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Sprinkler i särskilda boenden för äldre och LSS-boenden

Fallqvist, Fredrik LU (2025) In LUTVDG/TVBB VBRM10 20251
Division of Fire Safety Engineering
Abstract
Residential sprinkler systems have been mandatory in newly built Swedish care homes for the elderly and group homes for people with disabilities since 2012. The regulation was introduced on the assumption that sprinklers are a cost-effective life-safety measure for a highly vulnerable population. This thesis re-examines that assumption through a three-part study: (i) a review of international studies regarding the efficiency of sprinklers, (ii) an assessment of Swedish fatal-fire and fire-service incident statistics from 2000 to 2023, and (iii) an updated cost analysis based on real installation projects.
The statistical analysis covers 88 fatal fires in the target occupancies. In 72 % of the cases the fire originated in the direct... (More)
Residential sprinkler systems have been mandatory in newly built Swedish care homes for the elderly and group homes for people with disabilities since 2012. The regulation was introduced on the assumption that sprinklers are a cost-effective life-safety measure for a highly vulnerable population. This thesis re-examines that assumption through a three-part study: (i) a review of international studies regarding the efficiency of sprinklers, (ii) an assessment of Swedish fatal-fire and fire-service incident statistics from 2000 to 2023, and (iii) an updated cost analysis based on real installation projects.
The statistical analysis covers 88 fatal fires in the target occupancies. In 72 % of the cases the fire originated in the direct proximity of the individual, typically during smoking, and would likely have resulted in fatal injury before sprinkler activation. Only one case was identified in which a sprinkler would likely have prevented the fatality. Where sprinklers were installed and activated, they failed to influence the fire outcome in 56 % of the cases in the turnout statistics.
Updated installation costs (770 – 1920 SEK/m2) are up to triple those assumed in the 2011 regulatory impact assessment. Combining these costs with the limited life-saving potential yields a lower benefit-to-cost ratio than previous studies suggest.
The study concludes that current residential sprinklers are not a cost-effective primary life-safety measure in elderly care and LSS facilities. The findings of this report support a review of the current sprinkler requirements and the development of a broader fire safety strategy for these types of housing. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Fallqvist, Fredrik LU
supervisor
organization
course
VBRM10 20251
year
type
M2 - Bachelor Degree
subject
keywords
Boendesprinkler, brandsäkerhet, kostnads-nyttoanalys, äldreboende, LSS-boende, dödsbrandstatistik, effektivitet, Residential sprinkler, fire safety, cost-benefit analysis, elder-care facility, group home, fatal-fire statistics, effectiveness
publication/series
LUTVDG/TVBB
report number
5737
other publication id
ISRN: LUTVDG/TVBB--5737--SE
language
Swedish
id
9211099
date added to LUP
2025-09-04 13:35:27
date last changed
2025-09-04 13:35:27
@misc{9211099,
  abstract     = {{Residential sprinkler systems have been mandatory in newly built Swedish care homes for the elderly and group homes for people with disabilities since 2012. The regulation was introduced on the assumption that sprinklers are a cost-effective life-safety measure for a highly vulnerable population. This thesis re-examines that assumption through a three-part study: (i) a review of international studies regarding the efficiency of sprinklers, (ii) an assessment of Swedish fatal-fire and fire-service incident statistics from 2000 to 2023, and (iii) an updated cost analysis based on real installation projects.
The statistical analysis covers 88 fatal fires in the target occupancies. In 72 % of the cases the fire originated in the direct proximity of the individual, typically during smoking, and would likely have resulted in fatal injury before sprinkler activation. Only one case was identified in which a sprinkler would likely have prevented the fatality. Where sprinklers were installed and activated, they failed to influence the fire outcome in 56 % of the cases in the turnout statistics.
Updated installation costs (770 – 1920 SEK/m2) are up to triple those assumed in the 2011 regulatory impact assessment. Combining these costs with the limited life-saving potential yields a lower benefit-to-cost ratio than previous studies suggest.
The study concludes that current residential sprinklers are not a cost-effective primary life-safety measure in elderly care and LSS facilities. The findings of this report support a review of the current sprinkler requirements and the development of a broader fire safety strategy for these types of housing.}},
  author       = {{Fallqvist, Fredrik}},
  language     = {{swe}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  series       = {{LUTVDG/TVBB}},
  title        = {{Sprinkler i särskilda boenden för äldre och LSS-boenden}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}