"DerbyBorn" wrote in message
2.222...
I realise the risks with sprinklers and the very high cost of their
instalations - but surely a simple dry riser to a few strategic jets - fed
by water from the fire brigade could be a fast response solution where
high
reach appliances take a long time to be deployed and may not be high
enough.

Imagine a pipe on the roof to act as a big sprinkler - early deployment
would have killed the fire. Cost - some pipes.

It does seem strange that old buildings like that don't have some form of
sprinkler or dry riser fitted to meet current fire safety laws. And at least
all the pipework would be hidden in the space above the stone ceiling and
wouldn't be on show to disfigure the appearance.

It would have been ironic if part of the modernisation work that was carried
out had been to install such a dry riser.