Blueproof attaches to radiators from which it automatically draws and emits water when it detects a fire.
Developed by the London-based Bluerad the product also penetrates the smoke layer and scrubs the carbon particles out the amount of toxic smoke and fumes, reducing toxicity – an unprecedented feature. It stabilizes the oxygen usage of the fire in the first seconds of activation.
The company has been in talks with insurers and urges anyone using the product to request a reduction in their premium.
The product was installed when radiatiors were replaced as part of a £3m refurbishment of Bentinck Court, Manvers Court and Kingston Courts, three 16 storey tower blocks managed by Nottingham City Homes (NCH).
Unlike smoke alarms and sprinklers, the device does not require a power supply.
Blueproof also follows the movement of a fire and reduce temperatures not only in the room in which it activates, but also in stairwells and on upper floors.
During fire tests, Blueproof reduced the toxicity of smoke and lowered the temperatures by hundreds of degrees within 60-90 seconds of activation.
The average amount of fluid in a radiator (12L) is four times what is needed to extinguish a fire in an average sized room as water turns to steam its volume increases by around 1700 times.
With 12 people losing their lives in house fires every day in Europe there is certainly a market for this. London Fire Brigade (LFB) figures showed there were 684 fires in high rise flats in 2014.
Requiring no batteries, testing or ongoing maintainence is less vulnerable to the problems that afflict smoke alarms, which often run out of battery or have no battery.
Blueproof prevents “flashover” – making firefighters’ jobs much safer.
“We are always looking for ways to enhance fire safety for our tenants,” said Ian Rabett, Head of Health and Safety at Nottingham City Homes. “Blueproof is not replacing any of our existing fire prevention procedures, we just saw this as a perfect opportunity to test its effectiveness in addition to all other measures.
“Of course we always hope we will never need to use them, as we do all we can alongside Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service to prevent fire in NCH properties. But of course this isn’t always possible and sometimes these events sadly do occur.
“If the Blueproof device can make a difference to just one person in the event of a fire, then that’s one life worth saving.”
Clive Atkinson of Bluerad team said Blueproof “will help to make homes and workplaces a safer place to be, not only for the occupiers of properties, but also for the fire fighters who attend burning buildings.
“For a relatively small investment and no ongoing maintenance costs, Blueproof has been shown to protect premises against fire and its effects. Blueproof provides water where and when it is most needed.”
“We are confident, following the successful installation and commissioning in Nottingham, that we are ready to roll Blueproof out to protect families, workers, the elderly and even pets across the UK.”
Bluerad is offering the Blueproof at an introductory price – click here to find out more.
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sounds a good idea but would it work with a condensing boiler where there is little pressure in the system
Hi – the sales advertising says the product is only good for 5 years?
What is the reason behind this? As replacing every five years may not be affordable to everyone.
regards
Clark
clarkmurray Thats on material replacement. It has a predicted life cycle of 20+ years.
Steve Goody What you have to understand are flow dynamics. It makes no difference to the boiler pressure. The blocked in pressure of the radiator exposed to the fire will raise the pressure up to 9 bar. This was proven at BRE and during a demonstration. As the temperature comes down the pressure does too. Radiators are not sized for flow relief so hence blocked in pressure. The head in the system will feed the radiator that has activated.
DavidAtkinson Steve Goody
Thanks for the clarification David
Steve Goody DavidAtkinson Thanks Steve. What I forgot to mention is that there is normally twice the amount of water in the radiators than needed to suppress the fire. Suppression began in the first 90 seconds during full scale fire experiments at BRE. Its just like putting the kettle on 🙂
David, Your literature says there is usually 12L in a rad, which is 4 times the water needed, but you just said it’s double. I’d love to know where you got those statistics from? Why do you not publish the BRE test criteria and result data to prove how good this system is? I mean, you’re hanging your hat on the BRE testing, yet not actually giving any tangible evidence of performance. Opening a window will reduce the temperature and smoke briefly… so how does your system ‘save lives’ and make the room tenable?
Only just been sent the link to this and first thing is most of the post are 2105. Guess it didn’t take off as planned.
Sorry but on a sealed system the boiler has a pressure relief valve that is typically set at 3 bar so can’t see how this stacks up. Can’t see this working on a domestic system.