New UK Fire Safety Statistics 2024/25: Water Mist Systems Outperform Sprinklers Across Every Measure

Fire Safety Data 2024/25

New government-backed fire data for 2024/25 delivers a clear verdict: high-pressure water mist systems significantly outperform traditional sprinkler systems in activation reliability, fire control, and extinguishment. For anyone responsible for protecting lives and property, the data is compelling.

A proven track record: now stronger than ever

This is not the first time government data has validated water mist technology. The International Water Mist Association (IWMA) previously analysed UK Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government fire incident data from 2018 to 2024. Their findings showed:

• Water mist systems controlled fires in 95.3% of cases
• Water mist systems extinguished fires in 58.6% of cases

Both measures significantly outperformed traditional sprinklers. The new 2024/25 data reinforces these findings — extending a consistent, real-world evidence base to over six years. 

First question: did the system activate?

Before performance, we need to ask a more fundamental question: did the system activate at all?

That means in half of all sprinkler incidents, the system did not operate. The most common reason? Coverage gaps. In 42% of sprinkler non-activations, the fire occurred outside the system’s coverage area — in a room or space the installation simply did not reach.

This is why full-property protection matters. At iMist, we have seen this firsthand.

In one recent incident, a child’s bedroom fan caught fire. Because the iMist system covered the entire property, it activated and extinguished the fire before it could spread — protecting the family and preventing serious damage. Fires don’t only start in kitchens. Partial coverage is not always adequate coverage.

Water mist vs sprinklers: performance breakdown

Where systems activated, and outcomes were confirmed. The below analysis does not include data where the outcome was ‘not known’.

The data shows that water mist systems are far less likely to fail to control a fire. When they activate, they fully extinguish the fire in more than 82.3% of cases.

Why water mist works: the fire triangle

Water mist is designed to attack all three sides of the fire triangle — heat, oxygen, and fuel — simultaneously, suppressing fires faster and more completely than conventional systems.

Monitoring matters

The data also raises an important question about the reliability of ageing fire suppression infrastructure, and the regular maintenance of automatic water fire suppression systems. At iMist, we address this through our iMist Monitoring Service (IMS), which provides continuous remote monitoring of installed systems — identifying issues proactively so that systems are ready when they are needed most.

Why iMist leads in residential fire protection

At iMist, we specialise in BS 8458:2015 compliant water mist fire suppression systems for domestic and residential properties across the UK. From houses and flats to care homes and housing developments, our systems deliver high performance with minimal water usage and low disruption installation — all backed by compliance, innovation, and real-world data.

And, the water mist statistics back this up:

Future-ready fire protection starts here

Whether you are a homeowner, developer, contractor, or building manager, water mist systems offer a smarter, more effective approach to fire safety.