Water Mist and Residential Building Compliance: iCO Products Featured in International Fire Protection Magazine

We’re excited to highlight our latest feature in International Fire Protection magazine: “Water Mist Compliance with Residential Building Regulations.”

As residential building regulations continue to evolve in the UK, so too does the demand for modern, efficient fire suppression systems. Traditionally, sprinklers have been the go-to choice. But today, there’s a better option — water mist systems, and iCO® is leading the way.

Raising the Bar in Residential Fire Safety

The article explores how water mist technology is transforming residential fire protection by offering:

✓ Superior performance to sprinklers in many cases.
✓ Significantly lower water usage, reducing water damage and system footprint.
✓ Proven compliance with national standards like BS 8458:2015 and BS 5306-0.
✓ Design flexibility for modern residential developments.

Tested to Higher Standards

What truly sets water mist apart is its rigorous testing criteria. Compared to traditional sprinkler systems, water mist undergoes:

• More challenging fire loads.
• Multiple fire test scenarios in various room configurations.
• A highly ventilated environment retest of the worst-performing setup.
• Optional open-space fire containment tests.

Despite these tougher standards, water mist systems consistently deliver results — meeting performance thresholds on a par with or exceeding sprinklers, whilst using only a fraction of the water.

Regulatory Compliance, Backed by Science

Even though UK Building Regulations often reference sprinkler systems, they also permit alternative solutions — provided these systems are proven to meet or exceed required safety outcomes. Water mist, when tested to BS 8458 and installed correctly, fits this bill perfectly.

Our feature explains how stakeholders — developers, builders, specifiers, and building control officers — can confidently choose water mist whilst staying fully compliant.

Why Choose iCO®?

iCO®’s residential water mist systems are engineered specifically for the demands of modern buildings. They’re compact, efficient, sustainable, and now more than ever, recognised as a robust, compliant alternative to traditional sprinklers.

✓ Fully compliant with BS 8458:2015.
✓ Reduced water demand and system size.
✓ Backed by rigorous, real-world testing.

Read the Full Article

Click here to read “Water Mist Compliance with Residential Building Regulations”

Have a project or question? Contact your local industry approved iCO® installer to explore how iCO® can help deliver smarter, safer fire protection for your residential developments.