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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-0515 Document Submitted at Mtg i October 2016 www.nfpajournal.org Home fires happen. But this simple device controls their spread and can prevent thousands of deaths and injuries every year. It can also dramatically reduce property damage. It's proven and inexpensive. So why isn't it in every home in the country? ■ Ana ron per The challenge, success, and promise of the home fire sprinkler f x (Yes. this is the actual size) 1 ,OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION NFPA ;ir ~ ~ - ~ , ~ ~ - - ~ ~ t~ , , . 8 Y t iF ~ ~i1~ ~ B ,tt k ~ v ' ' ~ e r i ~ ~ 1 ~ mG ~ ~ ~ ~ 9 a ~ ;t _ ~ ~ W ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ • _ ~ E.~ yi 4- r ; ~ ~ ~ r ~ ~ ~ 'S ti P ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ t ~ r a. ~ ~ ~i ~ i r~, .k ~ s o' ~ ~a ~ i ~ . , . ~ . a ~ i~, b v ~ ~ S ~ a ~ ~ i - ~ 7' .3~ r. r ~ - . ~ ~ ~ ~ z ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~r a ~ ~ , ~ y ~ P/ i P ~ e t~ - ~ ~ i y ~ g 7 i ep~ y ~l I c , l~ . ~ ~ ~ ~ i t F a ~ ~ : ~ { ~ rye g ' i } ~ f ~ F 4 ~ ~ ~ ~ i. ~ ' ` ~ ' ~ ~ t : ~ 3+1 Ij :q 4 l 1 i fi L~ ~ k t, 1 ~ F f,`-` ~ 4 .z ' . 1 9 r 7 ~ } c ~ ~ 4 ~ ~ r ~ ~ ! r. ~ l ~ ~ ~ ~ iii. } e t s" d _ Z ~ ~ 1 3~ p ~ ? ~ i 1 3 rr f ~a_ ~ a~ Maximize product per square foot by going higher and narrower. Tyco is leading the way with the highest ceiling-only protection 148 feet) for the narrowest aisles (5 feet) and the greatest flexibility of commodities and packaging. Tyco solutions include the highest ceiling-only protection with ESFR sprinklers, low install cost with EC sprinklers, and industry leading valves, all with pure performance. To find out how we can help future-proof your storage protection, contact yourTyco representative or visit www.tyco-fire.com/Storage ~Q 7M Safer, Smarter. Tyco. fire Protection Products Copyright ©2016Tyco Fire Products LP. All rights reserved ii iY y i. i Y s { ~ ` k ~ ` i■ s~A« ...r~r , ~T a~~ :k ~ i~ K: 5 ~ t % ¢ F a ~ ~ ~ x - x e . . .TS ~ it _ ~ C, ~ ~ a.r 'y;; t .~~77 ~ fi f ~r .K ~ ; ~ yJ 't1 f J:~ ~ ' 4 e tµ a i 1 a 7 c5 c - x v ')4t s ~ ~ c ~ / ~ ~5 Y I y r 1 ' ~ I i tY~+ AY - i. ~r i~ z e~ y ~ 2 ~ 1 13 ~ ~ 3 ~ {y ® T h. ~ i 9 k n W fl' ' ~ t. ~G r y~ 15 A T ~"t.' ~ ! ~ ~ ~ i s ~ ~ • r ~ . ny.~ ! ` a e`.' qc; y Y~ ~ R~ 4,. e; ~ ] ~,r`.~y E r g` ~ F. fk 1 ® l~ ~ ~ • • ~ • $ ~ M1,i F ~ 1, i T.' t } + ~ 1 ~ r ;p ~ ~ n / '1 77, ~ ~ s„ ~ ,s z~'. ` ~ i Y t. r-~ - i. y t v'. ~ _ S. ,.r f.: r k di € s x r k+ ~ v pp t k iv} s Y ~ , . , OCTOBER 2016, VOL.110, N0.6 ~ ~ ~ ~ f~ 1 ~ COVER PHOTOGRAPH - iStockPhoto G ~-f~ - r ~n ^ ~ ~.t r ~ • - _ ~ w P [ r ~ r _ ~_~nk~ jjj ~ ~ k ~ .,~`t a u,,._y a i"~ 1 f -0"" s - 3 ~ I ~ a ONLINE FEATURES SPECIAL HOIUIE FIRE SPRINKLER ISSUE 8 How We Got Here 18 The Final Frontier 44 The Fire Service Angle An introduction to this Abig-picture look at Of all the tools and firesprinklerinitiative,org special sprinkler issue home sprinkler history procedures firefighters Visit the online home of NFPA's of NFPA Journal, a brief and ~vhy the technology use to fight home fires, Fire Sprinkler Initiative, which history of the Home Fire is more necessary today sprinklers might just be includes information on home Sprinkler Coalition, and than ever before. the most important. sprinkler advocacy, establishing statewide sprinkler coalitions, and more. BY FRED DURSO, JR. BY STEPHANIE SCHOROW much more. 5Z Sprinklers & 60 The Scottsdale 70 Sprinklers & Homebuilders Ordinance at 30 Water Purveyors Look beyond the Jim Ford, steward of Why managers of the homefiresprinkler.org misperceptions and the landmark sprinkler country`s water supplies Visit the online home of the Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition, aone-stop myths, and sprinklers ordinance, talks about are embracing home fire source for home fire sprinkler edu- start to make a lot of three decades ofbuild- sprinklers, cation information, sense for business- ing afire-protected BY STEPHANIE SCHOROW savvy homebuilders, community. BY BEVERLY FORD nfpa.org/journalapps ~ ~ Copyright ©2016 NFPA. All rights reserved, PRINTED IN USA. NFPA Journal One for Apple iOS, one for (ISSN 1054-8793) is a membership magazine published bimonthly, with Android devices. These easy-to- occasional additional special issues, by NFPA, One Batterymarch Park, Quincy, navigate apps let you read the ~ MA, 02169-7471. NFPA annual dues are $165 and include a $45 subscription to NFPA Journal. Periodicals postage rates paid at Boston, Massachusetts, and at complete NFPA Journal anywhere, additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to NFPA Jour- anytime.View videos, link to NFPA Journal nal, NFPA, P,O. Box 9101, Quincy, MA 02269-9101, All issues of NFPA Journal websites, and share articles with Anaward-winning member of are available in microfilm from University Microfilms, International, 300 North colleagues. And they're free. Association Media & Publishing Zeeb Road, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48106. 2 ?P JAI ~ OCTOBER 2016 i e. ~"'V' ~ F . ; ~ ~r y ~ f S ~ ~ ,ii ~ d F ~ e ~ ~ _ li J 4 . ~ a _ ~ ~ ~ . ~t ~ W ~ r , Don`t compromise on flows, styling, or protection Standardizing on VK494 intermediate temperature- whenselecting aresidential concealed pendent rated sprinklers provides enhanced design flexibility sprinkler. The new Viking Model VK494 features near potential heat sources, reduced inventory the same UL Listed flow rates for ordinary and complexity, and lessjob site confusion. Trust Freedom intermediate temperature ratings, so you can sprinklers from Viking for your residential projects- chooseany model without sacrificing performance anything else is a compromise. or aesthetics. The new Freedom®VK494 flat plate concealed pendent sprinkler ~;w ~ features a lowprofile roverplal~e ~ for a smooth ceilin a earance. 9 pp www.vikinggroupinc.com 0 TM Trusted above all. Viking Group, Inc. ~ 210 N. Industrial Park Drive, Hastings, MI 49058,Telephane: (269) 945-9501 ~ www.vikinggroupinc.com JOURNAL <r DEPARTMENTS ExECUrIVE EDIroR Scott Sutherland 3. ssutherland@n fpa.org 12 IN A FLASH An interview with Ron Hazelton, TV-home- N ROSS '"NNIS St,1iTH ~ ART DIRECTOR improvement-guy-turned-home-sprinkler-educator, ; ~ ~ ..~h s ~ ~ Doug Sternberg and the public face of the Home Fire Sprinkler " x,~ ~ ~ dsternberg@nfpa.org Coalition. _ BY BEVERLY FORD ~ ~ ~ " ~ RV ASSOCIATE EDITOR Jesse Roman 26 SPRINKLERWATCH jroman@nfpa.org A variety of home sprinkler saves, from NFPA files. BY RICHARD CAMPBELL PRODUCTION MANAGER Adrienne M. Albrecht 34 PERSPECTIVES How are home fire sprinklers valuable to PROOFREADERS homeowners? Let him count the ways. Nancy Wirtes, Janet Provost Thoughts on sprinklers and home fire safety from aninsurance industry insider. BY JEFF FEID DIRECTOR OF SALES Bill Mello 80 LOOKING BACK wmello@nfpa.org The birth of the home fire sprinkler. BY MARY ELIZABETH WOODRUFF ADVERTISING OPERATIONS - MANAGER Dorinda Fergason d f ergason@n f pa.org SPRINKLER VOICES P.O.V. ADVERTISING SYSTEMS 42 THE ALLYN-BRITTIAN FAMILY 6 FIRST WORD MANAGER When a Connecticut family lost its home to fire, Sprinklers. Save. Lives. Any questions? Susan Richard rebuilding without home fire sprinklers was not an BY JAMES PAULEY, NFPA PRESIDENT option. But what would happen when mom burned ONLINE ADVERTISING the bacon? 