firesprinkler.tv Fire sprinkler

Approximately 40 homes in Cheshire are already equipped with fire suppression sprinkler systems, but that number was increased recently when a development was completed in town and local fire department authorities are applauding the action.
“There are certain criteria that has to be met to require residential sprinklers,” explained Cheshire Fire Chief Jack Casner. “But the majority of fire deaths occur in one and two family homes.”
In 2007, there were more than 400,000 residential structure fires that resulted in more than 2,600 deaths and nearly five times as many injuries. With over $7 billion worth of fire damage caused nationally in 2007, Casner believes those numbers could have been greatly reduced if residential sprinklers were prevalent in many homes.
“This could be the answer because new or old houses still burn,” Casner said. “Sprinklers can bridge the lag time from the call to our arrival on the scene. Sprinklers help keep the fire in check and a family could escape.”
Local developer Phillip Bowman recently completed “Cook Hill Crossing,” a three-lot subdivision off of Cook Hill Road. He installed sprinklers in each one of the homes and consulted with the fire department throughout the entire process. He had the option of extending the water mains and installing fire hydrants, but because of the deep access to one of the homes, sprinklers would have been required anyway, Bowman said. The sprinklers are not noticeable from the walls or ceilings because the heads are covered with a plate and will only shoot out when the temperature hits 135 degrees.
According to the United States Fire Administration, adding a sprinkler system in new construction could cost between $1 and $2 a square foot. For a 2,000 square foot home, a system would cost an additional $2,000 to $4,000. For homeowners, insurance benefits can be obtained by having fire suppression sprinklers. Bowman said it “wasn’t overly expensive” to add the sprinklers, but added that it “wasn’t cheap either.”
“It’s not that big of a deal from an installation standpoint, there are just extra costs,” Bowman said. “However, (the cost) is not really a (project) killer.”
Casner said Bowman was “one of the first developers to talk specifics” with the department, which proved to be beneficial during the process.
“There are still a lot of myths out there about sprinklers, like, if one goes off they all go off soaking the entire house. That’s only in Hollywood.” Casner explained. “Sprinklers might not extinguish the fire, but they buy time to get you out of the house. They save lives.”
Fire Marshall Jeff Boland said sprinkler systems are a “big deal” and are second to residential fire safety only to smoke detectors. Boland explained that there were currently no federal or state building codes or mandates for developers to install sprinklers, but a change could be on the horizon. An addition in 2008 to the International Residential Code requires new one or two family homes to be equipped with fire suppression sprinklers, but the state is still relying on the 2003 regulations, Boland explained. There is a contingent of lobbyists against the regulation and believe it should be voluntary, not mandatory, to install the sprinklers.
“It’s always been voluntary,” Boland said. “It’s not a law, it’s just a standard.”
Casner said that, when a new home is being constructed, owners usually think of the niceties, such a marble counter tops and hardwood flooring, but for a fraction of that price, sprinklers could be installed and might save their lives. Casner said sprinklers are required in schools, hospitals, museums, and other commercial buildings, but doesn’t understand why they couldn’t be installed in residential properties.
“There are so many options and things to spend money on, people should think about spending the money on sprinklers,” Casner said. “Most structure fires are residential, so sprinklers provide another level of comfort. For what they cost, it’s a relatively small price to pay.”
Bowman added that anytime an addition like sprinklers is added to a home, the cost is built into the sale price or “the builder eats it.” He said he has heard of potential changes to the code and hoped that people would educate themselves on residential sprinkler systems before making decisions.
“The costs are passed on but, at the same time, looking at the big picture, all it takes is for someone’s life to be saved and it will all be worth it,” Bowman said. “At the end of the day, that’s what really matters. They are being put in for a good reason.”

A last-minute amendment to a plumber licensing bill during the latest session of the Texas Legislature is pitting fire chiefs against homebuilders.

And, Gov. Rick Perry is caught right in the middle.

Sealy Fire Chief Joey Schmidt, along with about 25 other Texas fire chiefs, traveled to Austin this week in attempts to draw attention to the amendment, authored by Rep. John Otto, R-Dayton. The amendment would do away with a municipality’s right to require sprinkler systems in single- and two-family homes after Jan. 1, 2009, if signed into law by Perry.

