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Single residential sprinkler extinguishes fire in apartment building
Fosters.com reports that a single residential fire sprinkler put out a fire caused by unattended cooking in Rochester, NH, avoiding a potential three-story building fire. The article says firefighters were called to the scene just before 4 p.m. for the report of a kitchen fire. According to officials, the fire was out before they arrived due to the activation of the residential fire sprinkler in the unit. “The sprinkler system did its job, not only saving the building, but also the residents,” said Deputy Fire Chief Peter Cutrer. The sprinkler caused minimal water damage to the building, displacing residents of... Continue reading
Posted Dec 27, 2013 at NFPA's Fire Sprinkler Initiative
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A tale of two Christmas tree fires: One with sprinklers, the other without
Last week, two separate Christmas tree fires were reported by Northshore News in North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; and South Carolina's The State, with vastly different outcomes. The home's fire sprinklers controlled the first fire and no one was hurt; the other fire was caused the death of two precious children. The City of North Vancouver Fire Department responded to a townhouse fire to find the home's fire sprinkler system had extinguished it. “Luckily the townhouse unit has a sprinkler system in the building,” said fire chief Dan Pistilli. The tree ignited when the homeowner lit a sparkler for their... Continue reading
Posted Dec 20, 2013 at NFPA's Fire Sprinkler Initiative
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Illinois builder installs fire sprinklers in his new home.
When custom homebuilder Bill McNaughton chose to build his family’s new 3,800+ square-foot custom home in Western Springs, Illinois, it was a “no-brainer” for him to install a fire sprinkler system as reported by the Northern Illinois Fire Sprinkler Advisory Board (NIFSAB). He wanted to be sure that his wife Jennifer, and their 19-month-old son William, are protected when he's not home. According to the article, McNaughton gained experience with residential fire sprinklers by building custom homes in neighboring Clarendon Hills, a community that has required fire sprinklers in all new home construction since August 2000. While some homebuilders believe... Continue reading
Posted Dec 19, 2013 at NFPA's Fire Sprinkler Initiative
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Habitat house in Salina, Kansas to feature residential fire sprinkler system
Salina.com reports that a Salina Habitat for Humanity house will be equipped with fire sprinklers. It will be the first Habitat house in the state to feature a sprinkler system. The public has been invited to an open house. According to the report Salina Fire Department fire marshal Roger Williams said he made a presentation to the Habitat board in 2011 about how residential fire sprinklers work. The board and fire department worked toward installing a sprinkler system in Salina's 35th Habitat house, which is under construction. Bamford Fire Sprinkler partnered with Habitat to provide the materials and installation of... Continue reading
Posted Dec 12, 2013 at NFPA's Fire Sprinkler Initiative
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Carpenter apprentices learn valuable lessons about home fire sprinklers
Students from the Detroit Carpenters Apprenticeship School in Ferndale, Michigan got a first-hand lesson in fire prevention when they took part in classroom instruction and a side-by-side, live burn demonstration, provided by the Ferndale Fire Department. The fire department participates in the Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition (HFSC) Built-for-Life fire department program and received a stipend from HFSC to conduct the program. Eighteen apprentices and staff, led by eight firefighters built the units that were used to demonstrate the effectiveness and efficiency of home fire sprinklers. One unit was equipped with a smoke alarm and a fire sprinkler; the second unit... Continue reading
Posted Dec 11, 2013 at NFPA's Fire Sprinkler Initiative
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NFPA holds webinar on antifreeze in fire sprinkler systems
Recently, NFPA invited state fire marshals to participate in a webinar that explored the history of antifreeze in fire sprinkler systems, safety alerts, final disposition by the standards council and the requirements found in the 2013 editions of NFPA 13, NFPA 13D and NFPA13R standards. Matt Klaus, Senior Fire Protection Engineer at NFPA, answered questions from state fire marshals regarding the TIAs and new requirements mandating the use of listed antifreeze solution for all new NFPA 13, NFPA 13R, or 13D sprinkler systems. He says these documents no longer allow the use of "traditional" antifreeze solutions such as propylene glycol... Continue reading
Posted Dec 9, 2013 at NFPA's Fire Sprinkler Initiative
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Angie’s List founder promotes home fire sprinklers
