Plumis Automist facilitates flat conversion in London

Automist from Plumis, an LABC Registered and cost effective alternative to sprinkler systems was recently used in the conversion of a ground floor flat in Crouch End, Haringey, London into two separate flats, one of which incorporated a 27m long basement space. Building Control officers insisted that, in order to meet fire regulations, a fire suppression system like Automist that offers full room, active fire suppression should be used. The alternative would have been to install staircases in the light wells as a means of escape in the event of a fire. Mr S. Perkins, the owner of the property was reluctant to do this. “This was because it would have meant substantially enlarging the light well space, thereby reducing the internal space. And this would have seriously compromised the aesthetic of the project.”

The traditional alternative was to install sprinklers but, for this, additional building works would have been necessary in the already completed flats. Furthermore, a discharge would have drenched the new fixtures and fittings as well as the recently refurbished fabric of the property. Mr Perkins searched for a solution and visited the Plumis website where he familiarised himself with the Automist product, which uses a high pressure pump to generate a fine water mist from nozzles mounted under a standard tap, on a worktop or unobtrusively mounted on a wall. It is designed to limit fire growth and minimise exposure to toxic gases and heat, making escape safer in an emergency. He was referred to Fire Fend Installations, a London and South East-based accredited Automist installer who he duly contacted with his architect’s plans. Karen Cowling, Fire Fend’s General Manager dealt with the enquiry promptly and advised him that 3 fixed heads and 2 pumps would provide adequate protection, which, was approved by the private Building Control Officer. Mr Perkins was delighted with the solution. “We were in a position to install quickly and we were able to complete the process and commission the system within a relatively short time. Fire Fend made sure that the various elements were delivered to site when we needed them and we found the process pretty painless!”

Mr Perkins was fully satisfied with the completion of his project and would certainly consider using Plumis Automist and Fire Fend Installations for any future projects of this type.