Reliability and Effectiveness of Sprinkler Systems in Poland

Abstract

The article presents research on the reliability and effectiveness of sprinkler systems in selected countries around the world as well as results of similar studies conducted in Poland based on the data of the State Fire Service. First discussed are the specifics of analysed data and the problems regarding its acquisition and presentation in a simplified form without proper reflection and the assessment of its specificity, quality, detail, uncertainty and completeness. The next step presents the methodology of detailed data analysis based on full description of fire events and the segregation of fire events into separate subcategories. Such an analysis allowed the presumption that in the five-year period 2013–2017, in 94.4% of relevant fire events sprinkler systems in Poland have demonstrated the achievement of their intended goals. This result is similar to the results achieved in other countries known for high level of fire safety culture (USA, UK, Sweden). In the author’s opinion, this proves the high immanent reliability of these systems, which results from their simple construction and proper maintenance, and not from the country in which they were installed. Taking into account these results, it is recommended that Poland should update its regulations in a manner similar to that of developed countries, so that they take into account in a greater extent the protective value and characteristics of sprinkler systems and the benefits resulting from their application. It is also recommended to increase the detail of publicly collected data on fire protection systems in buildings because better knowledge about the characteristics of these systems in Poland may allow achieving an even higher level of their reliability and effectiveness.