Schmidt and the fire chiefs, including the Austin and Dallas fire chiefs, called on Perry to veto the bill at a news conference Monday, while standing across from the fire-damaged Governor’s Mansion.

“This bill is taking the cities’ rights away in Texas, whether they want to require having the sprinklers in new homes or not,” Schmidt said.

While Sealy does not have a local policy on the books regarding sprinkler systems within new homes, it does usually adopt the International Building Code each year, Schmidt said. The 2009 version requires that all single-family dwellings have a fire sprinkler system in place. If Perry signs the bill into law, any ordinances passed by municipalities this year adopting the building code would be null.

“If this bill is signed into law, the city would not be able to enforce that part of the building code,” Schmidt said. “There are contractors out there that are fighting this. So far, they are winning.”

Otto has said the choice should be left to homeowners. Supporters of the legislation take issue with the additional cost of installing sprinkler systems within homes, not their effectiveness.

Still, Schmidt said safety should prevail.

“Fire sprinkler systems are important. It’s proven that they save lives,” he said. “There’s never been a multiple loss of life in a building with sprinklers.”

Schmidt estimated it costs about $1.65 per square foot to install a sprinkler system during construction. The amendment does allow local governments to require homebuilders offer installing systems to homebuyers for a fee.

The amendment does not affect requirements for commercial establishments.

The last day for Perry to veto the bill is June 21.

The National Fire Sprinkler Association (NFSA), the longest-tenured fire sprinkler advocacy organization in the U.S., announces it won a Public Relations Society of America New Jersey Chapter “Pyramid Award” for its Fire Sprinkler Design Technician Recruitment Video, targeting entry-level workers to join the fire sprinkler industry.

The annual awards program recognizes companies and public relations firms for their exceptional performance generating public relations visions, strategies, and programs that result in measurable return for their client’s brands and bottom lines. The technician recruitment video project was lead by NFSA’s Technician Recruitment Committee, co-chaired by Terry Victor of SimplexGrinnell and Alan Wiginton of Wiginton Fire Systems; and NFSA’s public relations agency, R&J Public Relations.

“As fire sprinklers have become more accepted among the general public, the need for trained fire sprinkler technicians has grown among fire sprinkler contractors,” said John Viniello, president of NFSA. “To spearhead an industry effort to fill this need, NFSA developed an educational video to increase interest in the field while educating and engaging new talent. We are very proud this tool is recognized by the communications industry as an effective product to help recruit new professionals to our life- and property-saving industry.”

The Public Relations Society of America strives to advance the standards of the public relations profession through the sharing of best practices, forums and professional development, showcasing the Pyramid Awards to recognize agencies and companies that advance the industry through successful programs and results.

The winning video can be viewed at www.youtube.com/watch?v=agYnQp3Q0os.

About the National Fire Sprinkler Association
Established in 1905, the National Fire Sprinkler Association (NFSA) is the voice of the fire sprinkler industry. NFSA leads the drive to get life-saving fire sprinklers into all buildings; provides support and resources for its members - fire sprinkler contractors, manufacturers and suppliers; and educates authorities having jurisdiction of fire control matters. Headquartered in Patterson, N.Y., NFSA has regional operations offices throughout the country. www.nfsa.org.

The incorporation of amendment RB64-07/08 in the International Residential Code (IRC) for fire sprinklers to be installed in all single family homes constructed after January 1, 2011 will have a dramatic impact on the demand for qualified design and installation technicians. In addition, the demand for licensed contractors will experience a corresponding rise since most states and jurisdictions have some form of contractor licensing requirements.

It is estimated nationally that approximately 7500 firms were actively engaged in fire sprinkler contracting during 2008. The vast majority of these entities were of the cottage variety with average annual revenues of $1 million and less than 10 full-time employees. Industry data indicates that approximately 42 million sprinklers were installed in 2008 with less than 1 million of these in single family homes. Estimates indicate that there are presently 15,000 trained installation technicians serving the fire sprinkler industry and the vast majority are focused on commercial applications. As the 2009 IRC is adopted by various states and local jurisdictions, the numbers of qualified contractors and trained labor needed will stretch the available resources to the point where demand will far outstrip the available supply.