Angie Hicks, founder of Angie's List, a resource for local consumer reviews on everything from home repair to health care, has written an article titled Living Smart: Home fire sprinkler systems. The article has been picked up by The Miami Herald, The Sacramento Bee and several other media outlets. “If you really want to keep your home and the people and property in it as safe as possible from fire, consider a residential sprinkler system,” says Ms. Hicks. She cites home fire death statistics from the U.S. Fire Administration, the cost of home fire sprinklers from the National Fire Protection... Continue reading
Posted Dec 5, 2013 at NFPA's Fire Sprinkler Initiative
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Fire sprinklers save home from fire while residents were away
Seacoast online has reported that a Thanksgiving eve fire at a Portsmouth, NH home was sparked by a lamp and displaced the residents. According to the report, Deputy Fire Chief Carl Roediger said that sprinklers “saved the house.” Firefighters were called to the home at about 9 p.m. when one of the residents said he just returned home and found his couch on fire. The fire had been “pretty much put out” by the residential sprinkler system and firefighters removed the smoldering couch from the home, according to the deputy chief. “It once again points out the value of residential... Continue reading
Posted Dec 4, 2013 at NFPA's Fire Sprinkler Initiative
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The Village of Westchester, Illinois adopts home fire sprinkler requirements
The Northern Illinois Fire Sprinkler Advisory Board (NIFSAB) announced that the Village of Westchester has updated its building code, which included a requirement for fire sprinkler systems in new construction single-family homes. According to NIFSAB, “with the passage, Westchester is now one of 91 Illinois communities with home fire sprinkler requirements, resulting in safer homes for residents and responding firefighters alike.” Tom Lia, Executive Director of NIFSAB notes that “the decision to require home fire sprinklers not only makes sense in terms of life safety, but also financially for residents and communities.”. Visit the Illinois Fire Sprinkler Coalition site for... Continue reading
Posted Nov 27, 2013 at NFPA's Fire Sprinkler Initiative
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Residential fire sprinkler fights Waterloo, Iowa apartment fire
As reported on WKKL.com, a sprinkler system at Pineview Apartments in Waterloo is being credited for keeping a fire from spreading to other apartments. The fire was reported around 2:30 p.m. Fire officials said no one was inside at the time and believe the fire started on a couch in the apartment. The fire was contained to one room on the second floor, thanks to the building's sprinkler system. Residential fire sprinklers save lives and property and protect the environment, as evidenced by the following side-by-side live burn demonstration: Subscribe for free today Related articles Apartment fire kept in check... Continue reading
Posted Nov 25, 2013 at NFPA's Fire Sprinkler Initiative
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Lightweight construction presentation provides talking points for article
"There's not a fire department in the world that can respond to your home and rescue you in that time," The threats of lightweight construction and modern home contents have been highlighted here for some time. Extensive coverage of the issue has now piqued the curiosity of the media, and they are asking questions. A couple of weeks ago I was contacted via e-mail by Deputy Chief Borry of the Manheim Township Fire Department in Pennsylvania who wrote, “our department has been asked to provide an interview to our local newspaper on the hazards of lightweight construction…” He asked for... Continue reading
Posted Nov 24, 2013 at NFPA's Fire Sprinkler Initiative
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Massachusetts considering bill allowing local jurisdiction to adopt residential fire sprinkler requirements
State Representative Ruth Balser has filed bill H2121, that would allow municipalities to adopt regulations requiring the installation of sprinklers in new residential buildings with two or more units and in buildings that are “substantially rehabilitated.” WWLP News reports that Massachusetts firefighters are supporting the legislation and lawmakers heard emotional testimony from fire survivors who wondered how their lives might have been different if sprinklers had protected them. “There’s no doubt that sprinklers are a safer option to help firefighters suppress fires and hold them in check until we can get there,” said Mario Orangio, former president of the Fire... Continue reading
Posted Nov 22, 2013 at NFPA's Fire Sprinkler Initiative
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FSI participates in National League of Cities Congress and Expo
The National League of Cities recently held its annual Congress of Cities and Exposition at the Seattle Convention Center and the Fire Sprinkler Initiative (FSI) participated as an exhibitor. The participation of FSI at these conferences helps us reach a large, diverse number of public officials with the home fire sprinkler message. The information disseminated by FSI during this exhibit will enable decision makers to go back to their jurisdictions with the information needed to adopt home fire sprinkler requirements in new one- and two-family home construction in their communities. Mesa, AZ councilman Scott Somers, a great supporter of home... Continue reading
