see how this scheme works. What we don’t want to see is a national roll-out. Fire services are stretched and, in the event of a major fire, adequate resources are required in the quickest possible time.

“We advise owners of large commercial, retail and residential businesses to ensure their fire safety equipment can suppress a blaze and stop it from spreading. An automatic sprinkler system with a sprinkler tank is essential at a time when public services are under the cosh.

“In recent weeks, we have seen problems caused by low water pressure. These issues have highlighted the real benefits of having your own stored water supply to fight a fire. Our sprinkler tanks are designed to meet the needs of the buildings they serve and are a robust safety and loss prevention measure.”

Book a free site survey with Nationwide Water Solutions. For further information visit this website.

Over the past year, you may have noticed us recording sprinkler projects in high-rise tower blocks. As a sprinkler tank specialist, we like to stay up to date with projects. Up and down the country, it seems, landlords are doing their bit to improve fire safety following the Grenfell tragedy. So you may be surprised to learn that just 4 per cent of council-owned tower blocks in London have the life-saving equipment.

According to research, undertaken by Labour and shared with the BBC, only 32 of the capital city’s 837 council-owned buildings above 30 metres have sprinklers. Croydon Central MP Sarah Jones is now calling on the government to set up a “fire safety fund” to help councils. You may recall reading stories on this blog where government cash towards sprinkler schemes was refused.

Necessary steps ‘taken’ for tower blocks

While Housing Minister Kit Malthouse claims the government has done what is required when it comes to fire safety in high rise buildings, many don’t agree – including councils. Some have pledged to spend in excess of £10m to ensure their tower block tenants get the protection they need.

A coroner recommended councils should consider retrofit sprinklers in existing high-rise residential buildings back in 2009 – before the fire at Grenfell Tower. The government is likely to be reminded of that when the fund is mooted.

Sprinklers and a sprinkler tank for robust fire safety

Nationwide Water Solutions, the UK’s foremost sprinkler tank expert, says it is surprised so many tower blocks in London are still without sprinkler systems. A spokesman said: “We are here, ready to assist councils when they consider the importance of water storage for sprinklers. For any council considering retro-fitting sprinkler systems, we offer completely free site surveys.”

If you represent a council keen to invest in fire safety, contact Nationwide Water Solutions. Find out more by visiting the company’s website.

About Sprinkler Tank Maintenance

Nationwide Sprinkler Tank Maintenance

Now, here’s some food for thought for restaurants… What fire safety measures have you got in place for your restaurant or pub? Because they are linked to kitchens, restaurant owners have to consider risks to the public as well as their premises. Kitchen fires pose a constant danger and having robust measures in place can stop a fire from causing major damage – and protect lives.

Every year, hundreds of fires occur in restaurants across the UK. Some go unreported, because they are quickly contained. The real danger of a fire in a restaurant is that it could spread to neighbouring properties, particularly if it is located in a mixed use building. Canteen facilities in schools, hospitals and workplaces need to pay particular attention to fire safety.

Recognise the dangers in commercial kitchens and restaurants

Cooking oil and deep fat fryers are a common cause of fires in commercial kitchens. They are among the reasons why restaurant fires feature highly in loss statistics. Other causes of kitchen fires include faulty appliances and wiring. When you consider the risks and potential losses incurred as a result of a fire, it is worth investigating how automatic sprinklers and a sprinkler tank can offer you greater protection.

Large premises should always invest in sprinklers. A sprinkler tank should be added to ensure water is available in the right quantity when a fire breaks out. This is especially important if the building is spread out over multiple levels or is considered vulnerable.

How to find out more

Talk to us. We are Nationwide Water Solutions Limited. We are the UK’s leading independent fire tank specialist. We offer free site surveys with detailed reports, and we can design, supply and install the right sprinkler tank solution for your premises.

If your restaurant or commercial kitchen already benefits from sprinklers, when was your sprinkler tank last inspected? Insurers take a dim view of those who fail to maintain fire safety equipment properly. We recommend an independent inspection is conducted at least annually. Contact us to book an appointment. There is no need to drain your tank for the inspection because we use underwater technology.

For further information, visit our website.

Sprinkler tanks play a pivotal role in fire safety. But what about sprinkler tank maintenance? In a high-risk building,  a sprinkler tank can mean the difference between life and death. If your building benefits from an automatic sprinkler system, how well is your sprinkler tank maintained?

Sprinkler tanks are often overlooked. But they require annual inspections to ensure they are fit for purpose. Leaks, corrosion and other issues can make your fire safety precautions vulnerable. That is why Nationwide Water Solutions helps building owners maintain their sprinkler tank.

Don’t overlook sprinkler tank maintenance

If a sprinkler tank isn’t maintained, your automatic sprinkler system could fail. This could be a disaster. As well as putting lives at risk, it could lead to extensive fire damage. Consider too the loss of large volumes of stock and/or personal property.

We recommend sprinkler tanks are independently inspected at least annually. This ensures that any problems are detected quickly. Where a problem is found that can be remedied, we offer a range of services to ensure your sprinkler tank is as good as new.

Where a sprinkler tank is deemed to have come to the end of its life, we can design, supply and install a new one.

Our repair services include tank relining.

Love your sprinkler tank

Look after your sprinkler tank and it will look after you.

A Nationwide Water Solutions’ spokesman said: “Taking care of vital life-saving equipment is paramount. A sprinkler tank should never be neglected, and you should not rely on in-house inspections to get the full picture of a tank’s condition. We urge building owners to ensure their sprinkler tank is independently inspected every twelve months.”

A sprinkler tank is an excellent feature of any loss prevention strategy. We recommend a sprinkler tank for large buildings, particularly public premises, industrial sites, factories, schools and high-rise apartments.

Want to now more? Visit our website for further information.

Austerity, uncertainties over Brexit and low confidence have all hit UK businesses. A fire could be the straw that breaks the camel’s back. In fact, more than 80 per cent of businesses affected by a fire go on to fail. That is why we are highlighting the importance of GRP fire suppression tanks for businesses.

Financial strains on businesses of all sizes means their eye has been taken off loss prevention. But strategies to protect physical assets should be increased, not decreased, during difficult trading periods. This is because the risks associated with the loss of property and goods – not to mention the potential loss of life – will have a greater impact on an already struggling business.

GRP fire suppression tanks explained

GRP fire suppression tanks, or sprinkler tanks, ensure water is always available to fight a fire. They prevent the spread of fire by containing it. Many people who benefit from a fire suppression tank liken it to having their own firefighter on duty 24/7.

Automatic sprinkler systems are considered the gold standard in fire safety equipment. If you own a warehouse, factory, apartment block or shopping centre, you need sprinklers. They will protect your financial investment as well as giving you – and others – peace of mind. We recommend a fire suppression tank if you own a building that is not staffed around the clock. A fire left undetected will spread and cause devastating damage.

