Sprinkler systems play a vital role in protecting buildings, people and assets from fire. For Facilities Managers and those responsible for fire safety, installation is only part of the responsibility. The system must remain ready to operate when required.
That means looking at the sprinkler installation itself, as well as the electrical equipment supporting it. If pumps, controls or other equipment depend on electrical power, what happens during a mains failure?
What UK Regulations and Standards Apply to Sprinkler Systems?
The requirements depend on the building and the type of sprinkler system installed.
BS EN 12845-1 covers the design, installation and maintenance of automatic sprinkler systems in commercial and industrial premises. BS 9251 applies to sprinkler systems in domestic and residential buildings.
BS 9251:2021 also addresses power arrangements for residential sprinkler systems. DutyPoint’s guidance on UPS systems and BS 9251 highlights the enhanced power supply requirements associated with Category 4 applications, including buildings over 18 metres. These arrangements are intended to maintain sprinkler operation if the normal mains supply fails.
Fire safety legislation also places responsibilities on those managing premises to maintain fire precautions in effective working order. Understanding which standard and system category applies helps facilities teams establish what needs maintaining, how it should be tested and who is responsible.
BAFSA and Sprinkler System Compliance: What You Need to Know
The British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association (BAFSA) provides guidance, training and technical information for the sprinkler industry.
BAFSA promotes third-party certification for sprinkler system design, installation and maintenance. For building owners and Facilities Managers, certification provides greater assurance that organisations working on sprinkler systems can demonstrate appropriate competence.
This matters because sprinkler reliability depends on the complete installation. Pumps, valves, controls, alarms, water supplies and monitoring equipment can all affect performance, while electrically powered equipment introduces another dependency that needs to be understood and maintained.
Sprinkler System Testing and Maintenance Requirements
Testing and maintenance requirements vary according to the installation and applicable standard.
Checks can cover water supplies, pumps, valves, pressure gauges, alarms and monitoring equipment. Maintenance records should also be retained so those responsible for the building can demonstrate that appropriate checks have taken place.
Electrical dependencies shouldn’t be overlooked.
This becomes particularly important where sprinkler systems draw water from storage tanks and rely on electrically driven pumps to maintain the required pressure. A loss of mains power could otherwise affect the equipment needed to deliver water.
Facilities teams should therefore understand both the sprinkler system and the backup supply supporting electrically dependent equipment.
Do Sprinkler Systems Need Backup Power During a Mains Failure?
Not every sprinkler system requires a UPS system. The required arrangement depends on the system design, building category and applicable requirements.
For certain higher-risk residential applications, BS 9251:2021 requires an enhanced power supply. DutyPoint explains that Category 4 applications require primary and secondary power sources, with automatic changeover so power can continue if the mains supply fails.
Other installations may use direct mains water supplies, while some incorporate storage tanks, electric pumps, controls, alarms, monitoring systems or communications equipment. Each electrically dependent component needs to be considered against the design requirements.
What happens when mains power disappears? Does the equipment have an independent standby supply? How long must it continue operating? Is changeover automatic? Does the installation require generator support, battery backup or an Uninterruptible Power Supply?
These questions help establish the backup power arrangement required for the building.
Who Is Responsible for UPS Systems and Backup Power?
Responsibility can cross several contractors and internal teams.
A sprinkler contractor may maintain the fire suppression system, while a facilities team manages the building’s electrical infrastructure. A separate critical power provider may then be responsible for UPS system maintenance, UPS battery maintenance and testing.
Clear ownership matters, particularly where an enhanced power supply or automatic changeover arrangement forms part of the sprinkler system design. Backup power can only provide protection if the UPS system and UPS batteries remain capable of supporting the required load and runtime.
We’ve worked on critical power projects involving UPS systems for emergency infrastructure, extended runtime battery packs, bypass arrangements, UPS battery replacement and the removal of ageing equipment. That experience shows why supporting power should be assessed against the actual load, required runtime and consequences of failure.
For Facilities Managers, a useful starting point is to identify every electrically dependent component associated with the sprinkler installation. Establish what happens to each component during a mains failure, how the secondary supply operates and who is responsible for maintaining it.
Uninterrupted Power Solutions can carry out a UPS system audit, UPS system test, UPS system maintenance and UPS battery replacement, helping you establish whether supporting power arrangements are ready to perform when they’re needed.
Need to review the backup power supporting your building’s critical systems? Contact Uninterrupted Power Solutions to arrange an assessment.