Using HUD’s 40 year average for new single family home construction and considering when the code requirement will be adopted by virtually all jurisdictions, it is estimated over 7000 additional trained installation technicians will be needed to meet the increased demand. However, even when conservatively assuming that only one-half of the new homes are sprinklered, the number is still over 3000 additional technicians. The plumbing industry is well positioned to supply a good part of this demand for skilled labor. Sprinkler systems are essentially a piping system equipped with nozzles (fire sprinklers) having specific installation criteria. The average plumber can quickly develop the skills needed to install fire sprinkler systems. In fact, it is expected that the majority of single family residential fire sprinkler systems will be combined with the domestic systems and, in reality, the plumbing contractor is the only choice to effectively install these systems.

Even with the historically low numbers of single family residences under construction in the current economic downturn, this is a billion dollar opportunity that the prudent plumbing contractor cannot ignore. However, there are barriers to entry. Licensing, insurance, and access to training programs are the most daunting, but all can be overcome.

Entities installing fire sprinkler systems are required to be licensed contractors in most states. Just as with plumbing, the requirements run the gamut. Some states are as simple as filling out an application and paying a fee while, at the other end of the spectrum, there are states that require years of experience, exams, and certifications in fire protection technology. Fire Smarts, LLC, in partnership with the PHCC, is developing resources specifically to help plumbing contractors sort out these differences and identify licensing requirements for the states they service. One movement that is already underway is creating a license that is specific to residential fire sprinkler systems to recognize the simpler design issues and the economy of having plumbing contractors involved in the market. The states of Washington, Texas, South Carolina and Georgia among others are examples of states that have already created, or are considering creating, this separate category.

Insurance is a barrier that the market place will address. There are reports that plumbing contractors who contacted their brokers have been quoted extravagant premiums when adding fire sprinkler installation to their business coverage. Others report that some insurance carriers are beginning to extend coverage for fire sprinkler installation provided that a qualified third party is supplying an approved system design. The demand for this insurance will open the insurance market and the carriers will meet the demand as the market expands. In the meantime, in regions where residential fire sprinkler systems are common such as California and Nevada, the general contractors have rolled the fire sprinkler contractor’s protection under their umbrella when the contractor was not able to bind coverage.

A sprinkler system is being credited for quickly extinguishing a small fire Tuesday morning at a 44 Maple St. building that houses three businesses.

Firefighters responded to the scene at around 6:51 a.m. for a report of an extinguished fire. The fire started in the area of a trash can located inside Anderson Architectural Products.

Firefighters determined the cause of the blaze was accidental from improper disposal of wood finishing materials, caused when the materials experienced a slow building spontaneous heating process resulting in the ignition of the fire.

In a statement, firefighters urged that these materials be placed in a sealed, water-filled metal container to prevent spontaneous heating.

“It is believed that without the fire suppression sprinkler system, this building would have sustained major fire damage requiring a lengthy repair, and could have possibly spread to other adjacent buildings,” the statement said.

The building is owned by Dennis Ciotti of Dennis Ciotti Racing Products and was able to remain open on Tuesday.

Firefighters spent 45 minutes on scene assisting in water removal and cleanup.

Two new reports, produced by BRE Global experts, have just been published:

• Automatic Fire Sprinkler Systems - A good practice guide and
• Sprinkler Systems Explained - A guide to sprinkler installation standards and rules

Both publications provide good practice guidance on designing, installing, commissioning and maintaining fire sprinkler systems to ensure performance in the event of a fire.

1 Automatic fire sprinkler systems: A good practice guide

Automatic fire sprinkler systems are a well established technology and have demonstrated their reliability and effectiveness over many years in reducing risk to life and property damage from fire.

This publication provides good practice guidance so that reliable and effective sprinkler systems are designed, installed, commissioned, and maintained to ensure they fulfil their purpose in the event of a fire.

The guide covers a range of issues related to existing, new and novel automatic sprinkler systems including: relevant UK standards, design, installation and maintenance issues.

2 Sprinkler Systems Explained: A guide to sprinkler installation standards and rules

Based on over 100 years of events and evolution the standards upon which sprinkler systems are designed and installed seek to protect people and property in the event of fire. Almost every eventuality is addressed to make sprinkler systems as reliable as possible.

