Paris, 31 January 2008 Alan Brinson Contribution of Sprinkler Systems to Fire Safety

How do Sprinklers Work? Glass bulb contains a liquid with a vapour bubble Liquid expands as the temperature rises, compressing the vapour bubble At a set temperature (usually 68˚C) the bubble has gone and the bulb breaks, releasing the water seal

Sprinklers do not: React to smoke from toast or a cigarette Open all at once (usually 1 or 2 sprinklers operate) Cause major water damage (system sprays less water than a single fire hose) Operate without reason (this is very rare)  1 in 1.6 million sprinklers for all reasons including end user or contractor damage (FM Global in 1977)  1 in 16 million sprinklers due to a manufacturing error (FM Global in 1977)

Reliability of Sprinklers Sprinklers release water when they get hot and control or extinguish fire Statistics show properly designed and maintained sprinkler systems control/extinguish 98% of fires  Swiss Cantonal Insurance Federation 100% in 2000  LPC 99% in 2000  Danish Institute of Fire Technology 98% in 2003  German Property Insurers 97.9% in  APSAD of France 97% in 2000

Reliability of Sprinklers In >60% of cases only 1 or 2 sprinklers operate to release much less water than a single fire hose  Swiss Cantonal Insurance Federation: 87% of fires controlled by 1-2 sprinklers in 2000  APSAD: 61% of fires controlled by 1-2 sprinklers in 2000  VdS: 50% of fires controlled by 1-2 sprinklers in 2000  LPC: 44% of fires controlled by 1-2 sprinklers in 2000 Europe has never had a multiple loss of life in a building protected by a fire sprinkler system No fire-fighter has ever died in a sprinklered building (except 9/11)

How Sprinklers Save Lives

Benefits of Sprinklers in Room of Origin Sprinklers sensitive to heat and respond quickly before conditions become life-threatening Prevent fire growth and so reduce evolution of toxic gases Keep temperature at survivable level Often extinguish fire 2004 report for UK Government showed sprinklers usually maintain tenable conditions in room of fire origin => Sprinklers offer the only hope to those who do not leave the room where the fire starts

Sprinklers Aid Escape Prevent growth of fire and evolution of smoke People can then more easily follow escape routes Sprinkler system can send an alarm to fire brigade

In a fire flammable vapours reach auto-ignition Ingress of oxygen => spontaneous combustion with fireball and shockwave Sprinklers cool vapours so they do not ignite when oxygen enters room Important contribution to safety of occupants and fire-fighters – specific aim of NFPA 13R and 13D Sprinklers Prevent Flashover

Sprinklers Reduce Fire Damage Respond before arrival of fire brigade Fire is still small and is not allowed to grow Less water is needed to deal with a small fire Average fire damage is reduced by over 85% Scottsdale (88% commercial buildings; 96% residential) Vancouver (92% residential) NFPA (42% residential; 67% manufacturing) NIST (32% in houses)

Warehouse Fires Extinguished by Sprinklers Birmingham 2004 ICI Paints 15 Feb sprinklers put out fire

A Warehouse without Sprinklers Matalan, Birmingham 2 March 2006

Proof that Sprinklers Save Lives Scottsdale  Zero deaths in sprinklered buildings (first death in 2007) Vancouver  Zero deaths in sprinklered buildings from 1990  Fire death rate was worst, now best in Canada NFPA: 86% reduction overall; 78% residential ( ); 100% in houses ( ) NIST: 100% fire death reduction in houses

Scottsdale Sprinkler Legislation 1974All buildings higher than 3 storeys or larger than 700m 2 must be sprinklered 1982Ran residential sprinkler tests 1985Approved ordnance requiring sprinklers in all new buildings from 1986

Scottsdale Sprinkler Ordinance Design Freedoms Increased hydrant spacing Reduced water main sizes No requirement for 360° access Reduced street widths Increased cul-de-sac lengths => Development density increased 4%

Costs to Install Sprinklers in Houses in Scottsdale February m 2 house€8.50/m 2 June 1989Production home€5.87/m 2 Custom home€6.62/m 2 January 2001Production home€4.38/m 2 Custom home€5.20/m 2

Sprinklers in all new housing, hospitals and care facilities 37% of all housing has sprinklers

Sprinklers Make Economic Sense Allow architectural freedoms so buildings are more attractive and cost less to build Prevent loss of life and reduce injuries by 85% Reduce fire damage to property by over 85% Low maintenance costs through life of building NIST found an economic benefit

NIST Report National Institute of Standards and Technology

NIST Cost-Benefit Report Assumptions 100% reduction in house fire deaths (NFPA ) 57% fewer house fire injuries (NFPA ) 32% less house fire property damage (NFPA ) Value of a life $7.94 million (independent economists) Cost of an injury $172,000 (CPSC) 8% smaller insurance premium (Insurance company)

NIST Cost-Benefit Report Assumptions continued Low-cost systems combined with house plumbing:  €1,430 to protect a 310m 2 house (€4.6/m 2 )  €1,310 to protect a 210m 2 house (€6.2/m 2 )  €570 to protect a single-storey 109m 2 house (€5.2/m 2 ) No maintenance costs – annual inspection by owner

NIST Cost-Benefit Report Results Clear economic benefit in all three houses (100% confidence) Sensitivity analysis varied the input probabilities and still found clear economic benefits

NIST Cost-Benefit Report Comments Key input variables (ranked by importance) are:  Value of a life ($7.9 million/€5.5 million)  Zero annual maintenance costs  8% reduction in home insurance premium  Low installation cost from combined system In 2004 the British Government found no economic case for fitting sprinklers in houses. Why?

NIST Cost-Benefit Report Comparison with UK Govt Report Value of a life  NIST €5.5 million; UK €1.7 million Annual maintenance  NIST €0; UK €67 Home insurance premium reduction  NIST 8%; UK 0% Installed cost  NIST €570-€1,430; UK €2,280 + €640 water connection

Recent Developments in UK Cost of a combined system €670 in a new house No extra water connection charge in a new house Annual maintenance for a combined system €0 Benefits greater than costs Government will fit 3,000 houses each year for next five years to build up UK experience

More Comments on the Economics A standalone system without an alarm would not cost much more than a combined system because very little piping is saved by using other plumbing It would also not need regular maintenance If British lives were valued a little higher or a small property insurance discount were available, this standalone system would be cost effective in the UK Experience in the USA and New Zealand is that plumbers are not interested in sprinklers so even combined systems are fitted by sprinkler firms

Building Code Requirements in Europe for Sprinklers in Homes

Sprinklers in High Rise Residential Buildings

Sprinklers in Housing Many new low-rise apartment buildings in Norway protected by residential sprinklers Campaign in Glasgow for sprinklers in new housing Council will make it a condition of planning permission Backed by fire service, Scottish politicians and unions Angus County in Scotland to fit sprinklers in all new social housing from 2009 Campaign in Welsh Assembly to obtain jurisdiction over fire safety to impose sprinklers Overwhelming Welsh political support

Summary Sprinklers have a superb record for saving life and property Sprinklers are the only way to save someone who stays in the room where the fire starts Most fire deaths occur in the home so to make a difference we need to put sprinklers in our homes Sprinkler systems are cost effective in new homes Legislators are recognising the benefits of sprinklers

Thank you for your attention Alan Brinson