32 SPRINKLER MYTHS Lynne Grant A collection of some of the most lygrant@nfpa.org 50 ROB FEENEY common whoppers and misperceptions, In 2003, Rob Feeney barely survived The Station thoroughly debunked. MARKETING/PERIODICALS nightclub fire, which killed his fiancee. Now he's a CIRCULATION MANAGER vocal advocate for sprinklers of all types, including 39 OUTREACH Michael Carinci home fire sprinklers. To successfully combat vocal and often well-funded opponents, home sprinkler 58 TOM LIA educators and advocates must start by VICE-PRESIDENT How Tom Lia is protecting Illinois with home fire meeting the challenge with a strong, OUTREACH AND ADVOCACY sprinklers, one community at a time. focused, and unifed message. Lorraine Carli BY LORRAINE CARLI 68 PAM ELLIOTT After suffering burn injuries as a child, Pam Elliott is lending her vocal support to the home fire sprinkler effort in North Carolina. NOTICE CONCERNING CONTENT NOTICE CONCERNING ADVERTISING nfpa.org/podcast The content of articles contained in NFPA reserves the right to accept or reject any NFPA Journal solely reflects the personal advertisement submitted for publication in opinions of the authors or contributors NFPA Journal. However, NFPA doesn't attempt JOURNAL and doesn't necessarily represent the ~ to investigate or verify claims, including claims of official position of NFPA, which, as to the compliance with NFPA codes and standards, made ~ o pODCAST meaning and intent of NFPA codes and in advertisements appearing in NFPA Journal. The standards, can only be obtained through appearance of advertising in NFPA Journal in no NFPA NFPA's published procedures for requesting Please recycle way implies endorsement of, or approval by, NFPA formal interpretations. Contents must not of any advertising claims or of the advertiser, its be re rinted without the written ermis- this magazine p p product, or its services. NFPA disclaims any liability Sion of NFPA NFPA Journal is a registered whatsoever in connection with advertising appear- trademark ofNFPA. ing In NFPA Journal. 4 NFPJDUL OCTOBER 2016 i it .G ii'~..£ q 'br5 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ I I ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ -~r,; ~~r ~~r. ~I ~ + . F 4.~: ~ ti r ~ ; 4 ~ f .4. a~. ~ j c w'i u 4 a~~ i, y `k ~ - ~ j' 1 .C a ~C i - 7'N' ~rF ~ a. ~ K ~ ~f~ ~ i i~ Fm ~ t , ~ ~n ~c 3 ~~P h. r ~ i'; k' ~ `,1 ~ r . ~ .iii. L'' ; r1 ~ a~ e s ~H r~, . _ ~ 0~ q'I _ ~3 ~ y a~ y~ F 1 I r ~ ~ n n l r, t ,i ~ „d~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ \~o ~ 4~: ~ k ~r ~ ~ ' s.,~ ~ ~ r.. " ~~a~~ ~ l mg ^m. 8 ~ a ' ,t ~ d - ~.m 9 1 i ~r r r _ 4, _ ;i4" »V f~ r as z;~ J. • , ,i ~ ~~eQ g ~ 4~ i ~ Y.t' FIRST By James Pauley, NFPA President Randolph W. Tucker, Chair Tucker Consulting Associates Houston, Texas Keith E. Williams, First Vice-Chair Underwriters Laboratories Inc. Northbrook, Illinois Amy R. Acton, Second Vice-Chair The Phoenix Society - Grand Rapids, Michigan ~ ~ Donald R. Cook, Secretary ` ■ Shelby County Dept. o f Development Services ~ a' n Pelham, Alabama ■ Thomas Lawson, Treasurer ' ~ FM Global e Johnston, Rhode Island James Pauley, President President and CEO, NFPA *Bruce H. Mullen, Sta f f 0 f ficer Executive Vice-President and CFO, NFPA *Dennis J. Berry, Assistant Secretary Secretary o f the Corporation, NFPA PRINKLERS SAVE LIVES. It's a simple, of death, injury, property and economic loss Ernest J. Grant, Ph.D., Immediate straightforward, and accurate statement, due to fire, electrical and related hazards." That Past Chair North Carolina Jaycee Burn Center but it can be easily overshadowed by myth and is why we have our Fire Sprinkler Initiative Chapel Hill, North Carolina misrepresentation. (firesprinklerinitiative.org) and why we provide Sprinklers have been around for over 100 funding and support to the Home Fire Sprinkler Kwame Cooper years, and they have been added to the basic Coalition (homefiresprinkler.org), a non-profit Los Angeles Fire Department Los Angeles, California building requirements of almost every building organization dedicated to education about Russell Leavitt type except one- and two-family homes. And home fire sprinklers. NFPA has helped establish Telgian Corp. yet, homes are where we have the most civilian sprinkler coalitions in 29 states to help in the Phoenix, Arizona fire deaths and where we see the majority of education effort and to dispel common sprinkler BHS A. Rochman firefighter fireground injuries. myths (see "Tell it True," page 32). Tampa, Florida NFPA is a strong supporter of requirements Because of our support for sprinkler require- Eric Rosenbaum for home fires rinklers, and there is much ments, NFPA has been accused of tr in to JENSEN HUGHES p y g Baltimore, Maryland speculation as to why we are such a strong sup- kill the housing industry. Again, this is simply not true, especially when you consider the John Bonney context and history. When ground-fault circuit- Alendi Consulting interrupters (GFCIs) were first introduced as a Ropley, United Kingdom R. David Paulison requirement in the National Electrical Code, Global Emergency Solutions opponents claimed housing would stop because Davie, Florida of the cost. It didn't. When smoke alarms came Harold A. Schaitberger International Assoc o f Fire Fighters into the building code as a requirement, the same Washington, D.C. porter. Homebuilders claim it's because NFPA groups again stated that housing would stop. It William A. Stewart is "funded" by the fire sprinkler industry-a didn't. The same was said about requirements Toronto Fire services (retired) Toronto, Ontario, Canada claim that is simply false. NFPA funds all its fire for arc-fault circuit-interrupters (AFCIs), and Michael Wallace sprinkler initiatives on its own. Others say it's housing continued at its normal pace. Now the united Technologies because we want to require people to "buy" our same tired argument is being used against home Farmington, Connecticut home sprinkler standard, NFPA 13D, Installation fire sprinklers. But we have examples such as Peter J. Gore willse XL GAPS of Sprinkler Systems in One- and Two-Family Dwell- Scottsdale, Arizona, and Prince George's County, Hart ford, Connecticut ingsand ManufaeturedHomes-another inaccurate Maryland, where sprinkler requirements have claim, since anyone anywhere in the world can existed side by side with robust housing markets. Tonya Hoover view the standard online for free at nfpa.org~ NFPA is in this for the long haul, because Fire Marshal Sacramento, California freeaccess. Sprinklers Save hives-plain and simple. Hatem Kheir The reality is that we support sprinklers Kheir Group because having home fire sprinklers can reduce Cairo, Egypt Teresa L. Deloach Reed your chance of dying in a fire by 80 percent ~ Oakland Fire Department and reduce property damage by 70 percent. Oakland, California Our stated vision at NFPA is the "elimination Stacy N. welch Marriott International Bethesda, Maryland `Not a member of the Board of Directors 6 NFPA JOURNAL OCTOBER 2016 i . e a ■ ~F V... .w, ~ . I st NFPA 13 Standard re uirements with the Meet the ate q ~ listed & FM A roved air vent f or fire s rinkler s stems. U pp p Y To help eliminate corrosion caused by trapped air, the 2016 NFPA 13 has implemented a requirement calling for a single air vent to be installed on each wet sprinkler system, With minimal ongoing maintenance, Potter's Automatic Air Vent (PAW) will reduce trapped air in the system and ensure code compliance, With system venting, water flow alarm response times are improved and cyclic ringing of alarm bells are eliminated, all while protecting against corrosion activity. a~"~'~ r tr r CORROSION ~ ❑ ❑ SOLUTIONS °q ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ o ~ , ® The Symbol of Protection y~ HOME FIRE A brief history of the Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition and its focus on "the most pressing fire issue of our time" THIS SPECIAL