Nationwide Water Solutions

A GRP fire suppression tank gets to work immediately. The moment a fire is detected, and sprinklers are activated, it pumps water to the point of a fire. Nationwide Water Solutions is the UK’s leading independent fire suppression tank expert. It supplies and installers sprinkler tanks – and offers a wide range of complementary services.

Operating across the country, it is driving up standards and reducing risks to businesses. If you are worried that austerity has forced you to overlook fire safety essentials, talk to Nationwide Water Solutions Limited. If your business premises already has a sprinkler tanks, it can inspect it and ensure you are aware of its condition.

Discover more about GPR fire suppression tanks by visiting the website.

West Yorkshire Fire Service has revealed a fire that started in a takeaway caused potentially dangerous smoke to seep into nearby accommodation. The takeaway is located on the ground floor of a mixed use building that has apartments above.

Three fire engines, sent from from Leeds and Hunslet stations, attended the scene. An aerial appliance also attended following reports of a fire at 7.35am today. Although the fire was quickly put out, it highlights the dangers of mixed use buildings.

A spokesperson for the fire service said: “There are reports that one person has suffered smoke inhalation as a result of the fire and an ambulance was requested. A Fire Investigation Officer is on the scene and is looking into the cause.”

Risks of mixed use buildings highlighted

Nationwide Water Solutions is one of the UK’s leading sprinkler tank specialists. It says, commercial premises in mixed use buildings need to review risk assessments for fire regularly.

A spokesman said: “Dwellings that are located in the same building as commercial concerns can be at greater risk of fire. This means that building owners need to be aware of the increased risks.

“Buildings used for more than one use should benefit from automatic sprinkler systems. The onus should be on building owners to ensure the necessary fire-fighting equipment is installed.”

Sprinkler tank specialists

Nationwide Water Solutions supplies and installs sprinkler tanks. The water storage tanks ensure water is reserved to fight fire around the clock. They are especially beneficial in commercial premises that are left unattended, large buildings and multi-occupancy buildings.

As well as installing sprinkler tanks, Nationwide Water Solutions also maintains an repairs existing ones. It offers an independent under water inspection service. Sprinkler tanks should be inspected at least once in a 12 month period.

For further information about Nationwide Water Solutions, visit the website. Use the contact form to get in touch and request a free site visit.

Note: Image used is for illustration purposes only.

Have you invested in a sprinkler system and sprinkler tank? Did you know, it is important to stay on top of maintenance? A good sprinkler tank should last for many years. With annual independent inspections, any minor remedial work can be undertaken to extend the life of a tank. However, corrosion should never be ignored.

If a sprinkler tank becomes badly corroded, it is likely to leak. Apart from compromising your sprinkler system, leaking water is bad for the environment and could cause costly damage. In today’s blog post, we are going to be examining the topic of corrosion and sprinkler tanks. We hope it helps you understand the importance of proper maintenance.

What is corrosion?

Corrosion doesn’t normally occur overnight in a sprinkler tank. It is a natural process which may happen over a good many years. It is the result of metal being gradually eroded by water, chemicals and/or air. One of the biggest indicators of corrosion is rust. This is caused by the formation of iron oxides.

The difficulty with a sprinkler tank is that the corrosion is likely to be where a visual inspection can’t see it. For example, it could be below the water line inside the tank. It is for this reason that regular, professional inspections are vital.

How to detect corrosion

It is never a good idea to drain a sprinkler tank to visually inspect it. This will interrupt your fire safety measures and seriously compromise your sprinkler system. Instead, you should call in the experts. Nationwide Water Solutions carries out underwater inspections. This process doesn’t involve divers or anything dramatic. The specialist firm uses underwater cameras.

The benefits of an underwater sprinkler tank inspection are two-fold. One, they determine the actual condition of a tank. Two, they provide photographic evidence of any corrosion – so you are not left in any doubt. It also keeps your fire safety system fully operational and saves water.

Sprinkler tank repair

If your sprinkler tank is found to have corrosion, the inspection report will make qualified recommendations. In some cases, a sprinkler tank can be relined or repaired. In others, it may need to be replaced. Nationwide Water Solutions carries out sprinkler tank repairs across the UK.

For further information about its sprinkler tank services, visit the website.

A major fire in Liverpool at the end of last year could prompt fresh calls for new fire safety assessments in open-sided car parks. It is understood that pressure groups will demand sprinklers in all ‘at risk’ parking areas. The fire in Merseyside spread to multiple cars, causing hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of damage. More than 1,000 vehicles were destroyed in the blaze.

It has been reported that the fire spread so rapidly a car was catching alight every half a minute. At the moment, open-sided car parks are not required by law to have sprinklers. The Government has, in the past, played down the effectiveness of sprinkler systems in car parks. However, fire safety experts are now suggesting the matter needs to be revisited.

Containing fires in car parks

Sprinklers contain fires, delaying the time it takes for them to spread. Firefighters universally back the installation of sprinkler systems in high-risk buildings. It keeps a blaze under control until emergency services get to the scene. One of the biggest concerns about open-sided car parks is that they are often found in multi-purpose buildings, including some tower blocks.

The number of vehicles affected by a blaze in a car park would be significantly reduced by sprinklers. Housing experts are already expressing concerns that fire suppression systems are not more widely used in covered car parks.

Nationwide Water Solutions

Nationwide Water Solutions is the UK’s leading independent sprinkler tank specialist. It says: “The risks posed by burning vehicles makes all covered car parks an obvious choice for sprinkler systems. Open-sided covered car parks are no exception.

“We supply sprinkler tanks to ensure sprinklers have the water they need to suppress a fire. Any building owner who is concerned about fire safety in an open-sided covered car park is invited to get in touch. We provide free site surveys and technical advice.”

Nationwide Water Solutions supplies and installs sprinkler tanks. It also maintains and repairs tanks.

For further information, visit the company’s website.

Breaking news…Firefighters are currently tackling a fire at St Thomas More Roman Catholic Academy in North Shields. The blaze was reported in the early hours of today (Tuesday). At the scene, more than 20 firefighters are attempting to put the fire out.

Five fire engines are currently at the school. The blaze is said to have been reported at around 2am. No injuries have been reported.

School now closed

The headmaster, named in the local press as ‘Mr Watson’, initially said the school would be open as normal today – even though firefighters are still on the scene.

Mr Watson released a statement to the local press that said: “Early this morning there was an isolated fire in part of the school building. As the building was empty nobody was at risk and early indications are that it started accidentally.

“As the fire occurred in part of the building that we can seal off, school will be open as normal.”

However, he has just released a second statement: “…the fire alarm system and telephone line in most of the wider school has unfortunately been compromised. This was only discovered when a fire alarm engineer came on site. We therefore have no alternative but to close the school for all students today, Tuesday 10th July.

“As soon as we have anymore information we will let you know. Any students who are already in school have been informed and those that can, will make their own way home. I am sure you understand that we need to put the safety of students and staff first.

“If this is a problem for any of the students we will keep them in school until other arrangements can be made.”

“I sincerely apologise for this very late notice but hope that you understand how fluid the current situation is.”

