Transcript Fire Chiefs Sprinkler Presentation. PPT

Residential Fire
Sprinklers
What is the leading cause of fire?
Men
 Women
 Children

Will we stop responding to
incidents?
Not likely!
Do you know these children?
Jordan Tinsley
John Tinsley
Benjamin Tinsley
Age 9
Age 7
Age 6
Died early morning
June 25, 2007, from
a house fire near
Texarkana, Texas.
2007 Year-to-Date Multiple Fatality
Fire Deaths
Fires
113
Deaths
431
Adults
197
Children
234
Fire Death and Injuries in
One- & Two-family Dwellings*
(Percentage of Residential)

Fire deaths:
83%

Fire injuries:
74%

Fire property damage:
83%

Fireground firefighter deaths: 70%
*2004 NFPA
More Fire Facts

Young children, older adults, and physically and
mentally challenged people face the highest risk of
injury or death in residential fires.

Too often, people fail to respond appropriately to
the sound of a smoke detector, because they
assume it is a false alarm. Rather that exiting the
building, they search to confirm the existence of a
fire, wasting the few precious minutes they may
have to escape.
Unlike what TV and movies show, only when
sufficient heat is present will a sprinkler
discharge water.
How safe are you?

80% of all fires start in the home. While most start during the
day, most fatal fires occur at night

Americans suffer an unwanted fire every 10 seconds

Every 74 seconds a fire is of enough magnitude to call the Fire
Dept.

More than 3,000 people died in fires in 2005.

19,300 people are injured in home fires each year

There is a 1 in 200 chance of fire in your home during your
lifetime
How does time affect the Fire
Department’s ability to deliver service?
Detection
Inception
of
Emergency
Report
of
Alarm
Receipt of
Alarm and
Dispatch
Not Directly Manageable by the
Fire Department
Reaction
and
Response
Time
Set Up
Manageable by
Fire Department
Application
of
Extinguishing
Agent
How does a home fire sprinklers’ discharge
compare to a fire hose attack line discharge?



A residential low flow pendant sprinkler head
delivers approximately 13 to 18 gallons per
minute of water
A fire hose attack line delivers 200 gallons per
minute (this does not include a backup line which
would double the flow of water)
Sprinkler systems
represent a choice, a little
water when the fire starts
or a lot of water when
the fire department
arrives
NFPA 13D Sprinkler systems
One / Two Family Dwellings

Average water usage for sprinklered home - 341 gallons

Average water usage for unsprinklered home 2935 gallons

Average repair costs for sprinklered home $2,166 dollars

Average repair costs for unsprinklered home $45,019 dollars

With both smoke detection and sprinklers,
death, injury by fire is reduced by 82%
NFPA 13 Systems

NFPA 13 systems are for commercial occupancies

Designed primarily for property conservation

The average sprinkler head discharges 25 to 35 gallons per minute

Sprinkler heads are located “everywhere” – attics, basements, crawl
spaces, closets and concealed spaces

Systems are designed for the flow of multiple heads (12-15 on
average)

Life safety is a byproduct of the system
NFPA 13D systems

Are designed for 1 and 2 family dwellings

Designed primarily for life safety only but will contain or frequently
extinguish the fire

The average sprinkler head discharges 13 to 18 gallons per minute

Sprinkler heads are located in paths of egress only – bedrooms,
hallways, kitchens, dining rooms and laundry rooms - none in attics,
crawl spaces, closets (size dependent) or bathrooms (size
dependent)

This coverage provides fire protection from 83% of all areas fire
originates

Systems are designed for the flow of 1 to 2 sprinkler heads
Types of Sprinklers
Commercial
Residential
Where is the sprinkler?
Multipurpose Systems




Part of the cold water loop in the house.
Reduces the chance of freezing.
Placing back into service after activation ensures
repair.
No additional backflow prevention.
Are Sprinkler Systems Effective?
“Green Effect”



Reduces the amount of water needed to
extinguish a fire.
Smoke production is minimal
Natural resources such as lumber is not needed
to rebuild the home
Myths & Facts
Myth: Sprinkler heads activate accidentally
Fact: 1 in 16,000,000 chance of accidental activation
Myth: All sprinklers go off
Fact: Sprinklers react to heat, only those exposed will
activate
Myth: Sprinkler heads will leak
Fact: Operate at the same water pressure as your plumbing but
tested 2-3 times higher at installation
Myth: Sprinklers are unsightly
Fact: Sprinklers can be recessed into the ceiling
Myths & Facts
Myth: Too expensive
Fact: Approx. 1%-2% of the home’s cost
Myth: They cause water damage
Fact: Damage is substantially less than damage caused by the fire
department if sprinklers are not present.
Myth: Residential fire sprinklers don’t save lives
Fact: There has not been a fatality in a home with residential fire
sprinklers in Napa, CA or Cobb County, GA. Scottsdale,
AZ credits sprinklers for saving 52 lives since 1985 when an
ordinance was enacted.
Update
Residential Sprinkler Committee
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1.
2.
3.
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5.
6.
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NC Fire Marshals Assoc
NC State Firemen’s Association
NC Association of Fire Chiefs
NC County Fire Marshals Association
NC IAAI
NC Building Inspectors Association
NC Home Sprinkler Alliance – Educational
Component
Working to create a new limited license for plumbers
to install and design residential systems.
Questions?