ISSUE of NFPA Journal commemorates the homes. The challenge of educating consumers about the 20th anniversary of the founding of the Home Fire Sprinkler life-saving benefits of home fire sprinklers needed a strong Coalition, of which NFPA has been a key member. Over the and unified voice. Finding that voice required the vision, past two decades, the coalition has been a central force in commitment, and willingness of three organizations to come the effort to educate stakeholders on the value of sprinkler together, forget their differences, and work collaboratively. installation in new one- and two-family homes nationwide. As HFSC reminded us recently on its website, homefire- A COALITION IS BORN sprinkler.org, 20 years ago there were just a few U.S. and In the spring of 1996, after other efforts to create a collec- Canadianfire departments that promoted the life-saving tine home fire sprinkler focus faded, leaders of the Ameri- benefits offire sprinklers in new homes. While many mem- can Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) and the National Fire hers of the fire service were aware of home fire sprinklers, Sprinkler Association ~NFSA) approached NFPA to discuss sprinkler education materials were limited and most fire how this could finally be achieved. While all three organiza- safetyeducation programs focused on smoke alarms and bons embraced home fire sprinkler awareness within their escape plans. Thanks to movies and television shows featur- outreach endeavors, each had its own niche and perspective ing fire sprinklers all activating at once, the thought of in- and none was able to focus solely on this essential public stalling sprinklers in homes did not appeal to homebuyers. safety topic. AFSA and NFSA saw the need and the oppor- Butfor decades, fire data had proved that people were tunny, and both recognized it would be a stronger effort if dying at the highest rates where they felt safest: in their own it were carried out collaboratively. NFPA welcomed their 8 OCTOBER 2016 i ~ A ~ F i Q ,i~Yi. a- . a . f r' ~ V ty~.. ~F~ c: -.o -~~pus""~ ~ ~u' ids ~ ~ i . ~ Y ~s y' n. '7 " n 1. .P . . ye x~~~ ns~ i-::n a. ~ a ' r 4 ~ ~ ~ f k ' Y 'r ~ " ~ ,~lr ,r ~ 'pLL ~0 ' • r R ~ - , . ' ~ ~ 1~~ ~ x. , "v ~m ` a ideas and the prospect of joining forces to give home fire Early on, the coalition carried out pilot programs in sprinklers the attention they deserved. Connecticut, Illinois, Oregon, Arizona, and Canada, work- "Fromday one, all of the founding members put aside ing with fire service organizations on consumer sprinkler any political and philosophical differences to focus on the education. That initial alliance was successful and turned task of developing the best home fire sprinkler educational out to be prophetic. Today, the fire service is HFSCs most material we could," says Gary Keith, who served as HFSCs important partner in delivering quality grassroots aware- presidentduring his tenure at NFPA and now serves on ness and education programs in every state and in Canada. HFSC's board as FM Global's vice president for engineering "While HFSC successfully developed targeted materials for standards. "We knew we were ahead of where the model many audiences, we realized that the fire service needed to codes were on home fire sprinklers, but that only made us be our primary partner," Keith recalls. "When consumers more determined to sharpen our educational message and want information about home fire sprinklers, the local fire build support across all interest groups." department is their most trusted source. HFSC has made In short order, the three organizations unified to create sure that fire departments have what they need to accu- acoalition that would focus exclusively on increasing and rately address any questions they receive." improving public education about this life-saving technol- ogy. The reaction was positive, and the fledgling HFSC SPRINKLERS, THE NEXT GENERATION Side-by-side burn demos planted the fla,~ as a non-profit and non-commercial home have proved to be highly effective tools in educating the public on the fire sprinkler education group. effectiveness of home fire sprinklers. OCTOBER 2076 ~ ~ 9 HOME FIRE = - ~ ~ ~ ~ - - - To commemorate its 20th anniversary, the HFSC held aside-by-side burn demonstration at m ' ~ ~j~ I ~ - - the NFPA Conference & Expo in Las Vegas in June. ~ Picture fr d om left: Ron Hazelton, HFSC spokes- man; Peg Paul, HFSC communications manager; a; Frank Mortl, AFSA executive vice president; 4 Steve Muncy, AFSA president; Gary Keith, vice president for engineering standards at FM Global; M ~ Lorraine Carli, vice president of outreach and ~ advocacy at NFPA and current HFSC president; `-E , and Vicki Pritchett, NFSA director of outreach and a~ . ` . government relations. , - ~ table understands the challenges, the ~ ~ ~ - objectives and the strategies. Most M l~ i ~ important, each board member un- t _ derstands and respects the power of ~ collaboration." Another asset is HFSC's indepen- POWER OF COLLABORATION President Steve Muncy. This desire and Bence. The founders determined early HFSC has evolved from its founders' ability to put mission ahead of indi- on that the coalition would leave prod- modestlaunch. Today it is guided victual issues remains one of HFSC's uct promotion to the industry and fo- by anactive, dedicated, all-volunteer enduring strengths. cus instead on communicating about Board of Directors that represents "At the first meeting I attended 10 the value of sprinkler technology and broad public safety concerns. "The years ago, I was so impressed with the the need for more home installations formation of HFSC proved that organi- commitment and depth of the board," as alife-safety strategy. Being neutral nations that sometimes have compet- says Lorraine Carli, HFSC's president has benefitted HFSC in a number of ing interests can come together to and NFPA's vice president of outreach ways, contributing to the coalition's promote common goals," says AFSA and advocacy. "Everyone around the credibility across an array of audiences HFSC: 20 Yearsof Home Fire Sprinkler Education 1996 1997 2000 2003 2005 callyto educate real Leaders of the American HFSC produces the HFSC consumer ads Ron Hazelton'seduca- HFSC awarded FEMA estate agents and insur- FireSprinkler Associ- "Protect What You Value appear in Better Homes tional TV spots on home grant for"Living With ante agents. ation (AFSA) and the Most"consumer educa- ~ Gardens Home Plans fire sprinklers run on Sprinklers;'a consumer National Fire Sprinkler tion video and brochure. Ideas magazine and HGTV. education kit and Harris HFSC Spanish-language Association (NFSA) Today's Homeowner Poll survey to determine consumer education bro- approachthe National 1998 magazine. HFSC produces video consumer awareness of chures are developed. Fire Protection Asso- Fire sprinklers featured demonstrating the pro- home fire sprinklers. Media ciation (NFPA) to discuss in "Behind the Walls" Ron Hazelton's radio cess of retrofitting a coverage from poll results 2008 joiningforces to form house at the International news releases on home home with home fire reaches 12 million people. 1,276 fire departments the Home Fire Sprinkler Builders' Show.10,000 fire sprinklers reach more sprinklers, shot during sign up for HFSC's "Built Coalition (HFSC), with the members of the home- than 6 million listeners. the retrofit of Ron 2006 for Life"Fire Department goal of unifying and building industry tour Hazelton's home. HFSC's FEMA Fire Act program and pledge to increasing awareness on the home. 2001 Grant funds comprehensive make home fire sprinkler the life-saving value of ABC's "Good Morning 2004 public educator kit and education a focus of their home fire sprinklers. 