Fire Suppression System for University

A reliable fire suppression system for university buildings is essential for protecting students, staff, visitors and valuable facilities and resources.

From lecture theatres to libraries, labs, storage areas and accommodation, there are numerous places that can cause different fire hazards and require tailored fire protection.

At Armstrong Priestley, we design, install and maintain advanced fire suppression systems that are tailored to a wide range of environments and fire risks.

Click here or call 0113 394 4040 for more information about our range of systems from our engineers who have been involved with fire safety for over 4 decades!

Why universities need fire suppression systems

Large campuses present a significant fire risk due to high occupancy, electrical equipment, laboratories, kitchens and flammable materials. Without effective fire protection, flames and smoke can spread quickly, placing building occupants at risk and causing costly damage. Damage that could prove irreparable, especially when it comes to books, manuscripts, and other similar texts.

As important as the safety provided by a properly installed fire suppression system is, it is also legally necessary. Having a professionally designed suppression system that works alongside fire alarm systems, smoke detectors, emergency lighting and other fire safety systems to detect and control a fire at the earliest opportunity will be one of the best investments any facility can make, especially a university!

Two main types of fire suppression systems

There are two main types of fire suppression systems commonly used within university buildings.

Sprinkler systems

Fire sprinkler systems are ideal for many teaching buildings, accommodation blocks and communal spaces. These sprinkler systems activate when exposed to heat, helping control flames before they spread throughout the building. They are the most common systems in the UK.

Gas suppression systems

For areas containing sensitive equipment such as data centres, research facilities or specialist laboratories, gas suppression systems provide effective fire suppression without the water damage associated with sprinklers. They release inert gases, such as IG55 or IG541, carbon dioxide, or chemical gases that do not leave a residue.

Gas systems tend to be more expensive to install and maintain, but are worth the investment if you are looking to suppress fires without damaging high-value assets.

A complete fire protection strategy

At Armstrong Priestley, we cannot stress enough the importance of having a fully functioning and effective fire safety plan. A fire suppression system is only one aspect of it.

Universities should also have:

A suitable fire alarm system
Clearly positioned fire extinguisher stations and equipment
Regular fire drills
Clear evacuation procedures
Ongoing fire safety training and staff training
Routine system monitoring

Having a combination of all of these measures creates effective fire prevention and helps protect everyone on campus. When dealing with such vast buildings and premises, it is vital to ensure everything is functioning in tandem to provide the best possible chance of safety for all involved.

Fire risk assessments and compliance

In addition to having the firefighting systems in place, it is vital to conduct a thorough fire risk assessment to identify potential fire hazards and risks, and determine the most suitable fire protection systems for your premises.

For full compliance, it is important to have fire engineers who understand what they are looking for to avoid issues.

Our fully accredited engineers at Armstrong Priestley have helped universities maintain compliance through professional installation, planned maintenance, and regular inspections.

We look at:

Fire safety equipment
Alarm systems
Suppression systems
Emergency lighting

Installation, maintenance and emergency support

One of the best things we can do for our clients is to help with the installation, maintenance, and emergency call-outs when something needs immediate attention.

By doing things right from the beginning, building owners and managers can avoid a lot of costs and heartache later on. Our experienced team at Armstrong Priestley ensures every system is correctly installed, tested and commissioned.

If you need any help post-installation, you can always get in touch with us, especially for things like regular servicing.

Protect your university with Armstrong Priestley.

Fire safety is non-negotiable in higher education, and at Armstrong Priestley we treat it like that!

Contact us today by clicking here or calling 0113 394 4040 for more information regarding our fire suppression systems, and enjoy the expert advice and services we have provided for over 40 years!