Sprinklers Cut Loss From Fires at Home and Work: Fire Sprinklers Reduce Chances of Loss of Life and Property by More Than 50%

GREENSBORO, N.C., Jan. 27 /PRNewswire/ --
American Fire Sprinkler Association today issued the following:
In moments a fire can engulf a residence or business, leaving only the swift and able-bodied with a chance to escape. Blinding smoke and searing heat make it difficult or impossible to reach doors, windows and stairways. Often people don't respond quickly enough to smoke detector alarms or expect them to be false alarms, as in last week's dormitory fire at Seton Hall University.

During the months of January and February, which have the highest average incidence of fires, North Carolina fire safety experts are encouraging the installation of fire sprinklers in all residential and commercial buildings in addition to smoke detectors.

Every 21 minutes a North Carolina fire department responds to an actual fire. Although fires often start in an instant, they can be contained and stopped with the proper equipment. With today's new advances, it's easier than ever to protect life and property.

``In a residential setting, if you wake up and smell smoke, you have seconds to get out of the building. Not minutes, seconds,'' says Julie Reynolds, spokeswoman for the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). ``Smoke detectors are there to alert people to a fire, but will do nothing to put a fire out.''

Fire sprinklers control or extinguish fires in two minutes or less so all individuals may escape or avoid the threat entirely. ``Smoke alarms provide an early warning, but people must act on that immediately. Sprinklers can save their lives even if they don't do anything. We encourage people to install both which gives them an early warning and intervention at the incipient stage of the fire,'' adds Reynolds.

According to a study by the National Fire Protection Association, the estimated impact of sprinkler systems is a 65% reduction in death rate in private residences. Fire sprinkler systems reduce the death rate by 69% in stores and offices and by 73% in health care properties that care for the aged or sick. When sprinklers are present, the average property loss is cut by one-half to two-thirds. The NFPA report states, ``It's clear that having automatic suppression equipment present during a fire is a smart choice. That's why they are growing in popularity across the country.'' More than 200 communities around the country now require fire sprinkler systems in new residential construction.

In a new home, the investment for a fire sprinkler system is equivalent to upgrading to a better quality carpet -- about $1.00 to $1.50 per square foot. Costs for retrofitting in an existing home vary according to the structure. Some homeowners concentrate on potential trouble spots, such as the utility room, kitchen, chimney area and garage. Many insurance companies offer a reduction in
premiums to homeowners who install fire sprinkler systems.

Although fire sprinklers have been protecting lives and property for more than a century, recent advances in technology have made them more affordable and attractive for home installations.

Fire sprinkler heads can now be concealed behind ceilings, out of sight until needed to extinguish a fire. Sprinklers are also available in a range of colors and sizes to blend into the background.

Commercial fire sprinkler systems, such as in offices, manufacturing facilities, warehouses, malls and hotels have also benefited from technological advances. Newly developed sprinkler heads can cover three times the area of previous styles. ``New pipe materials that simplify installation have further increased efficiency,'' says Steve Hensley, president of the Carolinas Chapter of the American Fire Sprinkler Association. ``Some businesses, such as high-tech or biomedical firms, may have inventory or equipment worth hundreds of thousands of dollars in each square foot of their facility. They depend on fire sprinklers to control fires immediately and to greatly reduce injuries and damage.''

Because sprinkler systems can put out a fire before it spreads, they minimize water damage. Quick response sprinklers release a fraction of the water used by firefighters to extinguish a blaze. A sprinkler head releases 8-24 gallons of water per minute compared to 100-200 gallons per minute released by a fire hose. Many fires can be controlled with just one sprinkler head and 90% of all fires are controlled with six or fewer sprinkler heads. The odds are one in 16 million per year that a sprinkler will accidentally discharge.

Fire sprinkler systems are present in 60% or more of high-rise offices buildings, high-rise hotels, and facilities that care for the aged and for the sick. However, usage is less than 25% for educational properties, apartments, stores and offices. In a commercial building fire sprinklers can make a critical difference in business operations, enabling the business to continue functioning. Although companies in larger office buildings have the benefit of fire sprinklers, smaller companies are often at risk. ``Small business owners need to add fire sprinklers to protect themselves and their employees and to prevent their hard earned success from going up in flames,'' says Tom Waller, Executive Director of the Carolinas Chapter of the American Fire Sprinkler Association.

Sprinkler systems in commercial structures should be reevaluated as changes are made in the facilities. The State of North Carolina requires that commercial sprinkler systems be inspected each year. Building occupants should check for obstructions, closed valves, and proper fire alarm equipment. Home sprinkler systems require little maintenance and last the life of the house.

For more information about fire sprinklers, contact the American Fire Sprinkler Association at 214-349-5965 or www.sprinklernet.org , the National Fire Protection Association at 800-344-3555 or www.nfpa.org , the Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition at 888-635-7222 or www.firesprinkler.org/nfsc or your local fire department.

References: ``U.S. Experience with Sprinklers: Who Has Them? How Well Do They Work?'' Fire Analysis and Research Division, National Fire Protection Association, October 1998
Fire In North Carolina 1998, Commissioner Jim Long, State Fire Marshall

CONTACT: Meryl Mullane, 336-545-8838, or Steve Hensley, 336-373-3901, ext. 201, both for American Fire Sprinkler Association, Carolinas Chapter
SOURCE: American Fire Sprinkler Association, Carolinas Chapter