Project Snapshot
Project Type: Residential Apartments
Location: Polar Riverside
Apartments Protected: 600+
Blocks Covered: A1 – D4
Standard: BS 9251: 2014
System Type: Shared tank and pump arrangement
Ongoing Service: Annual maintenance for Blocks C1 and C2
Purpose: Residential life safety fire suppression
Project Overview
Working in liaison with our parent company, Millharbour Sprinklers was involved in the design, installation and commissioning of a residential fire sprinkler system across Blocks A1 to D4 at the Polar Riverside development.
With over 600 apartments across the scheme, this project required detailed hydraulic design, close coordination and robust compliance management to ensure effective life safety protection at scale.
Unlike standalone systems, Polar Riverside incorporated a shared tank and pump arrangement serving both domestic and sprinkler demands. This introduced additional design and calculation requirements to ensure system integrity under all operational scenarios.
The Challenge
Delivering residential sprinkler systems across large, multi-block developments introduces additional layers of complexity.
Key requirements included:
- Fast, reliable life safety fire suppression across all apartments
- Full compliance with BS 9251: 2014
- Integration within a shared tank and pump system
- Minimal visual impact within finished residential environments
- Programme alignment across multiple blocks
- Cost-efficient design without compromising compliance
The shared system required detailed hydraulic calculations to confirm that tank capacity would remain sufficient under peak demand conditions. Where required, a priority demand valve strategy could be implemented within the main plant house, ensuring water supply is reserved for the sprinkler system by temporarily isolating domestic demand during activation.
This level of design scrutiny is critical in shared infrastructure arrangements, where sprinkler resilience must always take precedence.
As with all residential schemes, coordination with architects and other services was essential to ensure discreet integration of sprinkler heads and pipework within completed apartments and communal areas.
Our Solution
Following receipt of the architect’s tender issue drawings, our in-house design team undertook detailed coverage analysis and hydraulic modelling to confirm system efficiency and compliance.
By thoroughly reviewing system demand and plant configuration, we were able to:
- Validate tank capacity against worst-case operating scenarios
- Assess and implement priority demand strategies where required
- Optimise pipe sizing and material usage
- Maintain strict compliance with British Standards
- Provide commercially accurate project pricing
Installation works were carefully coordinated with other contractors across multiple blocks to ensure alignment with the construction programme. Effective sequencing reduced delays and minimised service clashes within congested ceiling voids and risers.
All installation and commissioning works were fully quality controlled and tested in accordance with British Standards. Our approach remains consistent: deliver compliant systems properly, first time.
Ongoing Maintenance and Compliance
Following successful installation and commissioning, Millharbour Sprinklers was appointed to provide annual maintenance services for Blocks C1 and C2.
The maintenance plan includes:
- Comprehensive visual inspection of the full sprinkler system
- Exercising of all mechanical valves
- Verification that isolation valves are either monitored or locked open
- Testing of flow switch activation and fire panel response
- Fire panel reset procedures following testing
- Issuing of formal maintenance certification
Ongoing maintenance ensures continued compliance, operational reliability and long-term life safety performance for residents and building operators.
Outcome
The Polar Riverside development benefits from a fully compliant residential sprinkler system protecting over 600 apartments across multiple blocks.
Through detailed hydraulic design, careful coordination and ongoing maintenance support, Millharbour Sprinklers delivered a technically robust solution tailored to the specific needs of a large-scale residential development.
For developers, contractors and building operators seeking experienced specialists in residential sprinkler installation and maintenance across the UK, Millharbour Sprinklers provides scalable, compliant and commercially considered solutions.