1999 America" airs a ZO-min- HFSC awarded first SprinklerSmarts.orginter community outreach. HFSC launches education ute segment with Ran Fire Act Grant from active website for children Ron Hazelton-HGTV's and media programs in Hazelton featuring a the Federal Emergency in grades K-8. HFSC print ads appear House Doctor and the key states and Canadian house fire without sprin- Management Agency in Good Housekeeping, home improvement editor provinces, including klers and a live demo of (FEMA) for the national Ron Hazelton hosts "Built Better Homes 2~ Gardens, for ABC's "Good Morning Connecticut, Arizona, sprinklers in a home. homebuilder education for Life"interactive and Parenting magazines, America"-becomes Florida, Illinois, Oregon, program "Built for Life" game during International reaching more than 28 HFSC's spokesperson. and Alberta. 2002 Builders'Show, which is million readers. HFSC produces Canadian attended by more than HFSC releases "Automat- version of "Protect What 105,000 members of home HFSC reaches a key group is Sprinklers: A 10-Year You Value Most" can- building industry, of homebuilders as elite Study;' a detailed report Sumer education video sponsor of National Home of the effects of the local with Jon Eakes, a popular 2007 Builders Association's home fire sprinkler code Canadian home improve- HFSC develops educational Senior Housing Council in Scottsdale, Arizona. ment expert. material designed specifi- targeting adults 50+. 1996 2000 2005 10 NFPA JDI~P AL OCTOBER 2016 I ~ ~ preservation advantages of fire sprin- ~ kler-protected homes. Long-range success will depend on the ability to r ~ ~ ` , ~,'r ~ continue this most important effort." Muncy, who will retire from AFSA ' ~ r in December, agrees. "Focusing on a " ~ those goals, HFSC has accomplished so f " : ` ~ ~ much more than we originally thought 20 years ago. As I near retirement, I 4 ~ must say that my involvement on the w _ ~ HFSC board for 20 years has been one of the most satisfying efforts of my . career-something I will look back on Sprinkler Strong with satisfaction and fond memories. NFPA's Fire Sprinkler Initiative, or FSI, offers an advocacy complement to the educational efforts I'm sure HFSC will continue to spread of the HFSC. So far, FSI-backed home fire sprinkler coalitions have been formed in 29 states, the message about home fire sprin- klers for decades to come." Carli emphasizes that HFSC has the and helping it to become a powerful gressional liaison and its representa- utmost gratitude for its founding and effective national media source. tive on the HFSC Board unti12009. He members. "Their foresight we know has "The birth of HFSC in 1996 signaled remains proud of the coalition's track saved lives and will continue to do so the beginning of the first residential fire record. "HFSC has steadfastly stuck to for many decades to come," she says. "It sprinkler educational effort targeted its original objective of ensuring that has proved to be a very successful specifically at the general public," says families are aware of and knowledge- model aimed at the most pressing fire Jim Dalton, NFSA's Washington~Con- able about the life-saving and property- issue of our time-home fires." ~ 2009 2010 conferences to promote Fire Sprinklers: Ask to educate building and 2016 HFSC introduces the Fire and HFSC and FM Global "ProtectingYour Com- for Them"online guide municipal officials about Built for Life Fire Depart- SprinklerBurn Demonstra- release landmark study munity" educational to provide easy-to- the dangers of today's ment Program grows to tion Guide, step-by-step on the environmental material, understand home fire modern home fires. 2,800 members. instructions on how to build impact of home fire sprinkler information to and conduct educational sprinklers. 2012 consumers.The short HFSC's new"Protect HFSC celebrates ~0 years side-by-side burn demos HFSC develops "Under- video segments explain What You Value Most" by holding a satellite me- duringcommunity events. 100 "Built for Life" standingWater Supply' the basics about home public service advertise- dia tour that includes 16 Fire departments nationwide Fire Departments video to educate water fire sprinklers, including ments run on HGTV, live and taped interviews conduct demonstrations. nationwide receive purveyors and the water why they are needed, reaching 3.3 million with Ron Hazelton, as well 51,000 stipends to industry on home fire how they work, and how viewers. as a side-by-side burn HFSC creates three-minute conduct side-by-side sprinklers; exhibits at they are installed. demonstration hosted impact videos tc help fire burn demos during com- American Water Works HomeFireSprinkler.org by Hazelton at the NFPA departments educate munity events. Association Annual 15 "Built for Life" is optimized far viewing Conference ~ Expo in consumers, homebuilders, Convention. Fire Departments on smart phones and Las Vegas, broadcast via and real estate agents. 2011 are awarded 51,500 tablets. satellite. The total reach is HFSC partners with HFSC develops accred- stipends toconduct vo- 2.9 million viewers. HFSC awards educational 1D "Built for Life" Fire ited continuing education cational school programs 2015 banner displays to 15 "Built Departments to conduct program for architects, with HFSC's Vocational The public healthjournal for Life" Fire Departments for community events homebuilders, and Student Guide. Injury Epidemiology pub- communityeducation. with side-byside burn public works officials. lishes results of a Johns demos and ads in local The program is hosted on 2014 Hopkins study about Testimonial ads featuring newspapers. HanleyWoodUniversity. HFSC develops a real public opinion concerning "Built for Life" Fire Depart- com and certified by the estate education home fire sprinklers, ments run in fire service HFSC attends National National Association of video called "Selling featuring HFSC's Harris magazines with a total Association of Realtors, Home Builders (NAHB). a Home Protected Poll information in the circulation of 1,2 million. National League of with Sprinklers; and article. Cities,and International 2013 the video"Protecting CityfCountyManage- HFSC develops the YourCommunitywith mentAssociation new interactive"Home Home Fire Sprinklers" 2009 2010 2016 OCTOBER 2016 SPA JQURNAI. r - a~ ~ £ry ~ L. ~ ~ e-~ ~ NEWS FROM NFPA + BEYOND - ~ '4 ro nu ~ n i ~ ~ c ~ ~ _ ~ _ ~ , ; ~ 1 ~ kl a n~ x. . a~ ~ t , ~ i ~ ~ .;E~ i r " - 't.':t" ' is ~ ~ , . _ ~ 1. ~ _ ~ ; ~ s~ < ~ ~ *r , f ~o r Asthe publicfaceofthe Home Fire SprinklerCoalition, Ron Hazelton hasembracedthe role of sprinkler educator par excellence ~ BY BEVERLY FORD ON HAZELTON IS NO STRANGER TO FIRE. Even though sprinklers and smoke alarms increase the The do-it-yourself guru and host of several popular chance of surviving a fire by 80 percent, only about 3 per- homeimprovement television shows has had his share cent of all residential buildings are equipped with sprinklers, of brushes with fire over the years, including one close according to NFPA and the U.S. Fire Administration. And call that almost cost him his life. Those experiences made that means only one thing for Hazelton: There's still more the 76-year-old New Yorker and host of "Ron Hazelton's work to do to educate the public on fire safety. House Calls" a staunch advocate for home fire sprinklers and, for the last 20 years, the spokesman for the Home Fire How did you first get involved in the Sprinkler Coalition. fire sprinkler movement? During his years as the face of the coalition, Hazelton has I had just gotten married and it was my first apartment done countless side-by-side burn demonstrations, on televi- as a married man. It was around 1964, I was probably 20 Sion as a guest of "Good Morning America" and in person or 21. We were living in a duplex in Clearwater, Florida, at fire safety events across the country. The demos, which when I went outside to talk to the owner of the building. involve filming fires in two similarly furnished rooms- As I was going back to my home, the entire side of the one outfitted with sprinklers, the other not-have given building went up in flames. It all happened so quickly, so thousands of citizens and firefighting professionals an up- fast. The gas regulator had been installed wrong. It forced close look at how rapidly fire can develop and how quickly propane into the house, which caused an explosion. Three protective fire sprinklers work, people lost their lives. They were blown outside the build- 12 NAPA ~OUA1 OCTOBER 2016 f .I~ ~ ' iy',~III~ u ~ ` ~ ~ ~ ~ } ~ a ~ ~ a .3 ~a ~ ~ k. ;~r < F~ ~ ~ ~ APPROVED ~ .