iMist™ Scotland
At iMist™ Scotland, we specialise in innovative fire protection systems prioritising safety and efficiency for our customers. Our market-leading water mist technology is designed to provide high-pressure water mist fire suppression, while minimising water damage, making it ideal for domestic and residential applications.
These installations are reflective of the last 12 months in Scotland.
iMist Scotland Limited. Company Number: SC594769. Registered Address: 4th Floor, 115 George Street, Edinburgh, Scotland, EH2 4JN
Scotland Fire Safety and Legislationn Understanding Fire Regulations in Scotland
Scotland Fire Suppression Regulations Update — Effective 1st March 2021
As of 1st March 2021, changes to the Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004 require the installation of automatic fire suppression systems in a wider range of residential properties across Scotland.
These amendments significantly expand the types of buildings where suppression systems, such as iMist™, are now mandatory.
Key Changes to the Regulations
1. New Building Types Covered
The updated regulations now require automatic fire suppression systems in:
- Shared buildings containing a flat or maisonette
- Social housing dwellings
- (Defined as homes occupied under a Scottish secure tenancy – Housing (Scotland) Act 2001)
- Shared multi-occupancy residential buildings
- (Where more than six people share cooking or sanitary facilities)
2. Removal of Outdated Definitions
- The term ‘high-rise domestic building’ has been removed, reflecting a broader and more inclusive approach to residential fire safety.
What This Means
If you’re developing, converting, or managing any of the above property types in Scotland, you are now legally required to install a compliant fire suppression system.
iMist™ offers BS 8458-compliant water mist systems that are ideal for:
- Social housing developments
- Multi-occupancy properties (e.g. HMOs, supported living)
- Flats and maisonettes within shared buildings.
Read more here: https://www.imist.com/scotland-legislation/
| Feature | iMist™ | Other Watermist | 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 suitable for small domestic | Often not |
| Suitable for Residential Applications | Yes | Often not | Yes |
| Suitable for Commercial Applications | COMING SOON | Often not | Yes |
What are the fire safety regulations in Scotland?
Building Standards & Certification in Scotland
In Scotland, all new-build affordable housing developments are legally required to include a fire suppression system. The iMist™ water mist system is widely recognised and approved by multiple Scottish councils, as it meets the requirements of:
- BS 8458 – British Standard for residential and domestic water mist systems
- BSI ISO 9001 – Certification for the design, supply, and installation of water mist fire protection systems
Our system supports compliant, safe, and efficient delivery of fire suppression across a wide range of building types.
Maintenance and Inspection Guidelines
It is a legal requirement to maintain life safety equipment. Systems failing to activate could result in criminal proceedings under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 England and Wales, or The Fire Safety (Scotland) Regulations 2006. Learn more here.
Certified, Audited and Approved
At iMist™, we take compliance and quality seriously. Our fire suppression system has undergone rigorous third-party testing and auditing to ensure it meets the highest industry standards for design, installation, and manufacturing.
We are proud to hold key accreditations and approvals, including:
- Full compliance with BS 8458 – the British Standard for water mist systems in domestic and residential properties
- LABSS (Local Authority Building Standards Scotland) recognition
- BSI ISO 9001 certification – for quality management in the design, supply, and installation of our systems
To achieve BS 8458 certification, the iMist™ system was subjected to six separate fire performance tests, covering a range of real-world scenarios. Passing all six confirms that our system is fully certified for use across all compliant applications.
These accreditations give building control officers, developers, architects, and homeowners the confidence and assurance that the iMist™ system delivers proven, reliable fire protection.
How iMist ™ systems help with Fire Suppression in Scotland
The iMist™ fire suppression system is one of the most rigorously tested and certified domestic and residential solutions in the UK. Designed and installed by our expert team, iMist™ offers a modern alternative to traditional sprinklers, with numerous advantages:
- Faster, cleaner installation
- Reduced water usage (minimising water damage)
- Discreet and space-saving design
Proven Technology, Trusted Results
iMist™ systems are engineered to address all sides of the fire triangle—heat, fuel, and oxygen. Our high-pressure water mist:
- Rapidly cools surrounding temperatures
- Suppresses oxygen near the flame
- Prevents reignition and limits fire spread
With a 100% success rate in real-world activations, iMist™ has proven itself as a reliable, life-saving system for homes, apartments, and multi-occupancy buildings.
Supporting Fire Safety in Remote & Rural Scotland
In many areas of Scotland, especially rural or island communities, Fire and Rescue Service response times can exceed 30 minutes. This increases the risk of:
- Severe property damage
- Loss of life
- Fire spreading to neighbouring buildings
Installing an iMist™ system ensures:
- Fires are actively suppressed long enough for safe evacuation
- Delays in emergency response do not lead to catastrophic damage
- Lives and neighbouring properties are protected
Whether you’re building in the Highlands, the Islands, or an urban development, iMist™ gives you peace of mind with a system that’s fast, efficient, and fully compliant with Scottish fire safety regulations.
Learn more about our systems in Scotland: imist.com/scotland-legislation
iMist in Action in the Real World
When fire broke out in an apartment block in Perth, Scotland, the residents and building were successfully protected by the iMist™ Fire Suppression system.
100%
Success Rate
BACKGROUND
St Catherine’s Place, located in Perth, Scotland, is a tenement building for social housing. The client contacted iMist™ for full domestic coverage to all habitable rooms in the apartment block, using their water mist fire suppression system. This was due to the tenants being considered a fire risk.
In as little as half a day, iMist™ were able to install the system to ensure that tenants and property were fire safe.
SOLUTION
In October 2021, a fire broke out in the apartment block; the residents and building were successfully protected by the iMist™ Fire Suppression system installed in the tenementproperty.
Three fire engines from Scotland Fire and Rescue raced to the scene of the fire, which broke out in the early hours of the morning while the residents were sleeping. While on-site staff raised the alarm by dialling 999, the iMist™ system activated at the scene of the fire.
According to the fire report, the fire was controlled and contained prior to their arrival. The 13 firefighters and one senior officer in attendance were then able to ensure all the residents were safely evacuated while breathing apparatus crews entered the property to ensure the fire was fully out.
Protect your property and the lives of its occupants with the UK’s market-leading, proven fire suppression system.
