Tower Blocks CPVC Fire Protection

High-rise residential buildings require fire protection to be planned around building height, occupancy, water supply and the practicalities of installation. A high rise sprinkler system forms part of the wider fire strategy, helping to control or suppress a fire at an early stage when a sprinkler operates.

BlazeMaster® CPVC is used for approved residential and light-hazard fire sprinkler applications, including high-rise apartment blocks. Its lightweight construction, corrosion resistance and solvent-cement joining process can be useful where pipework must be routed through flats, corridors, risers and restricted ceiling spaces.

Advantages of using CPVC in High Rise Buildings

It is important that these densely populated structures, with often busy communal areas receive adequate protection professionals. BlazeMaster CPVC is a proven success in tower block accommodation, thanks to its many advantages:

Over steel:

Fits into tighter spaces
Faster and easier installation
Quieter
Better flow rates (Hazen-Williams C Factor of 150 versus 120 for steel)
Limits environmental impact
84% lighter than steel for installation savings
Resists corrosion

Over Polypropylene Random (PPR):

No Hot Works permit required
No need for power tools to install, reducing injury risk
Comprehensive installation training/free consulting
UL listed for all light hazard occupancies

Over generic CPVC:

Stronger and more durable, as verified by third-party testing
Comprehensive FBC System Compatible Program
Online training
Unmatched industry support

Planning High-Rise Fire Protection

High rise fire protection starts with the correct system design for the building and its use. Designers need to establish the applicable standard, occupancy classification, available water supply and hydraulic demand, together with the arrangement of risers, valves, sprinkler heads and pipe routes.

Building height can also affect pressure management and system zoning. Sprinkler layouts therefore need to be coordinated with mechanical and electrical services, structural elements, compartmentation and ceiling construction. Early coordination can reduce clashes and changes during installation.

For BlazeMaster CPVC pipework, hydraulic calculations use a Hazen-Williams C factor of 150. Pipe and fittings must be specified and installed within the conditions of their current product listings and the applicable sprinkler standard.

Tower Block Fire Safety: Regulations and Standards

Requirements differ by country and building type. In England, Approved Document B states that new blocks of flats with a top storey more than 11 metres above ground level should be fitted with a sprinkler system. Requirements elsewhere in the UK and Europe differ, so the relevant regulations and fire strategy should be confirmed for each project.

For domestic and residential sprinkler systems in the UK, BS 9251:2021 provides design, installation and maintenance guidance. BS EN 12845 applies in other building and hazard contexts. BlazeMaster CPVC is also approved for relevant applications under LPS 1260. The design standard, hazard classification and product listing should be considered together.

Specifying BlazeMaster® CPVC for High-Rise Fire Protection

Specification should begin with the building use, applicable sprinkler standard, hazard classification, water supply and current product listing. The Orange Book brings together BlazeMaster CPVC guidance on BS 9251, BS EN 12845, LPCB requirements, pipe and fittings and wider specification considerations.

Retrofit Fire Sprinkler Systems in Existing Tower Blocks

Retrofitting a tower block introduces practical challenges around existing services, ceiling voids, resident access, riser locations and the building fabric. In occupied buildings, programmes also need to account for resident communication, access to individual flats and reinstatement after work is completed.

BlazeMaster CPVC pipe is lightweight, can be cut on site and is joined using solvent cement. Pipe jointing does not require welding or threading, which can reduce noise, heavy equipment and hot-work activity during the pipework stage.

At Callow Mount in Sheffield, BlazeMaster CPVC was installed across 47 flats. Published project information records an average installation time of approximately one day per flat, without residents having to relocate.

New-Build High-Rise Sprinkler Systems

In new-build tower blocks, early sprinkler coordination can simplify routing and help integrate pipework with ceilings, service zones and other building systems before fit-out.

At Chapel Wharf in Manchester, BlazeMaster CPVC was used for the sprinkler installation across a 955-apartment development comprising four towers between 13 and 22 storeys. The project provides an example of CPVC pipework being incorporated into a large, multi-block high-rise residential development.

Tower Block Success Stories

As the most specified nonmetallic fire protection system in the world, BlazeMaster CPVC’s proven track record speaks for itself.

BlazeMaster® Offers Protection For Manchester's New Chapel Wharf Project

BlazeMaster® Fire Protection System adds safety and value to Chapel Wharf, a new residential development in the heart of Manchester.

BlazeMaster® Brings Peace of Mind to Barton Village Residents

Barton Village required a quick, clean fire protection system installation handled in an expedient manner. Specifically, it wanted to focus on installing the best product with little disruption to tenants.

Learn more

Safety in High Rise Blocks a High Priority

As of the 26th November 2020, new measures including the mandatory installation of fire sprinkler systems and consistent wayfinding signage in all new high-rise blocks of flats over 11 metres tall will be in effect.