‘Smoke and flames’

Eyewitnesses have described ‘a lot of smoke and flames’ coming from the building. However, as indicated in the statement, the blaze is limited to an isolated part of the school site.

It is not yet known if the school was fitted with automatic sprinklers. Further updates on this breaking news story is available from the local press in North Shields.

Nationwide Water Solutions Limited

Nationwide Water Solutions Limited supplies school, universities and a large number of other types of buildings with sprinkler tanks. It installs, maintains and inspects fire tanks across the UK. For free site visits, no obligation advice and costings, contact Nationwide Water Solutions.

For further information about Nationwide’s services, visit the website.

The summer holiday is a good time to outline the benefits of a sprinkler tank. August is a prime month for fires in schools. And in the UK, fires in educational buildings are on the rise. In London alone, they have risen by more than 30 per cent in the last year.

London Fire Brigade believes the time has come for sprinkler systems to be made compulsory in all schools. An automatic sprinkler system with a sprinkler tank offers advanced fire safety to high risk buildings.

Last year there were 90 fires in London schools. The 34 per cent rise followed incidents across the educational board. Fires were reported in:

Nurseries
Pre-schools
Primary schools
Secondary schools
Colleges

How a sprinkler tank can prevent major damage

According to London Fire Brigade’s latest Fire Facts report, the trend is set to continue. It is calling for sprinklers to be made compulsory in all new school builds. It also wants all schools to be retrofitted with sprinklers during major refurbishments. A staggering 184 schools ignored the advice when their buildings were refurbished last year.

Because many fires in schools happen during the summer holiday, they take longer to detect. This means buildings are already damaged before emergency services are called. When you consider the cost to the public purse, a sprinkler system with a sprinkler tank makes sense.

A sprinkler tank stores water specifically to fight fires. This water is available around the clock, 365 days a year. It reduces damage and gives anybody in a building more time to get out.

Strong words from London Fire Brigade

London Fire Commissioner Dany Cotton said: “The Government should do their homework and realise that millions of pounds are wasted every year repairing fire damage in London’s schools when sprinklers could have prevented the spread of fire.

“This is not just about saving money; when a school is closed it disrupts a child’s education and affects parents by closing breakfast and after-school clubs.”

Want to find out more about the benefit of a sprinkler tank? Talk to Nationwide Water Solutions, the UK’s leading independent supplier of sprinkler tanks. The company also provides maintenance and repair solutions.

Fire safety is in the news. And so too is the sprinkler tank. The stark reality of what fire can do has hit home following a number of major tragedies. Building owners are realising the importance of investing in good fire protection. Automatic sprinkler systems are becoming more and more commonplace. Not just in high-rise buildings, but in any type of building.

At Nationwide Water Solutions, we work with people who want to ensure enough water is available to feed sprinkler systems. Many people ask us: Why does my building need a sprinkler tank? There are lots of very good reasons why it makes sense to invest in a sprinkler tank. In today’s blog post, we are going to focus on two.

Peace of mind with a sprinkler tank

It’s true. A sprinkler tank offers building owners and residents peace of mind. That is because they know water is always available to fight a fire. And it is available in the quantities required. If you own a large building, ensuring you can get enough water to the point of a fire quickly can mean the difference between a lucky escape and disaster.

The sprinkler tank doesn’t just help to save lives. It saves money too. It helps to reduce the amount of damage caused by a fire. Many businesses invest in a sprinkler tank as part of their loss prevention strategy.

More time to evacuate

Getting the right amount of water to the heart of a fire quickly will stop it from spreading. When a fire is contained, people have more chance to safely evacuate a building. This is important if you own a building with multiple tenants or a warehouse with high value stock.

A fire tank should be used in very large premises, such as hospitals, care homes, factories and prisons.

Want to know more? For further information about the benefits of the sprinkler tank, get in touch. Visit our website.

With so much talk about fire safety and the need to increase standards, what does the future hold? While the Government has yet to respond to Dame Judith Hackitt’s recommendations, experts are in no doubt. They believe the time has come to force some building owners to invest in life-saving fire safety equipment that does more than just tick a few boxes.

At Nationwide Water Solutions Limited, we have followed the developments of the Hackitt review very closely. In the aftermath of the Grenfell Tower fire tragedy, it was obvious that more needed to be done to protect the vulnerable and those living in high-rise tower blocks. While the Government has made no decisions over future legislation, fire safety experts are clear.

What fire safety experts want

While fire safety experts have welcomed Dame Judith Hackitt’s recommendations, they fear only legislation will ensure measures set out in her report come to fruition. With the Government consumed with Brexit negotiations, time is not on safety’s side.

The general consensus among experts is that:

• Flammable exterior cladding, like that fitted to Grenfell Tower, should be completely banned
• All new buildings above 18 metres should be fitted with automatic sprinklers
• Existing buildings that house the vulnerable, including care homes, should be fitted with automatic sprinkler systems
• Fire doors and building maintenance need greater consideration

What the public want

The tragic loss of 72 innocent lives has left the public in no doubt. A vast majority now feel legislation is needed to force building owners to provide fire safety equipment fit for the 21st Century. As well as feeling the pain of those bereaved by the devastating fire, they do not want to see a repetition. Many people feel it is only a matter of time before more people die because of safety failings.

In the end, politicians answer to the people. Voters expect their voices to be heard and fire safety is an issue that is very unlikely to go away during the term of the current Government.

About Nationwide Water Solutions Limited

We supply and install sprinkler tanks across the UK. Our water storage solutions are custom designed for individual environments and ensure water is always on standby to fight a fire. An integral part of ‘smart’ sprinkler systems, our tanks offer peace of mind and improve safety. For further information visit our website.

Welsh technology company IQE, considered a market leader in the field of compound semi-conductors, is to invest £38 million in a new site. Plans for the ambitious project have been given recommended approval by local councillors. New sprinklers tanks will form part of the development and ensure the site has water on standby to fight a fire around the clock.

Other plans for the site include the provision of staff and visitor car and cycle parking, an external plant compound, refrigeration units, external alterations to an existing building and the creation of a new access route.

IQE CS Cluster Project

IQE wants to develop the site as Phase 2 of the CS Cluster Project. The overall aim is to deliver a hub of high-quality facilities for research, development, education and manufacturing. Newport City Council’s Planning committee had access to a feasibility report that said: “The applicant has stated that the precise number of jobs to be created by the occupation of the building is as yet unknown.

“The first phase of development is expected to deliver a total of 60 jobs although these numbers could increase significantly through these current proposals. The onward occupation of the building by IQE and future ambitions for an additional organisation to develop a hub within the building could result in up to 650 members of staff.

“The proposed development is considered to be acceptable and is in accordance with the Newport Local Development Plan. It is recommended that planning permission is granted with conditions.”

Fire safety

IQE has demonstrated its commitment to fire safety by including sprinkler tanks in its plans. As well as providing a ready source of water to fight fires, automatic sprinkler systems provide excellent loss prevention and some insurance benefits.