Posted Nov 15, 2013 at NFPA's Fire Sprinkler Initiative
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Partnering for Prevention: Reaching out to diverse communities
Educating consumers about home fire sprinklers is difficult, despite all the free educational materials available from the Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition. Reaching out to diverse communities with the message requires special skill, and obtaining “buy-in” from these members of your community may be the key to winning the battle for home fire sprinkler requirements. Partnering For Prevention™, a free online training program has become available. The online training was developed in partnership with the National Association of State Fire Marshals (NASFM), the International Association of Fire Marshals (IFMA), Vision 20/20, and Renton Fire & Emergency Services Department. The program was... Continue reading
Posted Nov 15, 2013 at NFPA's Fire Sprinkler Initiative
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Successful fire sprinkler activation saves Bothell, WA home
The City of Bothell Fire and E.M.S. informs that at approximately 3 a.m. on November 3rd, firefighters responded to an automatic fire alarm in a single family home. Upon arrival, firefighters found the fire sprinkler system had activated and extinguished the fire while homeowners were away. The homeowners accidently left a candle burning when they left the home. Fire sprinklers prevented the fire from spreading. The fire code for this development required residential sprinklers and the residence would have likely sustained extensive fire damage if the sprinkler system was not installed. The City of Bothell Fire and E.M.S. strongly urges... Continue reading
Posted Nov 14, 2013 at NFPA's Fire Sprinkler Initiative
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Allstate recommends installation of fire sprinklers in the home to reduce damage.
Kudos to Allstate for recommending home fire sprinklers on its website. The information provided by the fourth largest property and casualty insurance company leaves no doubt that it promotes residential sprinklers as a way to reduce damage during a fire. Citing the U.S. fire problem and stating that home fire sprinklers are “tough on fires and smart about water damage” Allstate advices homeowners to consider fire sprinklers as one of three fire safety devices and tools for fire damage prevention. The site states; “Even though most homes have at least one smoke alarm, homeowners may be surprised to learn that... Continue reading
Posted Nov 13, 2013 at NFPA's Fire Sprinkler Initiative
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South Carolina city waives permit fees for homeowners installing fire sprinklers
Citing concern “with the need to provide ample fire protection to the citizens and their property” the City of Hartsville, South Carolina has passed a resolution providing incentives to homeowners who install fire sprinklers. The city will be waiving permit fees for newly constructed homes, with a cap of $1,200, and other incentives to subdivisions installing automatic fire sprinklers. With this resolution the mayor and council authorize the city manager to implement a policy to waive permit fees “for those homes not required under current code to install automatic fire sprinkler systems.” The resolution was passed during a meeting on... Continue reading
Posted Nov 13, 2013 at NFPA's Fire Sprinkler Initiative
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Live burn in Massachusetts highlights importance of home fire sprinklers
On Friday, November 8, 2013 Massachusetts state and local officials gathered at the Brockton (MA) Fairgrounds to witness a residential fire sprinkler demonstration arranged by the Massachusetts Fire Sprinkler Coalition and the Brockton Fire Department. The event was attended by members of the General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, including; Senator Thomas Kennedy and Representatives Michael Brady, Co-Chair of the Joint Committee on Public Safety; Geoffrey Diehl, Angelo L. D’Emilia and Ruth B. Balser, sponsor of HB 2121 – a bill to require fire sprinklers in all new one- and two-family dwellings – and many other public officials. The... Continue reading
Posted Nov 12, 2013 at NFPA's Fire Sprinkler Initiative
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Nearly half of all firefighter injuries in 2012 occurred during fireground operations
NFPA released the latest edition of its Firefighter Injuries in the United States report, highlighting statistics on line-of-duty firefighter injuries in 2012 from NFPA’s survey of fire departments – including non-incident-related injuries, trends, and brief narratives on selected incidents. NFPA estimates that 69,400 firefighter injuries occurred in the line of duty in 2012. An estimated 31,490 (45.4%) of all the firefighter injuries occurred during fireground operations. Based on 2006-2010 structure fires reported to U.S. municipal fire departments, when compared to structure fires in homes with no automatic extinguishing equipment present, analysis of home structure fires with wet-pipe sprinklers present showed... Continue reading