~~ri APPROVED ,s ..Y .r.'t,.~., e n ~ ~ / <t~ ~ / . ~ Vii` { / ~ ~ r _`w ' ~ ~ ' ' 1 < ~~`s FM ~I ~ ~ ~ V APPROVED , ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Y :..,ate v'"+m ..rew.. v ~ 4 ~ ~ Y . X, . ~ v ~ f r+».~. m..,.ne 5^ 4{ '~A, d. v. 1 ~ r .M. ".,!L y ~ „ ~ J R ~ ~ ~~A ?:6 r AFr '4 i { d ,s i~,_ f.. C ~ • r ~ You ~ a ~ . • IN A ing. Itgave me avery up-close and Is that when you got involved how quickly fires can spread and how personal experience of a home fire. with the Home Fire Sprinkler difficult it is to function in a home that I knew the people who died in that Coalition? is on fire. Sometimes, it takes just a fire so it made a lasting impression After HFSC was founded, someone few minutes for smoke to fill a room. on me. When you see people who suggested I become the spokesman The smoke alarms will go off and wake are severely burned like that, it's because of mywork as ahome im- you, but the sprinklers can control the something you don't forget. provement expert. Working with Peg fire and give you time to escape. Years later, there was an apart- Paul, HFSC's communication man- mentfire in Staten Island in which ager, we did a retrofit of my home in What did you do to get the some children were killed. I remem- Connecticut about 12 years ago. We word out with HFSC? ber reading about it in the paper. The brought a video crew in during the I started doing fire safety demonstra- fatherwent out to the market but installation to show how the retrofit bons. I did a few on "Good Morning when he came back the apartment was done. America" where we did side-by-side was ablaze. He could hear his chil- I was very interested in how they burns. We would build two identical dren yelling `Daddy, please help us.' installed the fire sprinklers. They rooms, one with a sprinkler system That just went to my core. By that would run a pipe inside a closet or a and one without, and we would set time I had my daughter and couldn't laundry chute. Ittook alot ofplan- them on fire. In two to three minutes, imagine being in that situation. It ning so they didn't have to tear the temperatures in the unsprinklered was horrifying to me, the idea of be- house apart. Another thing you had room were up to 1,500 degrees. In the ing helpless to save your family. But to consider was the water pattern other room, the sprinkler would acti- Iwas also living in acenter-entrance from the sprinklers and how that vate and put the fire out. People could Colonial and had heard that the water pattern needed to overlap, see how the unsprinklered rooms center stairwell could fill with smoke There was a lot of thoughtful design quickly became unsurvivable, mostly and fire and could trap children and engineering that went into the because of the smoke. who were upstairs, preventing them sprinklers in my home. Once they The first side-by-side burn we did from being rescued during a fire. I were installed, it gave me immense was in Scottsdale, Arizona, to show was starting to become aware of the peace of mind. how quickly fire sprinklers could put kinds of threats fire posed. out the flame. I was geared up with a Later, on a visit to California, my Why was it so important to you mask, and when the smoke cleared I 18-month-old daughter fell into to have home fire sprinklers took it off but the fumes and vapors a pool. As she was sinking to the installed? from the burn were so strong that I bottom, she was looking up at me The thing about fatal fires is that most couldn't breathe. I remember thinking, and in her eyes, I could see her say- of them happen at night. If you have "If it's this bad with the smoke gone, ing, "Help me, Daddy." I remember smoke alarms, they're going to wake how bad would it be with the smoke?" imagining, "What if I couldn't do you up and alert you to the presence We also created a "burn trailer" anything about this?"She was totally of a fire so you can get out of there demonstration in Times Square in helpless, and was totally dependent and get your family out of there. It's New York City and lit the drapes on me. That, coupled with the situa- surprising how fast a fire can become on fire. When the curtains burned, tion of the dad who couldn't help his deadly-sometimes it's within only flames leaped to the ceiling and the children, gave me the feeling of what two to four minutes, and if you're sprinklers went off. The whole thing it felt like to not be able to help. waking up, that's not a lot of time. was put out in a matter of seconds by For a parent, it's probably the most Sprinklers can buy you that little bit sprinklers. horrifying thing you could think of of extra time to get out safely. One of the last burns we did was in when it comes to a child. Had I not June at the NFPA conference in Las Ve- beenthere topull mydaughter out Wouldn't smoke alarms alone gas. It was a very, very hot fire. It started of the pool that day, she would have do the job? fast and burned hot. The heat generated drowned. It wasn't hard for me to People should have anaccurate un- from it was impressive. We had flash- imaginethat situation in something derstanding of what a fire can be like. over in that fire in just about a minute. like a fire. It all came together for We have a lot of Hollywood versions We had firefighters and fire administra- me,and that's when I said, "This is of fire in our minds-a lot of flame tors on bleachers watching. They were important." and no smoke. We don't understand about 50 feet away but when the wind 14 NFPA 1oRNL OCTOBER 2016 9 i'r. `W7 a,~ h~ ~.Y LN p P ~ ~ r ~ fF x l 4" ry f • +.~a' m, t ri !11 ti`Y F v f J t. g.~~ ~ ii ~ ~ A/!