Want to know more about sprinkler tanks? Talk to Nationwide Water Solutions Limited, the UK’s leading independent supplier of fire tanks. It designs and installs compliant sprinkler tanks across the country. Nationwide Water Solutions Limited also maintains sprinkler tanks, carries out repairs and offers an independent inspection service.

Online automatic sprinkler system information can be confusing. If you are looking to invest in state-of-the-art fire safety equipment, an automatic sprinkler system is the gold standard. As well as supressing fires and stopping them from spreading, they give people time to evacuate a burning building. But, here at Nationwide Water Solutions Limited, we know that choosing the right system for your building is paramount. That is why our online automatic sprinkler system information introduces you to the benefits of sprinkler tanks.

Sprinkler tanks are an integral part of many automatic sprinkler systems. They store water for the specific purpose of fighting a fire. That water is ready, around the clock, to be delivered to the point of a fire the moment it is detected. If you understand the benefits of having your own firefighting system, you will know that a sprinkler tank aids loss prevention.

Online automatic sprinkler system news

Nationwide Water Solutions Limited supplies and installs custom-made sprinkler tanks. But that is not all we do. We also:

• Offer free site visits
• Maintain existing fire tanks
• Repair sprinkler tanks
• Reline sprinkler tanks
• Carry out annual inspections of fire tanks
• Use underwater camera equipment that means a sprinkler tank does not have to be drained during the inspection process

Professional online automatic sprinkler system information

We are experts in the supply, installation and maintenance of water storage tanks. Our sprinkler tanks come in a variety of forms. Each one is designed to perfectly suit its environment. This bespoke approach makes fire safety customised to the needs of each building

Sprinkler systems can reduce the cost of insurance policies, protect buildings, save lives and offer building owners and residents peace of mind.

Want to know more about Nationwide Water Solutions Limited? Visit our website for technical information and an overview of our products and services.

Reforms to building regulations could force more landlords to install sprinkler systems. Don’t want to wait for legislative changes to Building Regulations? Now is a great time to invest in sprinklers. You may be planning a retrofit project or designing a new build. Sourcing a low cost sprinkler tank will ensure your sprinklers have access to a ready supply of water.

Have you overlooked a sprinkler tank? It is not uncommon for those planning  fire safety improvements to leave sourcing a low cost sprinkler tank to the last minute. Use this guide to help you find the best sprinkler tank supplier and installer.

Low cost sprinkler tank companies

If you are looking for a low cost sprinkler tank company, be prepared to do some research. Set aside some time to search for UK-based companies on the internet. Here’s some things to bear in mind when researching low cost sprinkler tank suppliers:

• Make sure the sprinkler tank business has a physical address. Never do business with a website that cannot display a checkable location
• Ignore firms that make it hard to contact them
• Make a note of telephone numbers and email addresses

Once you have found two or three genuine sprinkler tank companies, give them a call. Discuss your needs and don’t be afraid to ask for advice. A good sprinkler tank company will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have.

Checklist for a low cost sprinkler tank

Now you have made contact, get down to the nitty gritty. Find out if the business can design a sprinkler tank to suit your environment. Ask about compliance with fire safety regulations. Find out about its installation service.

There are a few more things to consider too. Ask about:

• Ongoing sprinkler tank maintenance
• Annual sprinkler tank inspections
• Guarantees and warranties
• Customer testimonials

Buy a low cost sprinkler tank

Talk to Nationwide Water Solutions Limited. It is a UK based sprinkler tank supplier and installer. Its services cover the whole of the UK. To find out more, visit the company’s website.

If you are a regular visitor to our blog, you will know that we focus on fire safety issues. Over the past year, fire safety equipment has been in demand. Building owners are heeding the public’s concerns over safety. In today’s blog post, we will be looking at the four building types that need a fire tank.

If you are wondering what a fire tank is, we will explain. Also known as a sprinkler tank, it stores water solely to fight fires. Water is ready to fight a blaze in an emergency. The fire tank releases water to sprinkler heads. In the case of modern automatic sprinklers, only the area affected by fire will receive the water.

Here are the top four building types that need a fire tank…

1. High-rise tower blocks

While the installation of a sprinkler system is currently not compulsory, it soon could be. Recommendations following the catastrophic fire at Grenfell Tower include sprinklers for new buildings over 18 metres. It could be that existing buildings will have to be retro-fitted with sprinklers. If you own a high-rise building, don’t wait for the law to change. Think about installing a fire tank and automatic sprinkler system now.

2. Care homes

Elderly people are among the most vulnerable in society. Care homes could one day be forced to have sprinkler systems. That is because mobility problems make it difficult for older people to evacuate a building quickly. A fire tank supplies water to sprinklers, giving care homes more time to get residents out of a burning building.

3. New schools

There is growing consensus that all new schools should be fitted with sprinkler systems and fire tanks. This is to reduce the cost of arson and accidental fires on the public purse, and to improve the safety of children.

4. Warehousing

Loss prevention measures should include a fire tank and sprinklers.

For further information about fire tanks, visit Nationwide Water Solutions Limited.

Fire tanks save lives, property and other assets. Sprinkler tanks provide a ready supply of water to supress a fire. That is why they are an important feature of modern automatic sprinkler systems. At Nationwide Water Solutions Limited, we are committed to spreading the word about the vital benefits of fire tanks.

Every year in the UK, hundreds of millions of pounds worth of property and goods are destroyed by fire. Installing a sprinkler system significantly reduces losses. It gives people more time to evacuate a building. Hence, sprinkler tanks save lives.

Sprinklers in action

It’s easy to focus on negative news when it comes to fires. However, every day in the UK, sprinkler systems and fire tanks stop tragedies. Countless lives have been saved this year alone. All thanks to savvy investment in sprinkler systems.

Two arson attacks at the same Sainsbury’s store in Coventry were quickly kept under control by sprinklers last month. In March, a fire in the basement laundry room of an 11 floor Newcastle hotel was contained by sprinklers. And, as previously recorded in this blog, a chip pan fire at a London tower block was supressed in February.

Invest in fire tanks

If you want to protect your building, your people and your assets, invest in a sprinkler tank. A fire tank will not only be on standby to fight a fire 24 hour a day, seven days a week, it will give you peace of mind.

Nationwide Water Solutions Limited is based in Sheffield but operates throughout the UK. With free site visits and technical advice, this is the go-to company if you are thinking of investing in an automatic sprinkler system. Nationwide Water Solutions supplies, installs and maintains fire tanks.

Already invested in a sprinkler tank? Talk to Nationwide Water Solutions about its repair, maintenance and inspection service. For more information, visit the website. Alternatively, call 0345 5052540.

Automatic sprinkler systems are a must have if you own a high-risk building. Think of industrial premises, warehousing, high-rise apartment blocks, hospitals, schools and care homes. But installing an automatic sprinkler system is just one part of the job. Every component needs to be maintained to ensure it is ready to fight fire in an emergency. A sprinkler tank inspection should be a priority.

