In industrial property insurance, selecting the appropriate standard for safety systems, such as sprinkler systems, is crucial. Different standards can significantly impact the safety and insurability of industrial facilities. A recent case illustrates how varying standards can lead to challenges.
The Incident: A Real-World Example
I recently had a meeting with a risk engineer from an insurance company who was assessing a sprinkler system installed at one of our clients’ facilities according to the EN 12845 standard. Although the insurer is a European company, they only accepted the American NFPA standard, which led to unnecessary modification recommendations. This raises the question: why is the NFPA standard considered the benchmark, even though the European EN standard often sets similarly high requirements and is better suited to the overall demands of industrial facilities in Europe?
Comparison: EN 12845 vs. NFPA Standards for ESFR Sprinklers
Both EN 12845 and NFPA 13 standards share many similarities when it comes to ESFR sprinkler technology, particularly in terms of technical requirements and fire suppression goals. However, despite these technical similarities, there are fundamental differences in building codes and construction methods in Europe and the United States, which have a significant impact on the requirements for sprinkler systems.
European Construction: Stable and Fire-Resistant Design
Europa (EN 12845):
- Solid, fire-resistant construction: European building codes emphasize stable, fireproof construction, which is considered an integral part of building safety. The use of non-combustible or flame-resistant materials, such as concrete, steel, and fire-resistant insulation, significantly reduces fire risks. These buildings are designed to withstand fires better and prevent their spread effectively.
- Comprehensive fire protection: European regulations, such as the Eurocodes (EN 1991, EN 1992), require the integration of fire protection measures into the building structure. Sprinkler systems under EN 12845 are part of a broader fire safety strategy, including passive measures like firewalls, smoke extraction systems, and carefully planned escape routes.
- Efficient water usage: Due to the high level of structural safety, EN 12845 typically does not require excessive water quantities for sprinkler systems, offering a cost-effective and resource-efficient solution.
American Construction: Risks of Lighter Structures
USA (NFPA 13):
- Lightweight construction, higher risk: In contrast, American building codes often favor lighter, more cost-effective materials. This "house of cards" approach, which frequently relies on wooden frames and less fire-resistant materials, is flexible and quick to construct but significantly increases fire risks. These buildings are often more vulnerable to fast fire spread, which is why NFPA standards demand high-performance sprinkler systems.
- Higher water demand: Due to the increased risk posed by the lighter construction, the NFPA standard often calls for more powerful sprinkler systems with higher water requirements. These systems must be capable of combating potentially large and rapidly growing fires, which can occur due to the less robust building design.
- Isolation of fire protection systems: Unlike in Europe, where fire protection is an integral part of the overall building design, sprinkler systems in the U.S. are often treated in isolation. This results in systems that are larger and more expensive, without other fire protection measures mitigating the risks.
Facts: The Efficiency of EN 12845 in ESFR Sprinklers
The EN 12845 standard offers several specific advantages when using ESFR sprinklers, derived from the solid European construction methods:
- Optimal water use: Since European buildings are generally more stable and less flammable, EN 12845 does not require an unnecessary surplus of water. This allows for more efficient water use while maintaining a high level of safety. For example, in Europe, 65% of all fires are extinguished with 1-2 sprinklers, and 85% with fewer than 6 sprinklers—a testament to the efficiency of European standards in practice.
- Holistic integration: The EN 12845 sprinkler system is part of a comprehensive fire protection concept that fully leverages the structural advantages of European construction. This reduces fire risk and minimizes costs, as the overall architecture of the building is considered. In contrast, in the U.S., 77% of fires are extinguished with a sprinkler system, and 97% with 5 or fewer sprinklers—highlighting the higher water demand and the isolated approach of sprinkler systems in American standards.
Criticism: The Role of Insurers
It is questionable why European insurers operating in a European market do not fully recognize the locally developed standards such as EN 12845. This leads to unnecessary adjustments and costs without providing any additional safety benefits. European building methods and standards already offer a high level of safety that should not be undermined by adopting foreign standards that may be less appropriate.
Conclusion: The Right Standard for Europe
Although the NFPA and EN standards are similar in many aspects, especially regarding ESFR technology, EN 12845 offers clear advantages through its holistic approach and consideration of Europe’s stable, fire-resistant construction methods. Robust European buildings do not require oversized sprinkler systems with high water demands, as is often necessary in the U.S. European insurers should, therefore, recognize and promote local standards to ensure effective, cost-efficient, and comprehensive risk management.
The strength of European construction and the EN 12845 standard together provide a solid foundation for industrial facility safety—whereas a "house of cards" made from lighter materials, as is often found in the U.S., requires different measures to achieve the same level of protection. European insurers should trust the proven, integrated standards that are tailored to the specific requirements and construction methods of the continent.
The strength of European construction methods and the EN 12845 standard together form a solid basis for the safety of industrial facilities - a ‘house of cards’ made of lightweight materials, as is often found in the USA, on the other hand, requires other measures to achieve the same level of protection. European insurers should therefore rely on the proven, integrative standards that are tailored to the continent's specific requirements and construction methods.
