Brucefields is a newbuild development by Persimmon Homes in Bannockburn, a short distance from Stirling. Part of the South Stirling Gateway masterplan, the development is being delivered in phases and includes apartments alongside houses of up to four bedrooms.
SmartMist Fire installed water mist fire suppression at Brucefields. The system was planned around the build programme, installed with a discreet finish and handed over with clear documentation for the project team. The project follows SmartMist’s work with Persimmon Homes at Burgh Gate in Musselburgh.
Project overview
- Development: Brucefields, Pirnhall Road, Bannockburn, Stirling, FK7 8EH
- Developer: Persimmon Homes (East Scotland)
- Project type: Phased new build residential development of apartments and houses, part of the South Stirling Gateway masterplan
- SmartMist service: Water mist fire suppression installation
- Sector: Residential new build, Central Scotland
The requirement
Brucefields includes apartments alongside family houses, so automatic fire suppression was a regulatory requirement for the relevant buildings.
The applicable technical handbook depends on the building warrant date and project type, so each project should be checked against the version of Standard 2.15 that applied when the warrant was submitted or the work started.
A phased development within a wider masterplan brings practical demands of its own. The fire suppression work had to fit cleanly into the programme:
- Scheduling around other trades as phases progressed
- A discreet finish for homes sold on the open market
- Consistent installation quality across apartments and house types
- Clear handover information once installation was complete
Why water mist
Water mist systems suppress fire with fine water droplets that control flames and reduce heat. As the NFPA notes, they achieve this with less water and smaller pipework than standard sprinkler systems.
Those characteristics suit new build housing. Smaller pipework is easier to route within ceiling voids and service runs, and small nozzles sit neatly within the finished home. Lower water flow also reduces the risk of water damage if the system ever activates, which is a real concern for homeowners, developers and insurers.
The result
SmartMist Fire completed the water mist installation at Brucefields. The completed installation gave the project team:
- Compliant automatic fire suppression meeting Standard 2.15
- A discreet finish across apartments and family houses
- An installation scheduled around a phased build programme
- Full handover documentation and aftercare support
What developers can take from Brucefields
Fire suppression touches design, service routes, ceilings, approvals and handover, so treating it as a late-stage add-on creates avoidable problems. On a phased development like Brucefields, planning the suppression work into the programme early gave the project team time to review the design, arrange access and confirm requirements well before handover, with the same approach carried through each phase.
Brucefields is part of a wider partnership between Persimmon Homes and SmartMist, following projects such as Burgh Gate in Musselburgh. Repeat work with a national housebuilder reflects an approach that fits how new build sites actually run.
If your development includes flats, maisonettes or shared residential use, ask three questions early. What does Standard 2.15 require for this building type? Is water mist suitable for the design? How will installation fit around the site programme?
Planning a development?
If you are planning a new build development, apartment block or residential fire safety upgrade in Scotland, SmartMist Fire can advise on water mist systems, installation planning and the best route for your project.
Speak to SmartMist Fire early, before fire suppression becomes a late-stage problem.