Without a ready supply of water, a sprinkler system cannot supress fires. That is why sprinkler tanks must be properly maintained. A pivotal part of that maintenance is regular inspections. Sprinkler tanks should be surveyed by an independent professional at least once a year.

What will a sprinkler tank inspection tell you?

Corrosion and leaks detected

A good sprinkler tank inspection company will use underwater camera equipment to check the condition of your tank. Importantly, it will be able to record any corrosion or minor leaks. Once these defects have been detected, they can be put right. Visit Nationwide Water Solutions Limited to book an inspection.

Solutions suggested

A thorough sprinkler tank inspection should be followed up with a comprehensive written report. Photographic evidence of any problems should also be supplied. If a tank is found to be damaged or displaying signs of wear, you may not have to replace it. New liners can significantly extend the life of a sprinkler tank and come with excellent guarantees. Find out more about sprinkler tank lining here.

Beyond repair?

If your sprinkler tank is significantly damaged, it must be replaced. Nationwide Water Solutions Limited supplies and installs a wide range of sprinkler tanks. With an in-house design team, it can install tanks of any shape or size. Find out more here.

Sprinkler tanks save lives. They supress fires, giving people more time to evacuate a building. They also significantly reduce damage and loss. That is why an automatic sprinkler system with a sprinkler tank should form part of your loss prevention strategy.

At a time when house builders are considering the benefits of installing sprinklers in new-builds, here is some interesting news… Firefighters have demonstrated how effective automatic sprinklers are at supressing fires. Using a mock-up of two living rooms, the demonstration featured a room without fire protection and a room fitted with sprinklers. The results were clear.

After deliberately setting the rooms on fire, witnesses watched and waited. They didn’t have to wait long to see the room without sprinklers go up in flames. In fact, it was completely engulfed in just five minutes. When you consider how long it could take the fire and rescue service to reach the scene of a blaze, it was a scary sight. In contrast, the room fitted with sprinklers just a few small flames were visible.

Sprinklers put to the test

This test was carried out in the US. It demonstrated how sprinklers only go off in the area affected by fire, meaning no water damage to unaffected areas.  In the UK, the latest Government statistics for fire brigade response times mean a building can be severely damaged before help arrives.

In England the average response time to primary fires last year was eight minutes and 44 seconds.  Overall, response times to fires have increased gradually over the past 20 years. However, between 2015/16 and 2016/17, response times to nearly all types of fires either decreased or remained the same.

The average response time to secondary fires in 2016/17 (which can broadly be thought of as smaller outdoor fires, not involving people or property) decreased by 5 seconds to 9 minutes 8 seconds.

Nationwide Water Solutions Limited

If you are designing a new tower block or large commercial or public building, talk to us. We supply, install and maintain sprinkler tanks. Our fire tanks ensure a ready supply of water is available around the clock to service automatic sprinkler systems. Find out more by visiting our website or getting in touch.

Sprinkler tanks are a hot topic. When it comes to fire safety, we are living in an era when nobody should be taking chances. That is why organisations across the UK are reviewing the measures they have in place. The death toll following the Grenfell Tower fire has made everyone – from politicians and campaigners to the public – call for sprinklers to be made compulsory in some buildings. If you manage social housing, a school, care home or hospital, sprinklers could be on your agenda.

Thinking of installing sprinklers during a refurbishment or in a new build? A sprinkler tank should form part of your plan. If you are not sure why you need a sprinkler tank, here are the top five benefits…

1. Sprinkler tanks deliver instant water

A sprinkler tank stores water just to fight fires. With a ready supply of water, buildings with sprinkler tanks benefit from a round the clock fire fighting capacity. This means, water can be delivered to the point of a fire and start supressing flames even in the middle of the night.

2. Sprinkler tanks help supress fires quickly

Because a sprinkler tank is primed to work the moment an automatic sprinkler system detects heat, firefighting can begin immediately. This often means a fire is under control before fire and rescue crews arrive on the scene. It is not uncommon for a fire to be completely out by the time firefighters arrive.

3. Sprinkler tanks can be fitted anywhere

At Nationwide Water Solutions Limited, we supply and install sprinkler tanks of all shapes and sizes. Each tank is specifically designed for its unique environment. Our in-house technical team can tell you more about this bespoke service.

4. Sprinkler tanks last for years

We supply sprinkler tanks that will serve your needs for years. Our tank installation service covers glass coated steel tanks, galvanised steel, epoxy coated steel, stainless steel and concrete tanks.

5. Sprinkler tanks can be repaired

If an inspection report suggests your sprinkler tank is showing signs of wear, we can help. While very old or badly damaged tanks will have to be replaced, it is often the case that others can be relined. Our liners come with a guarantee – so you know they are going to last.

Find out more about our sprinkler tanks and services at our website or get in touch for free, no obligation advice.

International research suggests rapid growth in the market for automatic sprinkler systems. Western Europe is pinpointed as a major growth area between now and 2026. This is good news for fire pump manufacturers and companies like ours, supplying sprinkler tanks. In urban areas, sprinkler tanks make sense. They provide a ready source of water in environments where lakes and reservoirs are scarce.

In the UK, the need for more sprinkler tanks is being fuelled by public demand. At Nationwide Water Solutions Limited, we are convinced this is as a result of the devastating loss of life in the Grenfell Tower fire. Safety is now a major consideration for those living in high-rise buildings and care facilities. With a boom in house building on the horizon, there has never been a better time to find out more about fire tanks.

Ready to meet demand for sprinkler tanks

At Nationwide Water Solutions Limited, we have developed our products and services to meet increased demand. Our business already covers the whole of the UK, so we are well placed to work on projects wherever they may be. We employ a team of dedicated installation experts as well as maintenance professionals. Our services also include sprinkler tank inspections.

We free site visits and technical advice, our business is meeting the needs of those new to automatic sprinkler systems. While existing customers understand the benefits of installing a sprinkler tank, people new to modern fire safety equipment naturally want to know more. We are always happy to provide free, no obligation advice. Just get in touch.

Installing sprinkler tanks

If you are working on a new-build or refurbishment project, talk to us. We can offer advice on sprinkler tanks – from location to shape and size. Our range of sprinkler tanks is extensive, and every project includes in-house design. Our website offers an overview of our services.

For further information, visit our website or call us on 0345 5052540.

With support up and down the country, Sprinkler Week 2018 has been a great success. Supported by fire and rescue services, businesses and individuals, the campaign has highlighted the many benefits of retro fitting sprinklers.

New regulations in the US often go on to be implemented by other countries, including the UK. That is why Nationwide Water Solutions Limited, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of sprinkler tank products and services, predicted sprinklers could one day be a feature of building and fire safety regulations here, across the pond. Are you worried sprinklers will have to be fitted in all homes? Read on…

Unfortunately, it took the loss of multiple lives and real outrage to make the British government look again at fire safety regulations. The impact of the Grenfell Tower fire tragedy is now being felt. As a Government review considers what changes may need to be made to make buildings safer, reports are coming out from independent bodies that suggest every residential property in the UK should be fitted with sprinklers.

