When selecting a fire suppression system, it’s easy to focus on the look of the product, the cost and the installation timeline, which are, of course, important. But one of the most critical factors is often overlooked: the reliability of the company behind the system.
Recent events within the industry have highlighted the risks of choosing a provider without considering long-term reliability, support, and accountability. A fire suppression system is not something that is easy to replace if something was to go wrong, so getting it right from the start matters.
Fire suppression is not a one-time installation
A fire suppression system is designed to protect lives and property. To do that effectively, it must be properly designed, correctly installed, regularly maintained, and supported for the long term.
Without ongoing maintenance and support, even the best systems can fall short when it matters most.
Why water mist leads the domestic and residential market, and why not all water mist systems are equal
Water mist technology represents a genuine step forward in fire suppression. Independent, government-backed data confirms this: the International Water Mist Association (IWMA) published findings based on UK Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government data, analysing over 4,000 fire incidents across England between 2018 and 2024. Water mist systems controlled fires in 95.3% of cases and fully extinguished them in 58.6% of cases, compared to 90.7% and 27.6% respectively for traditional sprinklers.
But choosing water mist is only half the decision. The quality, capability, and accountability of the provider vary significantly within the water mist market itself, and those differences matter just as much as the technology.
| Feature | iMist | Other water mist | Traditional sprinklers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water supply | ✓ Mains fed — no stored water | ✓ Yes | ✗ Tank fed — stored water |
| Water usage | ✓ Very low — 8lpm | ✓ Very low | ✗ High — 51lpm |
| Retrofit capability | ✓ Excellent — flexible stainless steel pipework | — Often not | ✗ Limited — rigid pipework |
| In-house service & design | ✓ Fully in-house | ✗ No | — Often outsourced |
| Suitable for domestic applications | ✓ Yes | — Often small domestic only | — Often not |
| Suitable for residential applications | ✓ Yes | — Often not | ✓ Yes |
| Suitable for commercial applications | Coming soon! | — Often not | ✓ Yes |
Performance data source: UK Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government — Primary fires in premises with sprinklers or water mist safety systems, 2018–19 to 2023–24, published via the IWMA. Feature comparison based on iMist product specifications.
The water usage difference alone is significant: iMist systems use just 8 litres per minute, compared to 51 litres per minute for a traditional sprinkler system. That’s not just better for limiting water damage — it directly reflects the precision of the technology and the reduced disruption to your property in the event of an activation.
On retrofit capability and in-house service, iMist stands apart from much of the water mist market too. Many water mist providers rely on outsourced installation and servicing — meaning that when something needs attention, accountability becomes unclear. At iMist, design, installation, and ongoing servicing are all handled by our own directly employed team.
Our own records reinforce the performance picture further:
Success rate across every live fire incident recorded by iMist — every system performed exactly as it should.
Based on iMist internal records across all live fire activations to date.
Why provider reliability matters
Even the most effective technology is only as good as the company installing and maintaining it. Choosing a provider isn’t just about who can fit a system — it’s about who will stand behind it for years to come. Before committing to any provider, it’s worth asking:
- Do they manage everything in-house, with full accountability for every engineer on site?
- Will they be around for servicing and support long-term?
- Do they have a proven track record you can verify?
- Can they provide consistent nationwide coverage?
- In the event of a fire, will the system protect your property without converting fire damage into water damage?
- Is the system mains-fed — ensuring reliability without a bulky tank eating into your space?
A long-term approach to fire protection
At iMist, we’ve built our entire service around long-term reliability. Every engineer and technician who sets foot on your site is directly employed by us — no subcontractors, no third parties, no ambiguity about who is responsible. When it comes to the work we do, the buck starts and stops with us.
The majority of our systems are mains-fed, which means no bulky storage tanks, more usable space, and a continuous water supply in an emergency — a practical advantage that complements the performance data above.
The only fire suppression company recognised as a Which? Trusted Trader
We’re proud to be the only fire suppression company to hold Which? Trusted Trader status — awarded following a detailed independent assessment of our business, including our practices, financial history and customer experience. It’s not something you can simply apply for. You have to earn it.
Going beyond installation with ongoing system support
Fire safety doesn’t stop once a system is installed — and neither do we. Through our iMist Monitoring Service (IMS), we provide a structured, proactive approach to system oversight that goes well beyond standard annual servicing.
It’s all part of ensuring every system continues to perform exactly as it should, when it matters most.
Make the right choice from the start. Taking the time to choose a reputable, established provider can make all the difference — not just at installation, but for the entire lifetime of the system.
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