~~ ~~~r ~ 1~ ~t~Iri 1~~~ 1 ~ ,1 ~ M 11 , r It~~ ~ , ~ ~ a~~Mw~~ ' d 11 ',1~ 0 1 k ` ~ ` ~ j ~ ~ 1~ s , ~ 4 E ~ ~ l ~ t~~ ~ I t . ~ ~ , i 1 ~ ~t ~i~ih~i~ i ~ ~ r~~ f a r ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~~E~ ~t ~ 1 , ` ~ ~`1 ~~~~i~ll~ ` . ~ . . b r, Tyco SimplexGrinnellnffers you the technology, service and experience you need to solve your most complex fire and life-safety issues. Whether it's ahigh-rise commercial property, healthcare facility or education campus, our solutions protect your people and property-and can save time, money and resources. We work hand in hand with architects, engineers and end users to increase system uptime, reduce interruptions, and leverage our electronic inspection capabilities for easy online access to data and reports. With forward/backward compatibility built in to our systems, your investment will last a long time. Find out how we can help you solve your toughest challenges. Far Life. "Visit wwwuu.TycoSimplexGrinnell.com. CO Safer, Smarter. Tyco.TM SimplexGrinnell IN A grabbed that smoke, you could feel it when you took in a breath. You can only imagine what it's like when it's pOSITIVE PERCEPTION concentrated >n a room. Anew report finds key stakeholder groups accept and value home fire sprinklers What else have you learned nce they become a requirement and the home. Their positive view is most clearly asso- abouthome fire sprinklers details of implementation are worked ciated with a sense of improved life safety (94 over the years? out, home fire sprinklers are well ac- percent), The majority of homeowners did not It's important to have three things: cepted and highly valued. Overall, consumers worry about water damage, though 32 percent Smoke alarms, sprinklers, and an and local government officials appreciate the indicated escape plan. MOSt families don't re- life safety benefits of home sprinklers, while concern water purveyors are willing to prepare the supply for water nfpa.org/foundation hearse a fire escape. They don t have infrastructure for sprinklers, damage to © Read the complete report a meeting point outside the house. Those are some of the key findings of a new furniture, on stakeholder perceptions They don't have an alternative escape report that looks at the stakeholder experience to the of home fire sprinklers. route for the kids. These are all things with home sprinklers in California and Maryland, structure, families should do. the only two states in the country with manila- or both, a finding that may indicate an oppor- tory requirements for home fire sprinklers, tunity for further education on home fire What do you tell people The report, "Stakeholder Perceptions of Home sprinklers. when you recommend home Fire Sprinklers," was commissioned by the Fire In terms of cost, the majority of homeown- Protection Research Foundation and is based ers did not believe they paid an additional cost sprinklers? on market research, conducted by Newport for the home fire sprinklers. The majority (62 They're all UL approved and they all Partners, that focuses on homeowners, local percent) of respondents answered that they work. The home fire sprinkler push government officials, and water purveyors, As did not know or left blank the question on has really been for putting sprinklers more states and jurisdictions consider sprinkler what they would pay for home fire sprinkler in new construction. That's a no- adoption, it was considered anopportune mo- installation. bralner, because It doesn't Cost that ment to gauge stakeholder perceptions in states much when you're building new, with widespread adoption. Key findings include: local government officials. It is clear that most local government officials view home fire Right now, the current price is about Homeowners. The majority of homeowners sprinklers in a positive light. The majority of $1.35 per sprinklered square foot, have a very positive view of sprinklers and participants believe that home fire sprinklers so for a 2,000-square-foot home, would seek to have them included in their next help reduce death and injury to both residents the COSt would be about ~2,~~~. A and firefighters and help reduce the costs due retrofit COSt5 about twice that because % % to fire damage. The conversation about home it involves opening walls. fire sprinklers seems to be more prevalent in Maryland than in California, but in both states What keeps you the majority felt the conversation was positive. While very few people indicated there was any interested in promoting negative tone to the conversation surrounding home fire sprinklers? home fire sprinklers, when they did, cost was I think that goes back to my own identified as the biggest issue. personal sense of the need to protect my family. I know that with sprin- ~ Water purveyors. Most water purveyors in klers, if there should be a fire it's both California and Maryland required a larger service line and a larger meter in advance of the going t0 be put out and it S not going sprinkler requirement taking effect. Purveyors to take the lives of my family. Fire typically deal up to the meter, so once the ser- fs so un redictable and I've seen ° p ~ ° vice line and upgraded meter are in place, water what can happen. But in sprinklered % utilities have little concern for home sprinklers. rooms, that fire 1S Out In a minute In Maryland, water purveyors are aware of the or two. It's like having a firefighter regulation but leave the application, imple- living inyour home. That's the kind mentation, maintenance, and performance to the permit and fire engineering departments. of peace of mind and security you're Purveyors in California have similar responses, getting with home fire sprinklers. though some participants interviewed identified That's probably the most Compelling additional requirements beyond the installation message we have. ~ standard or additional fees beyond usage fees, 16 f " OCTOBER 2016 I ~wx ~ r . , ~ 4 P s . k ,p ~ ryY.~e1e ~ ~ _ Y ' \ ~ Y' n. n. z?h a w~Am 1 rte" + : - ~ 44 r r - Yr ;J . ~ 4 dew Ain ~ ,.Awe+w W ~ y .i l ~ 'r n k r e ~ d L iy4q{'¢ , ~ 7 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~1 ~ u. i~ , ~ . , c. , d s n.. ~e ~ ~ v - a ~ my ~ 9 l~ S 9 y; e.. k rangy.'. _ 1,i.4 4. . , ~ ~ R r ' ~ ~ yy `~It 1 } ~ •u ~1 ~ e _ x ~f e. i" w ~ ° S~LBERG F 5 ~ . - , k ~ ~ ~1; ~ 4 ~ 3~ t . ~ , ~ t ~ k ~ e _ . ~ F x . ao - m - rwra- 7 - - ~4..._. - dd AW- ~ MM'W ~"k~lw~*wa~' d~~ 1 Solberg R E-H EALI NGr"' Foam not only provides the performance you are accustomed to with current firefighting foams, and rely on, it's also safe far your firefighters and the environments RE-HEALING Foam has superior vapor suppression and longer drain time for better burn-back resistance. 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Coleman was immediately reminded of _ another incident the week before, when he had responded to a fire at a yacht factory. Sprinklers prI ier aI t~ l Cbie had controlled the fire, the fire department squeegeed the floors, and the factory resumed business that day. "Not a single, solitary thing was lost in that building," says Coleman, a former state fire marshal for California who now consults for a handful of fire protection firms. "How is it that we can save a damn fiberglass boat, but we can't r ~ save a 13-year-old child? That was the galvaniz- ingmoment when I became a really strong fire sprinkler advocate." ~ More than four decades later, Coleman and y-~~' today's top safety experts cannot grasp why these kinds of events remain common today. Businesses, restaurants, hotels, concert venues- By Fred Durso, Jr. most of these settings have embraced the power of sprinkler protection for decades. Fire sprin- klers innew homes, advocates say, should be a For decades, N FPA has promoted fire sprinklers as non-issue, since homes are where toda 's bi est y gg the solution to North America's home fire problem, fire problem occurs-close to 3,000annual just as they have protected other settings for more fire deaths, or 80 percent of all U.S. fire deaths, than a century. Despite the efforts of advocates happen in homes. In 2015 alone, NFPA reported more than 365,000 home fires resulting in $7 and code requirements supporting the cause, billion in property loss. Research also confirms the question persists: How can this live-saving that today's homes are burning faster than ever technology make it into all new homes? due toopen-concept designs, engineeredbuild- ingmaterials, and upholstered furniture that has been likened to "foam gasoline." on Coleman can tell you the instant As dire as the home fire problem is, the solu- hebecame abeliever inhome fire tion exists. Since 2009, all U.S. model building