Will it ever happen?

The cost of retrofitting sprinklers in every property in England means it is unlikely, in our opinion, that all homes will be compelled to have sprinklers. However, it is looking ever-more likely that certain properties will be required to have sprinklers within the next five years.

In our estimation, we believe the following types of property will have to be retrofitted with sprinklers:

• High-rise blocks of flats
• Care homes
• Some council and housing association properties accommodating vulnerable tenants, such as the elderly
• Some public buildings

Nationwide Water Solutions Limited believes the following types of new builds are likely to require sprinkler systems in the medium-term future:

• New builds over a set number of storeys
• All new schools
• New care homes

Why is this happening?

The tragic loss of life at Grenfell Tower has highlighted the need to bring fire safety and building regulations up to a higher standard. Failings at the London blaze illustrated how current precautions are not working. People are dying because modern fire protection equipment is not being installed.

What should I do now if I own homes?

If you represent a social housing provider, school, developer, are a private landlord or own a care home, plan ahead. You need to budget for a sprinkler system. If you want to know more about sprinkler tanks and the role they play in delivering water to sprinkler heads, talk to Nationwide Water Solutions. Worried that your sprinkler tank has not been inspected in the past 12 months? Book an inspection today.

Because sprinkler tanks play a vital role in life preservation and loss prevention, they must be maintained. However, a leak or corrosion does not necessarily mean a tank needs replacing. In fact, Nationwide Water Solutions offers a range of repair and refurbishment options. They protect the integrity of a sprinkler system and remove the cost and hassle associated with sprinkler tank replacement.

Sprinkler tanks can only be refurbished and repaired if they are deemed suitable following an inspection. Such inspections should be carried out at least annually by a trained professional. Full written reports with photographic evidence, illustrating the condition of a tank, should be supplied following an inspection.

Sprinkler tanks: case study

Nationwide Water Solutions was asked to inspect a sprinkler tank at Manchester plastics recycling company Axion Polymers Ltd. The aim was to assess the tank’s condition and to gauge if refurbishment was an option. Upon inspection, it was found that the existing tank had split in various locations around the water line. A number of perforations were also found around the base of the tank. As a result of the inspection findings, Nationwide Water Solutions recommended an internal refurbishment and strengthening of the tank around the water line.

A company spokesman explained: “We installed a new low level access hatch to provide safe access. We then erected mobile scaffolding so our engineers could drill and rivet fourteen galvanised steel strips around the sprinkler tanks top panels. This procedure strengthened the tank around the waterline. It also improved aesthetic appeal of the tank.

“We applied fibreglass matting and resin to the damaged areas inside the sprinkler tank. All the other perforations were then repaired. One the integrity of the tank was sound, we applied a three-coat epoxy system to the tank’s walls and made some minor repairs to roofing sheets.”

Extending the life of sprinkler tanks

By monitoring wear and tear on a sprinkler tank, remedial action can be taken to significantly extend its life. To find out more about repair and refurbishment of sprinkler tanks, visit Nationwide Water Solutions.

If you have invested in a sprinkler system with a fire tank, you should already know that sprinkler tanks require maintenance. If you are one of the many organisations installing sprinkler systems as a result of the Grenfell Tower fire tragedy, you may be asking: how long does a sprinkler tank last?

At Nationwide Solutions we design, install and maintain sprinkler tanks. Stainless steel sprinkler tanks are generally designed to last for 15 years. Some last for much longer and some, poorly maintained tanks may need replacing after just a few years. Our sprinkler tanks are built to last. However, we have seen reports of other tanks leaking within two years of installation. We also install  glass coated steel tanks, galvanised steel, epoxy coated steel and concrete tanks.

Why do some sprinkler tanks leak?

Poor maintenance is the biggest cause of leaks in stainless steel sprinkler tanks. Age and wear and tear are other reasons. We regularly see leaks in stainless steel tanks that have been caused by corrosion, particularly in rivets and screws. You can avoid the inconvenience of costly repair work and the loss of water by ensuring your sprinkler tank is inspected annually.

There is no need to drain a fire tank for an inspection. Talk to Nationwide Water Solutions Limited about digital underwater inspections.

Not all sprinkler tanks are the same

Before having a stainless steel sprinkler tank installed, consider the grade of stainless steel you require. Grades are denoted by numbers. Talk to your supplier about the grade you require and how it should be maintained. Because sprinkler tanks play a crucial role in fire safety, you should ensure that you have weekly, monthly and annual maintenance checks in place.

Nationwide Water Solutions Limited is the UK’s leading independent supplier of sprinkler tanks. It provides a comprehensive service to ensure fire tanks are in premium condition and primed to deliver life-saving water in any emergency.

For further information, click here.

All new schools will have sprinkler systems fitted as standard – if Labour wins the next general election. Just one in three new or refurbished schools, which have been funded by central government, have had sprinklers fitted since 2010. The statistics prompted Labour officials to tell The Independent newspaper that it will make sprinkler systems for schools a priority.

Labour has pledged to close a loophole in regulations that mean most schools in England do not fit sprinklers. Since 2010, only 28 per cent of 260 schools built under the Department for Education’s Priority School Building Programme have been chosen to benefit from sprinkler systems. It is not known how many free schools have sprinklers.

‘Playing with children’s lives’

In Scotland and Wales sprinkler systems are mandatory in schools. Fire chiefs last year warned that the government is “playing with children’s lives”.

Labour has called for all new and refurbished schools to have sprinklers. Unions are also calling for sprinklers. They have pointed to plans to rebuild a school in West Sussex without sprinklers – even though it was gutted by fire two years ago.

£14 billion pledge

Shadow Education Secretary, Angela Rayner said in an interview with The Independent that a Labour government would provide £14bn to bring schools up to a “good standard”.

She said: “Within that, we will put money aside to make sure schools are safe, and to remove asbestos and flammable cladding and fit lifesaving sprinklers. We also want to close the loopholes that let developers get away with anything less in new schools.

“Parents want a lot of things for their kids, but above all they want them to be safe. Nothing is more important than that.”

Government response

A Department for Education spokesperson said: “Schools have a range of fire protection measures and new schools undergo an additional check while being designed. Where sprinklers are deemed necessary to keep children safe, they must be installed.

“Since the Grenfell tragedy we have contacted all bodies responsible for safety in schools and instructed them to carry out checks to identify buildings that may require further investigation.”

Water tanks – sprinkler systems for schools

For a range of sprinkler tank options, to ensure a constant supply of water in the event of a fire, visit Nationwide Water Solutions Limited.

As the thaw sets in and floods threaten more and more homes and businesses, people responsible for sprinkler tanks are being urged to ensure they are properly maintained. Leaks can occur in corroded tanks – especially those which have not been inspected recently. With hundreds of homeowners and organisations counting the cost of water damage caused by extreme weather, now is the perfect time to remind businesses and local authorities to check sprinkler tanks.