This guide provides an aid to understanding fire sprinkler installations and the LPC Rules for Automatic Sprinkler Installations to which they are designed. It explains the engineering principles behind the rules and regulations, some common misunderstandings about sprinkler systems, and a side-by-side comparison between the LPC Rules and the NFPA standards.

The calls have all been similar pranks: A frantic man urges hotel desk workers or guests to set off a fire sprinkler, sound an alarm or bust windows. It’s always the same: Do it now!

And, authorities said Thursday, they did. Eight cases have been reported in four states in recent days, and authorities say felony charges could be filed against whoever is making the calls.

In Alabama, a Marine roused from his sleep got “knocked silly” by a blast of water after being persuaded to set off the sprinkler in his room; there was no fire.

A motel in Arkansas sustained $50,000 in damage when a worker fell for a similar ruse.

A man was even convinced to drive his truck through a door of a hotel lobby in Nebraska, supposedly to turn off a fire alarm. And in California, a duped worker activated a sprinkler at the front desk, dousing computers, phones and other electrical equipment.

“It’s happening all over,” said Fire Marshal Ed Paulk of Alabama, where four hotels have been targeted by the calls since last week, resulting in thousands of dollars in damage. “We’re actively trying to track this and find out who is doing this.”

The general manager of a Comfort Suites in Daphne near the Alabama coast, Rupesh Desai, said a prank call about a fire alarm resulted in $10,000 in water damage last Friday.

Around the same time, he said, a caller convinced guests to bust windows at a sister hotel in Saraland, about 25 miles away, because of a natural gas leak that didn’t exist.

“In my hotel experience I’ve never heard of anything like this,” Desai said.

Trying to prevent more people from being fooled, trade groups are telling member companies and hotels to remind workers about basic emergency procedures like calling managers or security companies before doing anything drastic like setting off fire suppression sprinklers.

“No employees should be doing things like this without checking with someone,” said Namara Mercer, executive director of the San Diego County Hotel-Motel Association in San Diego, Calif.

Paulk said investigators suspect more than one person is behind the calls, and some could be inspired by Internet sites about phone pranks.

In York, Neb., Police Chief Don Klug said a man with a deep voice phoned a Hampton Inn around midnight on May 27 and scared a desk worker into pulling a fire alarm. During the confusion, the caller then convinced the worker the only way to silence the noise was to break lobby windows.

“A trucker was standing there, and he offered to help and drove his truck through the front door,” said Klug. The damage was estimated at $300, he said.

Desai, the Alabama hotel manager, said seven rooms were flooded when a caller got the sleeping Marine to set off the sprinkler in his room.

“He was knocked silly by the force of the water,” said Desai. “He was not a dummy, he just woke up in the middle of the night not realizing what was going on.”

Six other guests also got the calls but did nothing, he said.

A couple hours later in San Luis Obispo, Calif., a worker caused major damage by following a caller’s instructions to activate a sprinkler at the front desk of a Comfort Inn and Suites.

And in Conway, Ark., a caller convinced a worker at a Holiday Inn Express to set off an audible fire alarm and, with help from a guest, broke windows in an attempt to turn it off. She also was duped into turning on a sprinkler, flooding the lobby and causing major damage; about 150 guests were in the parking lot when police arrived.

A Holiday Inn Express in Little Rock, Ark., got a similar call around the same time, a police report said, but no one fell for the prank there.

The Alabama fire marshall said whoever’s making the calls could face jail time.

“It’s gotten to be the latest fad, but at some point someone is going to be caught,” he said.

Snohomish County Fire District 7 responded to a report of a roof fire in the 5100 block of 176th St. SE (unincorporated Bothell). Upon arrival, crews found flames coming from nearly 50 percent of the roof.

Wind fueled the fire, making it difficult to manage. Crews spent 90 minutes getting the quick spreading fire under control. The homeowner called 911 after seeing smoke coming from the roof. The owners, two of their children and a dog evacuated immediately.

Two cats were later saved by fire crews from inside the home. Crews were also able to save a classic car and a BMW from the garage, as well as salvaging other family memorabilia from inside the home. The Snohomish County Fire Marshals Office is still investigating, but the fire is believed to have started from fireworks. The homeowners and neighbors had heard fireworks throughout the day on the street behind the home.

