SMS Projects Limited

Advanced Fire Suppression Systems

Protecting waste sites, recycling facilities, and industrial operations across the UK with expertly specified, regulation-compliant fire suppression solutions.

Let’s Talk Fire Suppression

Why Suppression Matters

Unlike detection alone, fire suppression actively intervenes to limit the spread of fire before the Fire and Rescue Service (FRS) arrives. This is particularly critical on waste sites where the FRS may not be able to safely enter a burning building — making your on-site suppression system the primary line of defence.

A well-designed system can mean the difference between a contained incident and the total loss of infrastructure, permits, and material stock worth millions of pounds.

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Protecting Your Operations

Fire risk at waste and recycling sites is significant and growing. SMS Projects Ltd designs, supplies, and oversees the implementation of fire suppression systems tailored specifically to the challenges of waste management environments — from materials recovery facilities and transfer stations to composting plants, landfills, and shredding operations.

Our expert team carries out thorough site risk assessments and works with leading system manufacturers to specify the most appropriate, proportionate suppression technology for your facility and permit requirements.

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UK Legislation on Fire Suppression

Operators of waste management facilities in England, Scotland, and Wales are subject to a range of overlapping legislative and regulatory requirements regarding fire suppression. Non-compliance can result in enforcement action, permit suspension, or invalidated insurance. SMS Projects Ltd ensures every system we specify meets the relevant standards.

Environmental Permitting Environment Agency — Fire Prevention Plan Requirements Operators holding an environmental permit must submit a Fire Prevention Plan. If waste is stored in a building, installing a fire suppression system is mandatory. The system must be proportionate to the scale and nature of the waste management activity and associated risk.	Certification UKAS Third-Party Certification Requirement The design, installation, and maintenance of all automated suppression equipment must be covered by an appropriate UKAS-accredited third-party certification scheme. Evidence of certification must be included in your fire prevention plan and available for Environment Agency inspection.	Fire Safety Order Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 The primary fire safety legislation for non-domestic premises in England and Wales. It places duties on the Responsible Person to carry out and review fire risk assessments and implement appropriate fire safety measures, which include suppression where the risk warrants it.
Building Regulations Approved Document B (ADB) Sets out guidance on fire safety provisions in building design and construction. It specifies requirements for fire suppression, detection, and alarm systems based on building use, occupancy, and height. Currently transitioning to align with BS EN 13501 European classification standards from March 2025.	Hazardous Materials POPs Regulations 2019 (UK SI 2019/1099) Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) may be present in mixed waste streams and require specific handling. If a fire involves POPs waste, any fire-fighting water residue must be treated as contaminated and segregated. Your suppression design must account for potential POPs on site.	Technical Standard BS EN 12845 — Fixed Firefighting Systems The primary British Standard governing the design, installation, and maintenance of automatic sprinkler systems. Compliance with BS EN 12845 is typically required by insurers and is referenced in environmental permit fire prevention guidance for industrial and warehouse storage settings.

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Fire Suppression for Waste Sites

Waste management sites present a unique and elevated fire risk profile. The combination of mixed combustible materials, lithium-ion batteries, spontaneous combustion in organic stockpiles, and large open-air or enclosed storage areas requires specialist suppression approaches that differ significantly from standard commercial or industrial applications.

⚠ Battery fires at UK waste facilities increased by 71% in a single year, driven by incorrectly disposed lithium-ion batteries entering general waste streams. Specialist high-pressure water suppression is now considered essential at any site receiving mixed household or commercial waste.

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Suppression Technologies

SMS Projects Ltd specifies and oversees the installation of suppression systems from leading certified manufacturers. We select technology based on your site’s specific fire risk, permit conditions, building layout, and insurer requirements – not on a one-size-fits-all approach.

Automatic Sprinkler Systems Compliant with BS EN 12845, wet-pipe, dry-pipe, and pre-action sprinkler systems for enclosed waste storage and processing buildings. Coverage can be tailored to conveyor runs, storage bays, and processing areas.	High-Pressure Water Mist Fine water mist systems use significantly less water than conventional sprinklers, reducing secondary water damage and run-off contamination risk. Highly effective at controlling and suppressing fires in enclosed or semi-enclosed spaces with mixed waste.	Technical Deluge Systems Open-head deluge systems deliver high volumes of water simultaneously across a protected zone. Ideal for waste tipping halls, shredder bays, and areas where rapid full-area suppression is required to contain fast-spreading fires.
Foam Suppression Suitable for flammable liquid storage and certain waste oil or solvent streams. AFFF and alcohol-resistant foam systems create a smothering blanket that seals off the fuel surface from oxygen, preventing re-ignition after initial knockdown.	Gaseous Suppression Inert gas and clean agent systems are employed in control rooms, server rooms, and areas where water damage to equipment would be catastrophic. These systems suppress fires without leaving residue and are safe for use in occupied areas during discharge.	Thermal-Linked & Automated Systems Integration of thermal imaging cameras, smoke detection, and automated suppression triggers enables the earliest possible response — often before a fire becomes visible or triggers a manual alarm. Critical for unmanned overnight operation at waste sites with high self-heating risk.

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Our Approach

Every fire suppression project we undertake follows a structured, evidence-based process. We work closely with site operators, environmental consultants, and insurers to ensure the final system is not only compliant but genuinely protective of your site, your staff, and your permit to operate.

1 – Site Risk Assessment

We conduct a comprehensive fire risk assessment of your facility, reviewing waste types, pile sizes, building layouts, ignition sources, separation distances, and your current fire prevention plan. This informs all subsequent system design decisions.

2 – Permit & Regulatory Review

We review your environmental permit conditions and any existing fire prevention plan obligations to ensure the specified system satisfies Environment Agency requirements and can be evidenced during inspection or permit renewal.

3 – System Specification

Working from the risk assessment and regulatory requirements, we specify the most appropriate suppression technology — or combination of technologies — for each zone of your site. All systems are specified to relevant British and European standards.

4 – UKAS-Certified Installation Oversight

We coordinate installation through UKAS-accredited contractors, ensuring that design, installation, and commissioning documentation meets the third-party certification requirements of the Environment Agency’s fire prevention plan guidance.

5 – Maintenance Planning & Staff Training

A suppression system is only as effective as its maintenance regime. We provide ongoing maintenance planning advice, service schedules, and can coordinate staff training to ensure your team understands the system’s operation and limitations.

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