Mick Brightmore, of Nationwide Water Solutions Limited, said: “Sprinkler tanks rarely leak as a result of bad weather. However, they can cause problems if they are not properly maintained. That is why we are reminding those with sprinkler systems to get their fire tanks checked.”

Damaged sprinkler tanks

Mr Brightmore said, while water damage is fresh in people’s minds, it is a good idea to talk about the benefits of yearly inspections. He pointed out that damaged sprinkler tanks can immobilise an automatic sprinkler system and risk lives and property.

“It is not worth leaving a sprinkler tank to deteriorate. The cost of repairing a tank is far less than replacing one. By ensuring your tank is regularly inspected, it can be maintained to a high standard and provide peace of mind for many years. The risks involved with neglecting a sprinkler tank are simply not worth it.”

Book a sprinkler tank inspection

Give yourself peace of mind by booking a sprinkler tank inspection with Nationwide Water Solutions Limited. They carry out inspections anywhere in the UK and provide a full written report backed up with photographic evidence. What’s more, you won’t have to drain your tank for the inspection to take place because Nationwide uses underwater camera equipment.

Find out more about Nationwide Water Solutions’ comprehensive range of sprinkler tank services by clicking the link here.

As 2017 gives way to 2018, many people will be turning their attentions to fresh projects and new challenges. But we would like to get the New Year off to an educational, as well as fun, start – by testing your sprinkler tank knowledge. If you work for a business, public authority, care provider or in social housing, fire safety should be a top priority. To ensure you and your staff are fully aware of sprinkler tank essentials, print off this quiz and put everyone to the test.

Knowing the right information at the right time can not only save money, it can save lives. That is why insurers rely on clients with sprinkler systems to keep them properly maintained.

Are you ready to test your Sprinkler Tank Knowledge?

Here we go…

1. How often should a sprinkler tank be inspected by a qualified professional?

2. Should a sprinkler tank be drained for an inspection?

3. What should accompany a written inspection report?

4. What refurbishment method can be used to repair a damaged sprinkler tank?

5. A sprinkler tank should be replaced when?

6. Can sprinkler tank linings extend the life of a tank?

7. Can you name the UK’s leading independent sprinkler tank specialist?

8. What should you do if you suspect a sprinkler tank has a leak?

9. Can sprinkler tanks be designed and made to fit a specific space?

10. Whose company blog did you find this quiz on?

This quiz was brought to you by Nationwide Water Solutions Limited, the UK’s leading independent sprinkler tank specialist. Offering a full range of sprinkler tank services, Nationwide Water Solutions should be your first port of call for quality full ROV underwater tank inspections, repairs, relining and replacement. For further information about the company and its specialist services, which are all delivered by fully trained professionals, click here.

A sprinkler system could have stopped a fire that destroyed 1,400 vehicles at a multi-storey car park, a fire chief has told The Times newspaper.

The New Year’s Eve fire in Liverpool started in a parked Land Rover before rapidly spreading. It has emerged that rules exempting multi-storey car parks from some fire safety regulations, including the need for sprinklers, are half a century old.

Dan Stephens, the chief fire officer of Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, has claimed his firefighters only had access to enough water to delay the spread of the blaze.

Sprinklers would have suppressed multi-storey car park fire

He told The Times: “Had the car park had sprinklers that would certainly have acted to suppress the fire. It may well even have extinguished the fire.”

“Had the car park had sprinklers that would certainly have given us a far better chance to get sufficient water on the fire to put that out. But beyond a certain point . . . the heat release rate from vehicles is such that we just didn’t have access to the water to put it out.”

Huge bill for insurers

An insurance industry expert said the fire is expected to prompt claims totalling more than £2 million. The figure could even rise above £10 million.

A spokeswoman for the Association of British Insurers said: “Insurance is there to cover the costs of just this type of incident, and in 2016 motor insurers paid out more than £33 million every single day.”

Council may consider sprinklers for multi-storey car parks

The multi-storey car park is owned by the local authority and was built in 2008.

A council spokesman said: “We will listen, we’ll take advice from the chief fire officer, we’ll look at what we do with this car park and what we do with our car parks if the advice is that we should have sprinkler systems. We won’t bury our heads in the sand. I have heard conflicting advice.”

For information about the installation and maintenance of sprinkler tanks, visit Nationwide Water Solution Limited.

The best water tanks for sprinkler systems are ones designed for your specific needs, according to industry experts. Nationwide Water Solutions Limited, one of the UK’s leading independent suppliers and installers of fire tanks, says its order books comprise requests for the full range of sprinkler tanks.

A spokesman said: “Because we are experienced installers, we are trusted by our customers to recommend the best water tanks for their sprinkler systems. We supply and install all types of fire tanks, from one-piece GRP water tanks to the very largest, sectional sprinkler tanks. Of course, they come in a range of materials – from stainless steel to concrete.”

Buy the best water tanks for sprinkler systems

The company supplies and installs water tanks for the full range of sprinkler systems. Nationwide Water Solutions also offers a comprehensive range of maintenance and repair services. It provides a trusted ROV underwater inspection service, which insurers like because there is no need to drain a sprinkler tank during the process.

The spokesman said: “The cornerstone of our work is quality. All our installation team members are fully trained. Delivering a professional, competent service is critical where fire safety is concerned.”

Fire tanks for all sectors

As well as supplying water tanks for sprinkler systems in public buildings, Nationwide Water Solutions supplies and installs fire tanks in high-rise buildings, warehousing, factories, health care facilities, educational establishments and commercial premises. Its industrial projects have included work at numerous factories throughout the country.

With fire safety a priority for many public and private sector organisations in 2018, Nationwide Water Solutions Limited is ready to answer any questions about water tanks. It provides free on-site surveys. For further information contact Nationwide Water Solutions here.

Alternatively, if you would like to speak to a member of the technical team, call 0345 5052540 or email info@watertankrefurbishment.com

If you are one of the many organisations planning to install a sprinkler system this year, have you considered who will supply and install a sprinkler tank? You can find the best UK sprinkler tank supplier from a variety of sources. Have you checked out Nationwide Water Solutions Limited? As its name suggests, this established sprinkler tank specialist provides a service that covers the whole of the country.

Those who should be looking to review fire suppression equipment in 2018 include:

• Social housing providers
• Commercial enterprises who have warehousing
• Health and care providers
• Education facilities
• Owners of properties that store high-value goods
• Museums, art galleries and antique centres

Finding a sprinkler tank supplier matters

Having a ready supply of water is important if a fire breaks out. A sprinkler tank ensures water is there, on standby, and primed to be pumped to a particular part of a building when sensors in sprinklers detect heat. This instant delivery of a fire suppressant can stop a blaze before it spreads. A sprinkler tank saves lives and reduces costs associated with damage.

Fire brigades are increasingly highlighting cases where sprinklers could have stopped a serious incident before it escalated. Therefore, it pays to stay on top of fire safety advice. There are particular buildings that are now recommended to have sprinkler systems installed.

Does your building need a sprinkler system?