sprinklers. codes have included the requirement-not It was the early 1970s, and Cole- the option-to sprinkler new homes, steps man was a battalion chief with the Costa Mesa, considered by safety advocates as historic California, Fire Department. Responding to advancements in improving home fire safety. a call, he arrived at the scene of an already If fire sprinklers are the answer, why hasn't this contained home fire and approached his life-saving technologybeen fully embraced? weary-looking captain, Ray Gallagher, in the "Quite frankly, we are outgunned and outspent driveway. A seasoned veteran firefighter, Galla- by the homebuilding industry when it comes to gher was typically guarded with his emotions, influencing policy makers," says Tim Travers, a but now he was crying. Coleman entered the regional sprinkler specialist for NFPA. home and saw what had provoked Gallagher's The housing industry tends to balk at fire reaction: the body of a 13-year-old girl, lodged sprinkler requirements, basing its opposition on 18 i~FA 1OURN~L OCTOBER 2016 I FEATURE ~~~~r 4 u b } ~ ~ rl~ ` ~a , 7t i ~i i ~9~` F , i i ~ a"~ I Iii i ~ ~ e .i. r ' r ~ _ _ ,:r i ~ ~i III ~ ' ~'~i"W e t . . -r ~ - ~ ~ r u., g r,,. ~ ',.r.. , , , ~ i ~ W' n t _ e r,.,: . . ~ c~ ' 3 d ft µ i i f'. i r i d y 'ri, / A ` "'d . ..=SAY' i n~ i 1 Jp~` i+ J ~~x ~i ~ F/f t ~ ; k ~ 1 1 1 . C r 1 '1 1 1 .1 1 1 ;:',.L ;1' 1'1 1 1 1 1 11 1 1 1 / 1' " 1 1. 1 / 1 / Photograph: Cherie Diaz, St Petersburg Times OCTOBER 2016 fP 1RAL 19 ~~e , t > ~ ~ ~ ~ . : a ~ .d t v~ ~ { > ~~r s~ • If' ~ • 4 ~ f"' t e,,, ~ a ~ ~ , I~ E w,, ~ r. ~ r ~ ~ a . ~F, ,v t r.. h ~ S . .'1s 1: ~r ~Y . ~ e - ~ t y~i F X ' U h _ ~+::M '~fi~tt'i r£ - ~ ~t - ~ ~ ~ ~ i' F k b ~ e ~ ,:-a w. r k...r~ I i. + ~ A .5: ~~4 1~' ~ a ';'DMA ~t hr ~ . Y j F i r .k ,r ~ 4. ~ ~ nA "l ~ . 1 y 6+e A . i 1'4t vYe r z a t ~ y ~ _ a ,tip-, ~ ~ ~ ~ v ' ~g, E e „ g . x ~ - , +x # 4 # 2 ~ ~ a 4;4 ~ / ~ V ~w;, ~ ~ .J ~ ~ ~ 4 -k. .tip E ~ M. n SAP ~ ' . Ir M ~~~5~ Su.~'~. v numerous sprinkler myths, including community water resources, for (HFSC}, a nonprofit sprinkler educa- claims ofinflated installation costs instance-believe these myths or tion group founded 20 years ago, that it argues will price people out of are swayed by their own sprinkler have led to a more informed public homes. According to a recent article misperceptions, which can negatively on the need for sprinklers and their by ProPublica (propublica.org), an impact installations. affordability and operation. Sprinkler independent investigative journal- These setbacks have only ener- advocacy coalitions have been formed ism organization, homebuilders have gized safety advocates, who are on in more than half of all U.S. states. spent more than $517 million in the a coordinated mission to promote Hundreds of communities and two last decade on state politics that have the truth about home fire sprinklers. states have adopted sprinkler require- beeninfluential inthwarting sprin- Building on momentum initiated by menu with support from NFPA's Fire kler requirements in at least 25 states. NFPA and others in the 1970s, legions Sprinkler Initiative, a campaign aimed Sprinkler opponents are also influ- of advocates have been joining forces, at increasing sprinkler requirements encing state legislators and affecting creating an effective grassroots for new homes. code-making decisions. Moreover, movement localizing fire sprinkler "Home fire sprinklers are the final other groups with a potential stake education and advocacy. The efforts frontier in the effort to reduce the in fire sprinklers-those overseeing of the Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition fire problem," says Lorraine Carli, Z~ NFPAlNAt OCTOBER 2016 Photograph: AP/Wide World ' FEATURE {a ij, t ~ NFPA's vice president of Outreach and act as an educator of this Advocacy and president of the HFSC. concept to the public." p a i ~ ~ "Sprinklers have become common- After leaving Costa Mesa to n ! n ~~g place m virtually every other type of become fire chief of the San building, except where the majority Clemente, California, Fire ag . of fires are happening. Our work to Department, Ron Coleman ~ - see home fire sprinklers become as embraced the educator role prevalent as sprinklers in other types when he began his mission - ' t of buildings will nearly eliminate fire to sprinkler every new home ' ' a deaths." in town. "Our city manager told me [in the mid-1970s], THE MORE THINGS CHANGE... `we're going to quadruple the In 1973, the National Commission on size of the city in 10 years. I'd . . Fire Prevention and Control released like you to do whatever you ` "America Burning,"abroad and can to limit the fire prob- . . bluntly critical look at the country's lem."' Coleman advocated fire problem. Akey recommenda- for a home fire sprinkler _ tion of the landmark report supports ordinance; over the course of "improved automatic extinguish- % five years, he organized close ing systems that would find ready to 501ive demonstrations for acceptance by Americans in all kinds his city council using sprin- ofdwelling units." The emphasis on klered and unsprinklered sprinklers supported a central tenet of structures. ~ ~ NFPA: fire sprinklers had led to NFPA's Pushback was swift, and II formation in 1896, when a group of included resistance from insurers, witnessing the value of this Coleman's colleagues in technology, standardized sprinkler the fire service. "Several fire installation in commercial settings and chiefs told me my fire service ~4r~ _ ~ ~ ~ created provisions that would become career was over due to my _ NFPA 13, Installation of Sprinkler Systems. • • • • • • • • • • • ~ ~ ~ • • advocacy for fire sprinklers," Heeding the recommendation in he says, adding that some fire ~ ~ "America Burning," NFPA created service members still believe a committee in 1973 to develop a fire sprinkler ordinances standard for sprinkleringone- and seconds will make their jobs obso- two-family dwellings. Home fire data lete. "Most of the arguments then were largely similar to current trends: about 80 percent of all also being articulated by fire deaths from 1977 to 1981 were the result of fires that occurred the National Association of in homes. Though more people died in home fires then-more than Home Builders at the time 7,000 people annually-a person's risk of dying from these incidents haven't changed significantly has remained about the same. Understanding that fire sprinklers since 30 years ago. They still can significantl~.y cut this risk, fire safety experts began extolling the ~ say [fire sprinkler ordinances] benefits of sprinklers in homes. will kill housing." In 1975, NFPA issued NFPA 13D, Installation of Sprinkler Systems inOne- billion Coleman's relentless myth- andTwo-Family Dwellings and Manufactured Homes. The 1980 edition was busting and tailored demon- thefirst torequire the use of listed home fire sprinklers during instal- strations paid off; San Clem- lation. Ayear later, according to Popular S~ien~e, Grinnell developed the ente's ordinance to sprinkler first listed sprinkler for home use. (For more on this development, see its new homes, the country's "Looking Back," page 80j. In a prescient assessment, a 1980 issue of first, was passed in 1979. NFPA's membership magazine, then known as Fire Journal, stated that More than 150 California "residential sprinkler technology...will dramatically improve in the communities passed similar near future, and interest in it will greatly increase. The fire service could local ordinances over the next OCTOBER 2016 1dPA lOURA~ 21 HOME FIRE SPRINKLERS ; ~ - z . ~ _ e; .6 ~ ~ ~ ~ a8 HK lE RP EST a . ED ~ , ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ a ` f ~ xa ~ 4 ~ - ; ~ f ` A" it `Y~ R~ . t~~;~ ~ , } ~ _ ~ ~ ~ - i <a~ - ~ tom,.. fit: ~ ~ ~ t r 2; ; , ~ a . i~. - o ~ ~.