The preliminary damage assessment values the loss of the structure at 1.2 million and the contents at $800,000. Overall, 30 fire personnel responded including two units from Snohomish County Fire District 26. Crews from Monroe Fire District 3 and Snohomish County Fire District 1 moved into Fire District 7 to help cover other calls during the fire. Fire District 7 urges citizens to use extreme caution this Fourth of July; keep it safe and legal!

In unincorporated Snohomish County, legal fireworks can only be discharged on July 4 from 9 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. For more information on professional displays in Washington, legal vs. illegal fireworks, and safety tips, visit www.firedistrict7.com. Fire District 7 would also like citizens to be aware that home fire sprinklers can protect against significant property loss.

According to the Washington Sprinkler Coalition, sprinklers reduce the average property loss by 50 to 66 percent per fire.

For more information on home fire sprinklers, visit www.firesprinklerinitiative.org.

For more information on Snohomish County Fire District 7, visit www.firedistrict7.com, or contact Public Information Officer Autumn Waite at 360-282-3956 or awaite@firedistrict7.com.

A county jail near Boston has been evacuated after officials say a group of inmates broke the sprinkler system and flooded the building.

Middlesex County Sheriff James DiPaola says several inmates at the Middlesex Jail in Cambridge became unruly Sunday morning after 15 of them were sent to area hospitals with flu-like symptoms.

DiPaola says some inmates broke the fire suppression system, setting off the sprinklers.

The Cambridge Fire Department asked the sheriff’s office to turn off the building’s power, and officials began evacuating the inmates by bus to other facilities.

It was not immediately clear where they were headed, or how long the jail would be closed.

The jail originally was built to house 160 prisoners, but has housed up to 400.

A statewide mandate requiring fire sprinklers to be installed in single-family homes has sparked a heated debate, dividing firefighters and homebuilders throughout Virginia.

At a September meeting, the International Code Commission approved various codes, including one calling for the installation of a fire sprinkler system in new one- and two-family homes.

States have the option of adopting the code in full, or in part. In this case, the Virginia Board of Housing and Community Development has chosen at this point to strike the sprinkler requirement from the code.

But the board’s decision isn’t final. Residents can still give feedback before the panel meets July 27 to vote on proposed code regulations that would take effect in 2010.

Capt. Arthur Miller, a fire marshal with the Harrisonburg Fire Department, has been fighting to get the mandate reinstated into the code.

“There has never been a multiple fatality fire in the history of mankind in a building with sprinklers,” said Miller, adding that it costs between $1 and $2 per square foot to install a system in a new home. “It’s a huge opportunity to save lives and property, while protecting firefighters.”

Capt. John Huddle, a fire marshal with Rockingham County Fire and Rescue, also supports the mandate, saying safety should come first.

“They’ve proven themselves to be a life-saving measure,” Huddle said. “The biggest advantage of a sprinkler system is that they will react to a fire and combat the fire even before the fire department is dispatched. Smoke alarms only alert.”

Builders Fight Mandate

While firefighters support the measure, homebuilders across Virginia have been crying foul since the ICC approved the measure during its conference held last fall in Minnesota.

The ICC bills itself as a membership association dedicated to building safety and fire prevention. The codes the commission develops for residential and commercial buildings are adopted by most U.S. cities, counties and states.

But the Home Builders Association of Virginia questions the vote’s validity, saying that sprinkler manufacturers paid the travel expenses of firefighters eligible to vote at the conference.

While the association has been claiming the firefighters “hijacked” the vote, it also has been leading an effort against the sprinkler mandate in Virginia.

Barrett Hardiman, director of regulatory affairs for the organization, said cost is a big factor.

“We haven’t seen the benefit from the added cost,” said Hardiman, adding that fire sprinklers should remain optional for new homebuyers.

Both the homebuilders association and firefighters have been marketing their beliefs to Virginia residents.

The homebuilders created a list of “10 Reasons Why Mandating Fire Sprinklers Makes No Sense For Virginia,” which the association has advertised prominently on its Web site.

In the list, the organization says that better-built homes and improved smoke alarms, such as a hard-wired, interconnected system installed throughout a house, are better options for saving lives.

While the homebuilders take aim at the firefighters, the firefighters are responding by sending out e-mails.