How proactive collaboration and life-saving fire suppression technology protected high-risk residents from disaster.
During a routine Safe & Well check in 2019, Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service and East Midlands Housing identified two residents at heightened fire risk due to smoking and limited mobility, factors that severely limited their ability to evacuate in an emergency.
In response, the UltraGuard personal protection system was installed to provide rapid, automatic fire suppression in the most vulnerable areas of the home.
That foresight proved critical when, in the early hours of April 5, 2021, a discarded cigarette sparked a fire inside the property. The UltraGuard system activated immediately, releasing a fine water mist that extinguished the flames before they could spread.
Thanks to this fast response, both residents were unharmed, the property was preserved, and the importance of targeted fire safety solutions for at-risk individuals was powerfully reinforced.
In October 2019, Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service, in collaboration
with East Midlands Housing, conducted a Safe & Well check at a
property on Milton Street, Long Eaton. During this check, it was
determined that the two occupants of the home were at a
significantly higher risk of fire due to their smoking habits and limited
mobility. The combination of these factors made it unlikely that they
would be able to evacuate quickly in the event of a fire. To mitigate
this risk and ensure the safety of the residents, the UltraGuard
personal protection system from Surefire was installed. The primary
objective was to provide a rapid fire suppression mechanism that
could activate automatically, protecting the occupants and
preventing the fire from spreading.
The UltraGuard system, known for its advanced fire suppression
capabilities, was installed as a self-contained portable misting unit in
the residents’ home. Unlike traditional sprinkler systems that cover an
entire building, the UltraGuard is designed to protect specific rooms,
making it ideal for the living areas where the occupants spent most of
their time. The system works by detecting smoke or heat and
releasing a fine mist of water to cool the smoke and suppress the fire,
preventing it from spreading further. Additionally, it is linked to
emergency services, ensuring that firefighters are alerted and
dispatched immediately upon activation.
On April 5, 2021, at 02:02 hours, the UltraGuard system activated when
a discarded cigarette ignited a fire in the property. The misting unit
quickly suppressed the flames, extinguishing the fire before it could
cause significant damage or harm to the occupants. This rapid
response was crucial in protecting the two residents, who, due to their
limited mobility, might not have been able to escape the building
unaided.
The successful activation of the UltraGuard system on April 5, 2021,
demonstrated its effectiveness in protecting the high-risk occupants
of the Long Eaton property. The timely suppression of the fire ensured
that the two residents were safeguarded from potential harm,
allowing them to remain in their home without severe property
damage. This incident highlighted the critical role of the UltraGuard
system in fire prevention and occupant protection.
The collaboration between Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service, East
Midlands Housing, and Surefire proved instrumental in enhancing fire
safety for vulnerable individuals. The proactive installation of the
UltraGuard system following a Safe & Well check underscored the
importance of identifying and addressing specific risks associated
with smoking and limited mobility. This initiative not only protected
the occupants but also reinforced the value of targeted fire safety
measures in preventing potentially catastrophic outcomes.
We believe in being judged by our results – here are just some of the things our clients say about working with us. From fire safety and security to electrical and data solutions, our trusted services help UK businesses stay protected, connected, and compliant.
EA-RS are an excellent contractor with a very good level of service delivery, and always work well under pressure, especially when tight deadlines need to be met. I wouldn’t hesitate in employing them for any future contracts.
EA-RS worked very closely with my team throughout, always striving to exceed expectations, with consistently high levels of workmanship and fire stopping throughout, with a high volume of projects being managed simultaneously and efficiently.
EA-RS have a depth of expertise from a technical point of view. They provide detailed support in relation to Health Technical Memorandum (HTM) compliance. The other companies we’ve used before don’t have the same level of expertise.
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