Water Sprinklers in Libraries a Survey
WATER SPRINKLERS IN LIBRARIES – A SURVEY
University of Adelaide (13 December 2004)
The Barr Smith Library is under pressure to install sprinklers due to an upgrade in Adelaide City Council fire-safety regulations. We would be interested in the experiences of other university libraries.
The Questions:
(1) Do you have water sprinklers in the Library?
(2) If so:
- When were they installed? And by what authority?
- Were other fire-prevention/reduction measures available as options?
- Have you had leaks or faulty activations? If so, how often and what damage has been caused?
- At installation, were you required to make changes to library shelves (for example to re-position them, to lower the height)?
- Any other comments?
(3) If not, is the matter of sprinklers an issue? Has it been raised or foreshadowed? Do you have an attitude on the matter?
Australian Catholic University
Only one of the libraries has them. No problems with leaks. Most of the libraries do not have them, and the issue has not been raised for some time. We use smoke/heat detectors.
Central Queensland University
No.
Charles Sturt University
No. It has been foreshadowed in relation to a new library building.
Deakin University
No at Warrnambool and Geelong Campuses. Geelong uses smoke and heat detectors only.
Yes at Burwood Campus where it was installed when building constructed in 1984 as standard fit out. Have had two minor leaks. No problems with shelving.
Yes at Waterfront Campus, installed in 1996 as part of building regulations. Two leaks due to malfunctioning valves. No problems with shelving.
Griffith University
No. Use compartmentation of floors and sections as fire barriers.
James Cook University
No. Raised as an issue in 1991 when the Library was extended; we were obliged to have charged fire hoses in various locations. So far there have been no disasters with them.
La Trobe University
Only in Albury-Wodonga Library where they were installed when the Library was built in 2002.
Monash University
No. We have avoided installing sprinklers due to the perceived problems in maintaining and faults reported from other libraries. New or extended buildings have increased fire protection between floors and services within building regulations. Sensitive areas (such as Rare Books) have had VESDA fire detection systems installed.
Queensland University of Technology
No. Because of the age of the buildings; if they were being built today under the current building act and BCA requirement, they would have to have a sprinkler system installed mainly because of the height of the buildings.
Swinburne University of Technology
No at Hawthorn campus; smoke alarms are used.
Yes at Prahran campus according to Australian standards. No problems with shelving.
University of Ballarat
No. Use heat or smoke detectors at most libraries; one library has thermal detector, smoke detectors and CO2 system in the computer room.
University of New England
No.
University of New South Wales
Yes in Biomedical Library; it is attached to the main Library but a separate 3 floor buildings. Have not been faulty, and no problems with shelving because of high ceilings.
Lack of sprinklers in the main library tower is seen as a major issue and is one reason for getting the building redone. It is planned, but not immediately. We have smoke and heat sensors everywhere.
University of Queensland
Yes. Installed at various times. No leaks or faulty activations. No shelving problems.
University of Sydney
Yes, installed in Fisher at the end of 1997 as part of a general upgrade of the fire safety provisions, prompted in part by insurance. No leaks, and no problems with shelving, although did install new ceilings and lighting.
University of Western Australia
No. Looked at it recently, but too expensive and are installing hose reels instead.
University of Western Sydney
Yes, in only one of our seven libraries. It was installed in 1999 for insurance purposes. No leaks or faulty activations. No problems with shelving.
University of Wollongong
No, but a possibility we may be required to install them in the near future for insurance purposes.
Victoria University
Yes, at 5 of 13 campus/site libraries. 3 when library constructed, and 2 during refurbishment (2000 and 2002). No leaks or faults (except in a backroom pipe). One campus has smoke and thermal detectors and fire doors.
University of Adelaide
28/11/05