If you own a high-rise building, you need a sprinkler system – especially if the property is used for housing or accommodates a large number of workers. Big retail and commercial premises should also invest in sprinklers. And those who own or manage health or care facilities should take care to ensure systems are in place that give the elderly or frail a chance to escape a fire.

If you are worried that your current fire safety measures could be out of date, get a professional to carry out an expert review. There is nothing better than knowing you have taken all the right precautions. Peace of mind is worth more than money in hindsight.

For further information about Nationwide Water Solutions’ sprinkler tank supply and installation services, click here.

Businesses in Bristol are among the first in the UK to install sprinklers outside their premises. The systems are being used to keep vandals, vagrants and thieves at bay. Although extremely effective in combating anti social behaviour, business owners using the systems have come in for criticism.

A tanning salon made the national news after successfully using sprinklers to stop homeless people sleeping in its doorway. While the system does dispense water, the delivery system is intentionally slow – merely dripping water on anyone in its path.

Rough sleepers targeted by sprinklers

The Bristol Post reports the systems are being used to ward off rough sleepers. While the owner of the tanning salon said the system was effective in combating anti social behaviour associated with rough sleepers, the city’s Help Bristol’s Homeless is less than impressed. It has described it as “draconian”.

A tanning salon spokesperson said the system was not installed to deprive homeless people of a place to sleep – just deter anti-social behaviour. They pointed out all the salon’s problems stopped after the system was installed.

Michael Brightmore is CEO of Nationwide Water Solutions Limited. It supplies and installs sprinkler tanks across the UK. He said: “This use of sprinkler systems is relatively new in the UK. However, if it proves effective, it could become much more commonplace.”

He cited the use of sprinkler systems to protect public buildings and premises where high value goods are stored, or in areas that are prone to anti-social behaviour.

Nationwide Water Solutions

Nationwide Water Solutions provides sprinkler tanks for systems in commercial, industrial and high-rise buildings. It works in both the private and public sector across the UK. Nationwide Water Solutions also carries out underwater sprinkler tank inspections using ROV cameras, as well as repair and maintenance services.

For further information about Nationwide Water Solutions services, click here.

Fire safety is a key consideration for supermarket warehousing. That is why major distribution centres in the UK invest in modern sprinkler systems. Accidents can and do happen. Distribution centres store huge quantities of food, chemicals and other items. That is why they are on the front line of loss prevention.

Sprinkler systems keep insurers happy. They also help avoid unforeseen problems. Some companies hit by warehouse fires have later seen shares take a dip.

Sprinkler Tanks for Distribution Centre

Lidl, for example, takes a proactive approach to fire safety in supermarket warehousing. It was last week a step closer to developing a major new warehouse and link road in Ireland. The plan includes two sprinkler tanks, a pump house and an electricity substation.

If the scheme goes ahead, a sprinkler system is part of the plan. It will protect a gross floor area of 57,611sqm. The space comprises warehousing and a two-storey office wing.

Loss Prevention for Supermarket Warehousing

A fire can have a devastating impact on a business. Nationwide Water Solutions is the UK’s leading sprinkler tank specialist. It says: “We always tell businesses to take a proactive approach to fire safety. It should be a top to bottom process, with everyone in an organisation aware of the dangers of fire.

“We tell businesses to seek advice, especially if a building is to undergo alterations. A fire safety review should be undertaken at least once a year.

“Regular inspection of sprinkler tanks is paramount. So too is maintenance. Poor management of a sprinkler system can see it fail in an emergency.”

Warehouse Sprinkler Tank Maintenance

Warehouse fire prevention should be a top priority. Sprinkler systems for supermarket chains significantly reduce risks and losses. Distribution and order fulfillment centres contain millions of pounds worth of goods. They also employ tens of thousands of workers in the UK. The cost of a fire at a single one could easily run into eight figures.

When was your sprinkler tank last inspected? Find out about our ROV camera inspections.

To find out about our sprinkler tank refurbishment services, click here.

Insurance policies and lives depend on sprinkler systems working in an emergency. The fact is that a sprinkler system can fail. This is almost always due to human error. Poor sprinkler tank maintenance is often the cause of failures. This illustrates why every sprinkler tank should looked after by professionals.

More than half of sprinkler system failures happen when equipment is shut off. Experts say this is often during the construction phase of a building. But it can happen during routine inspections or maintenance work.

ROV Underwater Equipment

A qualified professional will know how to avoid such failures. Nationwide Water Solutions is the UK’s leading independent sprinkler tank specialist. It says ROV underwater camera equipment is vital for all sprinkler tank survey work.

“It protects the integrity of a sprinkler system during the inspection,” said a spokesman. “There is no need to drain the sprinkler tank or shut off any part of the system.”

Damaged Sprinkler System Components

Around 17 per cent of sprinkler system failures happen as a result of manual intervention. A further 7 per cent of sprinkler system failures are the result of damaged components.

Nationwide Water Solutions says routine testing by a professional will identify sprinkler tank problems. Recommendations will always follow any survey. They will include suggestions to replacement or repair damaged components where necessary.

High priority problems must be corrected as soon as possible.

Don’t Leave Sprinkler Tank Maintenance to Chance

Do you worry about the integrity of your sprinkler system? When was the sprinkler tank last inspected? Call the experts for a full underwater survey here.

Does your sprinkler tank need repairing or relining? Find out about Nationwide Water Solution’s refurbishment options here.

Further Reading

Find out more about ROV sprinkler tank inspections and sprinkler tank maintenance here. Contact Nationwide Solutions for more in-depth information.

High-rise council flats in Manchester are set to be be fitted with sprinkler systems. The move, which comes in the wake of the Grenfell Tower fire tragedy, is expected to be approved by the council’s executive committee. In total, 36 council-owned blocks of flats will benefit from the investment.

Additional fire risk assessments have been carried out on the flats following the deaths of 71 people in London six months ago. Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) has visited every single high-rise block in the city to assess risks and pass on its advice.

Sprinkler systems on the cards for private buildings?

Owners of 216 privately owned high-rise buildings in Manchester have received letters from the council, urging them to identify potential hazards posed by building materials. They have been asked to provide the council with information about cladding and other products used in construction. Responses will be added to a database that will help the government gain an overall picture for the UK.

Work has already started at 12 private buildings that feature aluminium composite material (ACM) cladding. Procedures are being drawn up to establish how the council and fire service will deal with landlords who fail to respond or take action. In particular, they are paying careful attention to enforcement procedures.

Safety and responsibility under review

Councillor Bernard Priest is deputy leader of Manchester City Council. He told the Manchester Evening News: “We need to get to a position where every person who lives in a high-rise block feels safe in their homes, understands fire procedures for the building, and building owners know what their responsibilities are.”

He added that a review into enforcement powers of councils and the fire service is vital to ensure the legislation is in place to fully protect residents.

Buy tanks for sprinkler systems

For expert advice and information about sprinkler tanks, contact the UK’s leading independent expert Nationwide Water Solutions.