Automist Successfully Enables Open Plan Basement Apartment

Automist enabling an open plan basement apartment.

Project Overview:

• Client: West Midlands property development company
• Location: Open plan basement apartment in Birmingham
• Scope: Installation of an Automist fire suppression system to protect the open plan escape route from inner rooms within the refurbished basement apartment.

Introduction:

Fire safety is a paramount concern for property developers, especially in open plan  apartments where escape routes can be limited. In a bid to ensure the highest level of fire safety for their living space, a West Midlands property development company installed Automist for fire safety and building control compliance. This case study focuses on the implementation of the Automist system to safeguard the escape route from inner rooms within the Basement apartment.

Challenges:

• Limited Escape Routes: The basement apartment had inner rooms with limited direct access to the exterior, posing challenges in the event of a fire emergency.
• Preserving Interior Aesthetics: The property developer wanted a fire suppression system that effectively protected the escape route without compromising the interior design and aesthetics of the refurbished space.
• Cost-Effective Solution: As a developer, cost-effectiveness was an essential consideration when choosing a fire suppression system.

Solution:

The solution chosen was the installation of an Automist fire suppression system. Automist is known for its efficiency in suppressing fires with minimal water usage, making it a very appealing fire safety solution for a wide range or renovation and new build projects.

Installation Process:

• Site Assessment: A thorough assessment of the basement apartment was conducted to identify the best locations for Automist nozzles and water supply connections, with a focus on the escape route from inner rooms.
• Customised Design: A customised Automist system design was created to ensure complete coverage of the escape route while taking into account the apartment’s unique layout and aesthetic considerations.
• Installation: Fire Mist installed the Automist system, placing nozzles strategically to maximise fire suppression performance while blending seamlessly with the apartment’s interior.

Results:

The installation of the Automist fire suppression system yielded several positive outcomes:

• Enhanced Fire Safety: The Automist system provided an added layer of safety by effectively suppressing fires throughout the open plan escape route, thus increasing the chances of safe evacuation.
• Aesthetically Pleasing: The discreet design of the Automist system ensured that it integrated seamlessly with the apartment’s interior, preserving the overall aesthetics of the space.
• Cost-Effective: Automist proved to be a cost-effective solution compared to other fire suppression systems, making it an ideal choice for the property developer.

Conclusion:

The installation of the Automist fire suppression system in this refurbished basement apartment exemplifies a proactive approach to home safety and building regulations compliance. By choosing an innovative and efficient fire suppression solution, the property developer successfully protected the escape route from inner rooms while maintaining the apartment’s interior aesthetics. By investing in Automist fire suppression, this renovation achieved its full open plan potential without compromising fire safety or the means of escape from the basement apartment.

How does the Automist commissioning process differ from traditional fire suppression systems?

• Automist fire suppression has multiple characteristics that differ dramatically from traditional fire sprinklers and ceiling mounted misting systems.
• Electronic activation: Upon detection of smoke, Automist immediately carries out a room scan to build a thermal picture of the compartment or room and detect the exact location of a fire.
• Thermal detection: Automist will not activate unless it detects the unique heat signature of a fire. Cooking or burning toast will not trigger a full activation of the system.
• Dry pipe: The network of Automist hoses within a property remain dry until a full system activation occurs. This reduces the risk of legionella and leaks.
• Electronic control of water: Unlike any other fire suppression system, Automist has full control of the water it uses when activated. Traditional mechanical systems are not able to limit the number of nozzles that could potentially activate in a fire scenario. This introduces the risk of the water supply being overwhelmed when activation occurs.
• Full verification of water mist nozzles: The commissioning of the Automist system involves a full run test to verify the performance of every system nozzle and high pressure pump. No other fire suppression system is able to verify nozzle performance without rendering the mist nozzle spent and unable to be reused.