New UK Fire Safety Statistics Reinforce the Effectiveness of Water Mist Fire Suppression Systems

The latest fire safety statistics from the UK Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government have reinforced the effectiveness of water mist fire suppression systems in protecting homes and residential buildings.

Covering more than 4,000 fire incidents between 2018 and 2024, the government report compares water mist systems with traditional fire sprinklers — providing clear insight into how each performs in real-life domestic and residential environments.

Residential Fire Suppression Results: Fire incident statistics 2018 to 2024

Government-backed data has compared the real-world performance of two key types of active fire protection systems: sprinklers and water mist.

These figures show that both systems are highly effective in stopping fire spread. However, water mist systems demonstrated a slight edge in both control and extinguishment, particularly when fires began in rooms protected by the system. These findings should give specifiers, building control, and fire suppression installers greater confidence in offering water mist as a credible alternative to traditional fire sprinkler systems.

KEY FINDINGS:

Fire Control Rate

Water Mist Systems: 95.8%

Sprinkler Systems: 91.4%

Fire Extinguishment Rate

Water Mist Systems: 37.4%

Sprinkler Systems: 36.8%

Reliable, Safe, and Low-Impact Fire Protection for Homes

Both fire suppression types also showed high reliability:

Water Mist: 2.9% system fault rate

Sprinklers: 1.9% system fault rate

Where issues did occur, they were often linked to the fire starting outside the protected area or a known system fault. The findings underscore the importance of correct system design and installation, especially in domestic properties with varied layouts.

At iCO^®, we’re proud to see official, independent data confirm what we’ve long known: High-pressure water mist systems are a trusted, effective and modern solution for domestic fire protection – offering reliable performance with minimal disruption.

The Advantages of Water Mist Fire Suppression Systems

The report compiled by the International Water Mist Association (IWMA), reinforces several key benefits of water mist fire suppression technology:

Water mist provides exceptional fire control and suppression rates

Water Mist is highly reliable with fault rates less than 3%

Water Mist uses significantly less water, reducing property damage and environmental impact

Room-of-origin fire performance demonstrates the critical role of proper system design and installation.

“This confirms what professionals already know. Well-designed suppression systems save lives. Water mist’s edge in performance, combined with its low water usage, makes it a powerful fire safety solution. This is good news for the entire fire protection sector.”

Max Lakkonen, President of the International Water Mist Association (IWMA)

Why More Homeowners and Property Developers Are Choosing Water Mist Systems

With increasing awareness around property damage, installation impact, and long-term reliability, water mist systems are fast becoming the preferred choice for residential fire protection.

For more information regarding building regulations, please see our guidance on Water Mist Fire Suppression and BS 9991:2024.

Designed specifically for homes, flats, HMOs and care properties

Fully tested to BS 8458 standards for residential fire suppression

Engineered for rapid retrofit or first-fix installation

Fitted with discreet nozzles that preserve interior design

Ideal for projects where low water usage and fast response are critical