Posted Nov 11, 2013 at NFPA's Fire Sprinkler Initiative
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Famous singer/songwriter’s mansion saved by fire sprinkler system
TMZ reports that legendary singer/songwriter Babyface’s Los Angeles mansion caught fire last weekend. Fire sprinklers were responsible for keeping the fire from growing and destroying the home. As reported, the fire started in one of the mansion’s bathrooms. The fire sprinkler system quickly extinguished the flames before firefighters arrived. A representative for the Grammy Award winner couldn’t confirm or deny if Babyface was in the house at the time of the blaze, but there were people inside the home when the fire started. The cause of fire has not been determined. Babyface is fortunate to live in the State of... Continue reading
Posted Nov 8, 2013 at NFPA's Fire Sprinkler Initiative
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Residential fire sprinklers prove their worth in three similar townhouse fires
The Smithfield Fire Department in Rhode Island responded to structure fires in townhouse style apartments located on the Bryant University campus on three occasions starting in April of 2010. This post will document the different outcomes of these fires to highlight the benefits of residential fire sprinklers. The first fire was in a unit with residential sprinklers occurring at 6 p.m. The home’s occupant heated vegetable oil to boiling in a covered pot. When the cover was removed, the vapors caused a flash that ignited grease in the residential hood. Fire damage was confined to the kitchen cabinets and stove... Continue reading
Posted Nov 8, 2013 at NFPA's Fire Sprinkler Initiative
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Fire sprinkler ordinances cited as reason for higher ISO rating
The Memorial Examiner informs that Village Fire Department (VFD), serving the Villages of Bunker Hill, Hedwig, Hilshire, Hunters Creek, Piney Point and Spring Valley in the suburban Houston, TX area has earned the Insurance Services Office’s (ISO) highest rating for community fire departments. VFD heard earlier this month that it had been elevated from a Class 2 department to a Class 1, joining roughly 60 other departments out of more than 47,000 nationwide, said Chief David Foster. The chief credited the adoption of fire sprinkler ordinances adopted by the villages, as one of the reasons for the rating elevation. The... Continue reading
Posted Nov 1, 2013 at NFPA's Fire Sprinkler Initiative
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Murfreesboro, TN apartment fire extinguished by residential sprinklers
The Murfreesboro Fire & Rescue Department reports that firefighters responded to a kitchen fire at the Cross Creek at Victory Station Apartments just before 7:30 Tuesday evening. When crews arrived at the apartment complex, they found the fire had been extinguished by the residential sprinkler system. Two families were displaced due to water damage, but did not require assistance from the Red Cross. According to Captain/Shift Inspector Mark McCluskey, the fire, which appeared to have started in the kitchen was held in check by a residential fire sprinkler system before units arrived. “The sprinkler system kept fire damage to a... Continue reading
Posted Nov 1, 2013 at NFPA's Fire Sprinkler Initiative
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Fire sprinkler saves lives and home during early morning fire
The Courant reports that firefighters responded to a small fire at a home in Middleton, CT early Tuesday. A residential sprinkler system kept the fire in check before firefighters arrived. The fire was reported at a single-family home at 120 Monarca Drive around 1 a.m. Fire officials said the fire started in the wall near the fireplace. Nobody was injured in the fire and damage was mainly contained to one room, according to fire officials. The outcome of the fire could have been different without fire sprinklers due to the time of the time of day when this fire occurred.... Continue reading
Posted Oct 24, 2013 at NFPA's Fire Sprinkler Initiative
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Apartment fire in Charleston, SC extinguished by fire sprinklers
Charleston SC Live 5 News reports that firefighters from Charleston and North Charleston responded to a fire at an apartment building in downtown Charleston. The report says that a tenant in the building reported smoke on the second floor. When crews arrived on the scene, they found a small fire in one of the apartments that was contained by two sprinklers. Officials say the fire and water damage was limited as firefighters quickly deactivated the sprinkler system as soon as the situation was under control. According to officials, crews used less than five gallons of water to extinguish the remaining... Continue reading
Posted Oct 24, 2013 at NFPA's Fire Sprinkler Initiative
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