Do Modular Homes have Sprinkler Systems?
Expect more and more modular homes to be fitted with fire sprinkler systems in the future. It is no secret that modular construction has been embraced as a key answer to the challenging housing issue in the UK.
As modular construction continues to evolve and gain popularity, it is important that fire safety does not take a back seat. Fortunately, fire safety materials have evolved just as much.
Today, residential fire sprinklers are mandatory in a growing list of categories of build:
- Wales - Fire suppression is mandatory in all new and converted housing
- Scotland - All newly built apartments, new shared multi-family buildings and all new social housing must be protected with fire sprinkler systems
- England - Most mid and high rise dwellings over 11 metres tall are required by law to fit both sprinklers and wayfinding signage
The message is clear; more and more new housing requires fire sprinklers. So if more new housing is needed and if more of these new builds require sprinklers, the next phase in modular residential construction and fire safety is a partnership waiting to happen.
Should Modular Homes Have Sprinkler Systems?
Here’s why fire sprinkler technology integrates well into not only modular building, but modular living.
Sprinklers activate only when and where they need to. The common misconception is that all sprinkler heads activate, even when fire breaks out in one isolated area. This is simply not the case and any part of the property that is not under threat of fire will not be affected by water.
Sprinklers cause less water damage. The amount of water discharged by a sprinkler head (average of 60 litres) is a small fraction of that which is used by firefighters at the scene of a residential fire (an average of 600 litres.) Furthermore, the dispersion of water is highly targeted, hitting the area that needs water the most, controlling the spread and leaving other rooms in the residence free from damage.
Sprinklers offer more freedom to build. It’s often forgotten that by simply having a fire sprinkler system in place, there is reduced dependency on a number of limiting factors for architects. Compliance around escape access is different, as well as the requirement for additional fire escapes.
Why BlazeMaster® CPVC for Modular Homes?
Speed of build - Modular construction is favoured for its efficiency. Quality controlled, automated, routine production of parts allows for faster home building. BlazeMaster CPVC installs quickly without heat or electricity, integrating seamlessly with housing asset production.
Flexibility - BlazeMaster CPVC makes modular fire sprinkler installation possible. Piping sections can integrate into panels and volumetric pods, which can be joined up and tested on site later.
Adaptable - BlazeMaster CPVC allows for easy swapping out of sections for home upgrades; for example, adding new floors or adding loft conversions. Pipes can be cut and solvent cemented together to form a permanent bond, without compromising on performance.
Sustainability - Offsite modular construction is expected to be one of the instrumental factors in achieving net zero in the new construction industry. In its manufacturing and installation, BlazeMaster CPVC has a significantly smaller environmental impact than steel.
Safer Modular Design Starts Now
Achieving excellence in new residential construction is going to be about building homes that represent communities well in decades to come, long after the UK has reached net zero deadlines and long after the inevitable mandatory inclusion of fire sprinkler systems in all new buildings.
Prepare for the future of modular construction and fire safety today, with the definitive reference guide for fire sprinkler design, The Orange Book. Download your copy today.