Shift in Norwegian fire systems reported in new figures
The International Water Mist Association (IWMA) has reported that Norway saw a 16.4% increase in water mist nozzle installations in 2024, as the use of traditional sprinkler systems declined by 17.1%.
The data was published by the Norwegian Fire Industry Association (Brannteknisk Forening – BTF) and covers the twenty-year period from 2004 to 2024.
The report shows that 43,010 water mist nozzles were sold across the country last year, with residential installations accounting for 74% of that figure.
By comparison, the total number of sprinkler heads sold fell to 657,068 in 2024. This included a 34.1% decline in residential sprinkler units and an 11.9% drop in conventional systems.
Residential water mist systems see highest growth
The Norwegian Fire Industry Association reported that residential applications were the primary driver of growth in water mist usage.
According to the organisation, 31,865 water mist nozzles were installed in homes in 2024, an increase of 6,010 units or 23.2% compared to the previous year.
This represents more than double the number of residential nozzles recorded in 2020.
Sales of conventional water mist systems remained steady, rising by just 63 units to 11,145 in total, a change of 0.6%.
The data has been collected annually from industry suppliers and is categorised by system type and application.
Sprinkler sales decline across both categories
The BTF report showed that total sprinkler head sales fell by 135,518 units in 2024.
Residential sprinkler sales dropped from 184,645 units in 2023 to 121,657 in 2024, while conventional systems decreased from 607,941 to 535,411 units over the same period.
This marks the first year since 2019 in which both residential and conventional sprinkler installations fell concurrently.
According to the association, conventional systems accounted for 81% of all sprinkler installations in 2024, with residential units making up the remaining 19%.
Water mist now represents 6.1% of all nozzles sold
The combined total of sprinkler and water mist nozzles sold in Norway in 2024 was 700,078 units.
The Norwegian Fire Industry Association stated that water mist now accounts for 6.1% of all water-based fire protection nozzles sold nationally. This compares to just over 5% in 2023 and less than 1% when the data series began in 2013.
While sprinklers still dominate the overall market, the report noted a clear year-on-year increase in water mist’s market share. Water mist installations have grown by nearly 200% over the past decade.
The association credited continued supplier reporting as critical to maintaining an accurate overview of national sales figures.
Water mist installations increase across Norway in 2024: Summary
The International Water Mist Association reported that Norway recorded a 16.4% rise in water mist nozzle installations in 2024.
Data from the Norwegian Fire Industry Association showed 43,010 water mist nozzles were sold in total.
Of those, 31,865 were installed in residential properties.
This marked a 23.2% increase in residential water mist installations from the previous year.
Conventional water mist sales increased by 0.6% to 11,145 units.
Sprinkler head sales dropped to 657,068 units in 2024.
Residential sprinkler sales fell by 34.1%, down to 121,657 units.
Conventional sprinkler sales declined by 11.9% to 535,411 units.
Overall sprinkler installations dropped by 17.1%.
Water mist nozzles accounted for 6.1% of all water-based systems sold.
Sprinkler heads made up the remaining 93.9% of the total.
Combined, sprinkler and water mist nozzle sales reached 700,078 units.