Residential Fire Sprinklers

What is the leading cause of fire? Men Men Women Women Children Children

Will we stop responding to incidents? Not likely!

Do you know these children? Jordan Tinsley Age 9 John Tinsley Age 7 Benjamin Tinsley Age 6 Died early morning June 25, 2007, from a house fire near Texarkana, Texas.

2007 Year-to-Date Multiple Fatality Fire Deaths Fires113 Deaths431 Adults197 Children234

Fire Death and Injuries in One- & Two-family Dwellings* (Percentage of Residential) Fire deaths: 83% Fire deaths: 83% Fire injuries:74% Fire injuries:74% Fire property damage:83% Fire property damage:83% Fireground firefighter deaths:70% Fireground firefighter deaths:70% *2004 NFPA

More Fire Facts Young children, older adults, and physically and Young children, older adults, and physically and mentally challenged people face the highest risk of mentally challenged people face the highest risk of injury or death in residential fires. injury or death in residential fires. Too often, people fail to respond appropriately to Too often, people fail to respond appropriately to the sound of a smoke detector, because they the sound of a smoke detector, because they assume it is a false alarm. Rather that exiting the assume it is a false alarm. Rather that exiting the building, they search to confirm the existence of a building, they search to confirm the existence of a fire, wasting the few precious minutes they may fire, wasting the few precious minutes they may have to escape. 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 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 Americans suffer an unwanted fire every 10 seconds Every 74 seconds a fire is of enough magnitude to call the Fire Dept. Every 74 seconds a fire is of enough magnitude to call the Fire Dept. More than 3,000 people died in fires in More than 3,000 people died in fires in ,300 people are injured in home fires each year 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 There is a 1 in 200 chance of fire in your home during your lifetime

How does time affect the Fire Departments ability to deliver service?

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 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 NFPA 13 systems are for commercial occupancies Designed primarily for property conservation Designed primarily for property conservation The average sprinkler head discharges 25 to 35 gallons per minute The average sprinkler head discharges 25 to 35 gallons per minute Sprinkler heads are located everywhere – attics, basements, crawl spaces, closets and concealed spaces 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) Systems are designed for the flow of multiple heads (12-15 on average) Life safety is a byproduct of the system Life safety is a byproduct of the system

NFPA 13D systems Are designed for 1 and 2 family dwellings Are designed for 1 and 2 family dwellings Designed primarily for life safety only but will contain or frequently extinguish the fire 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 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) 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 This coverage provides fire protection from 83% of all areas fire originates Systems are designed for the flow of 1 to 2 sprinkler heads Systems are designed for the flow of 1 to 2 sprinkler heads

Types of Sprinklers ResidentialCommercial

Where is the sprinkler?

Multipurpose Systems Part of the cold water loop in the house. Part of the cold water loop in the house. Reduces the chance of freezing. Reduces the chance of freezing. Placing back into service after activation ensures repair. Placing back into service after activation ensures repair. No additional backflow prevention. No additional backflow prevention.

Are Sprinkler Systems Effective?

Green Effect Reduces the amount of water needed to extinguish a fire. Reduces the amount of water needed to extinguish a fire. Smoke production is minimal Smoke production is minimal Natural resources such as lumber is not needed to rebuild the home 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 homes 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 dont 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 Residential Sprinkler Committee 1. NC Fire Marshals Assoc 2. NC State Firemens Association 3. NC Association of Fire Chiefs 4. NC County Fire Marshals Association 5. NC IAAI 6. NC Building Inspectors Association NC Home Sprinkler Alliance – Educational Component NC Home Sprinkler Alliance – Educational Component Working to create a new limited license for plumbers to install and design residential systems. Working to create a new limited license for plumbers to install and design residential systems.

Questions?