Woolworth's retail store, Manchester, May 1979 - Cooke On Fire

Woolworth’s – BRE sprinkler tests‣ Tests were made to see ifsprinklers would control such afire.‣ Even though earlier tests withsprinklers suggested that thewater discharge densityneeded for vertically stackedpolyurethane foam would betoo high to provide, a sprinklersystem would at least causean alarm to be raised.‣ In the BRE large scalesimulation, bulbs in the mock-up sprinkler installation (whichintentionally did not containwater) operated within 30seconds of ignition.‣ BRE made three sprinklertests using a sprinkler systemwith 5 mm, 10 mm and lastly2.3 mm/minute discharge..‣ In the first two tests the smoke turnedwhite and descended to floor level, butthe volume of smoke was markedlyless than in the unsprinklered test.‣ With 2.3 mm/minute discharge the firewas not extinguished and producedsmoke and gases of appreciablygreater volume than in the other twosprinklered tests.‣ The sprinkler tests indicated that, ifsprinklers had been installed inWoolworth’s, people on the 2nd floor(particularly those in the offices andrestaurant) would have encounteredless arduous conditions when makingtheir escape.