Sprinklers save Factory

Sprinkler system saves multi-million pound Cheshire factory

A sprinkler system has helped prevent a multi million pound Cheshire factory from going up in smoke after a fire at the premises.

Eight fire crews were sent to Mitras on Road One, Winsford Industrial Estate just after 8pm on Tuesday, June 23. On arrival the flames were seen coming through the roof space.

Keith Brooks, Head of Protection and Prevention: "This factory contained highly flammable products which, if a fire had got to them, could have been disastrous. Thankfully, a sprinkler system contained the flames to an area involving a machine and ducting above.

"Companies very rarely recover from a fire such as this, but the sprinkler system did its job and minimised the impact on the rest of the building, containing the flames to one area."

Crews were quickly on the scene and a team of firefighters in breathing apparatus worked inside the building to detect and extinguish the flames, which went from the machine and up through ducting affecting the roof.

Keith added: "Sprinklers work to suppress the flames and although the ducting above and the roof was damaged, the rest of the factory escaped this fire. We would urge all business across the county to fit sprinklers in order to protect their business, their staff, customers and our firefighters."

Recently a fire involving machinery at Jiffy Packaging on Winsford Industrial Estate was also kept confined thanks to a sprinkler system.

The systems which saved these two premises is a fixed pipe sprinkler system which runs through the premises, protecting the manufacturing areas. The head near to the fire breaks due to the heat, releasing a spray of water to limit the fire from spreading.

Mitras Managing Director Andrew Goodier is today feeling the benefits of having sprinklers. He said: "Whilst manufacturing has been paused for one week to allow for re wiring etc, without the sprinkler system we'd be talking two years, if not longer.

"I would encourage anyone in the manufacturing industry who doesn't have sprinklers to think very carefully about what they would do in a situation like this, and how their business would survive a fire.

"We know the value of sprinklers here at Mitras. We are opening a new factory in Winsford very soon and have already fitted sprinklers as standard."

For more information about sprinklers and business continuity advice please visit the website www.cheshirefire.gov.uk

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