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 fire suppression performance in many residential scenarios
Significantly lower water usage, reducing both water damage and the overall system footprint
Proven compliance with national building regulations and standards, including BS 8458:2015 and BS 5306-0
Design flexibility for modern residential building developments.

Tested to Higher Standards

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

More challenging fire loads
Multiple fire test scenarios in various room configuration
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

UK Building Regulations, including Approved Document B, permit the use of alternative fire suppression systems to sprinklers, provided they can demonstrate performance equivalent to the required life safety and property protection objectives. Water mist systems, when tested in accordance with BS 8458 and installed to specification, meet these criteria.

This feature outlines how developers, builders, specifiers, and building control bodies can consider high-pressure water mist as a compliant alternative for residential fire protection.

Why Choose iCO^®?

iCO^® 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.

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.