~.4... ~ v;-. - r - - A w. ....Y'.,~.. ~ y:. eke. . f .s - M, c 4 ~+C. - ,ter h _ ~ _ w , . , ; ''R ~ _ .a,:..~, - , . . ~ a ~ _ 1 1~ ,Rw T- r :v: .r _ , ~ ' two decades, making the passage of a Sprinkler Coalition toeducate resi- passed a similar ordinance in 1992. statewide requirement in 2010 palat- dents on sprinkler operation. "It's like Both have researched the outcomes; able to both the state's fire service and painting the Golden Gate Bridge. You Scottsdale's property losses due to the local homebuilding association. start at one end, and by the time you fire are a fraction of the national Countering the popular homebuilder get to the other end you've got to start average see "Desert Success" on claim that sprinkler requirements painting the bridge all over again. page 60), and Prince George's County stall housing development, California We're never done." has experienced no fire deaths in its built more than 130,000 single-family sprinklered homes since the ordi- homesand more than 150,000 multi- FROM EDUCATORS TO nance was passed. family homes between 2011, when the ADVOCATES "We didn't use the word `advocacy' statewide requirement took effect, and Over the decade following San back then, but where appropriate, 2014, according to published sources. Clemente's ordinance, other U.S. we assisted those who tried to put "[Sprinkler education] is an communities followed suit. In 1986, sprinkler provisions forward," says ongoing experience that you can't Scottsdale, Arizona, began requir- Gary Keith, former NFPA vice presi- afford toslack off on,"says Coleman, ing sprinklers in its new homes, and dent of Field Operations and Education who works with the California Fire Prince George's County, Maryland, who joined NFPA's staff in 1995 and 22 NAPA JOURNAL OCTOBER 2016 Photograph: Jonathan Zalkin, Krull & Associates FEATURE (NFSA), were also championing for side-by-side flashover~sprinkler sprinklered homes, but Keith admits demonstrations for the public and the educational messaging from all community decision makers. In these three organizations was disjointed demonstrations, two eight-by-eight- and none could devote the attention foot structures-one equipped with to it that was needed. fire sprinklers, one without-are As a wa to coordinate efforts and set ablaze as audiences watch and ~ y provide a unified voice for home compare the outcome. These side- sprinklers, the Home Fire Sprinkler by-side events display a startling Coalition (HFSC) was formed in 1996, fact: today's home fires can become 7 ~ ~ ~ with found- deadly in as little ~ - ing members ~~Several f ire chiefs as two minutes. including This is in part _ ~ NFPA, AFSA, Y ~ t0~d me m fire due to the materi- and NFSA. In als and methods ~ ~ service career was ` keeping with used to construct the mission OVer due t~ m many new homes. it develo ed ~ Toda 's buildin p Y g 20years ago, advocacy f~r fire material of choice, HFSC offers free kl r ~ ~ engineered lumber, and unbiased sprin e s is made of wood ~ - educational fibers and other Nµ~~ . , -resources for materials bonded the fire service, together and i'~ i,^'3~:r s homebuilders, and other stake- utilized as part of a building process holders-all housed on its newly commonly referred to as "lightweight revamped website, HomeFireSprin- construction." While the materials are kler.org. Through the years, HFSC considered environmentally friendly has expanded its board to include and as structurally sound as traditional ..f ~ property insurers, fire service organi- dimensional lumber, they behave very . , ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ zations, and others. differently when subjected to fire; stud- As a community's most trusted ies document this material collaps- ~ ~ ~ _ safety source, the fire service has ing under fire in about six minutes, been the biggest promoter of HFSC compared to about 19 minutes for materials and the home fire sprinkler homes built with traditional dimen- served asHFSC president while he message. Through HFSC's Built for sional lumber. Compounding the was with NFPA. "Since sprinklers in Life Fire Department Program, 2,800 problem is modern furniture stuffed new homes were not a code require- U.S. and Canadian fire departments with synthetic materials, including ment at that point, it was unusual for have pledged to make home fire highly combustible polyurethane NFPA to be out in front of the codes. sprinklers a priority of their outreach. foam, that burn quicker than the wool We had some discussions on whether A popular tactic by these depart- and cotton used in older "legacy" that was OK, and determined that it ments has been conducting live furniture. While aesthetically pleasing, was because of the importance of the issue." Other orga- o • /o nizations, including • the American Fire ' ' Sprinkler Associa- tion (AFSA) and the National Fire Sprin- klerAssociation OCTOBER 2016 FDA 1~R~6Al 23 HOME FIRE SPRINKLERS k- s• s 444 ' ~'~e' I F •,S~`~ anvYv y ~ q, ! , `k y;~~ ~E Ate. I ~ ' ~ 3, , . + , ' ~ ~r F t~ r, ~ ~ A~'~ f c c ~a 3 < ~ v q' v d ti n s t,~~. r b a ~w~ # , ~a~~ vim,.. a~ . ~ ~ . - , a - - a t r~ F . e,. _ ~k ~ r. 1,: i { ' a ~3. i Y, k ~ _ ae ~ ~ _ rye, ~ u, 1 today's large, open-concept homes building code toinclude a provi- International Residential Code can also lead to rapid fire spread. Sion requiring sprinklers in new included the requirement in its 2009 As a result of HFSC's public educa- one- and two-family homes. "This edition following anoverwhelm- tionefforts, code-making bodies was the first time any national ing majority vote. Subsequent eventually took notice of this deadly model code process said, `this is the editions of each code have included trio and how fire sprinklers can right thing to do,"'says Keith, who the requirement to sprinkler new reduce the risk of fire deaths by more is now vice president ofEngineer- homes. Getting the sprinkler than 80 percent. The 2006 edition of ing Standards at FM Global and requirement adopted by states and NFPA 5000°, Building Construction and represents FMG on HFSC's board. towns was the next step, but NFPA Safety Code, was the first U.S. model The International Code Council's knew it needed an army of advo- cates tomake that happen. There was no better model than NFPA's Coalition for Fire-Safe TAKE Learn fire sprinkler myths and facts: Cigarettes Campaign, the associa- tion'sinitial foray into advocacy, Show your support for home fire Download NFPA's research reports which was launched in 2006. ~Uith sprinklers by taking these steps underscoring today's home fire problem and more than 50 national and state fire sprinkler effectiveness: Use HFSC's free tools to educate your community safety groups On board, the Coalition about the need for home fire sprinklers: fought the powerful tobacco lobby Hear and share stories from NFPA's Faces of Fire Campaign of people impacted by home fires and to help pass legislation requiring Join or start a state sprinkler coalition and lend saved by fire sprinklers: the manufacture offire-safe ciga- yourvoice tothe cause; rettes in all U.S. states. Following Promote home fire sprinklers using the Fire that success, NFPA asked the fire Stay up-to-date on crucial news related to today's Sprinkler Initiative's free advocacy tools: service what else it Should address home fires by subscribing to NFPA's Fire Sprinkler Initiative newsletter: on a national level. Their answer was resounding: home fire sprinklers. 24 ~d~ J~ Via" ~ OCTOBER 2016 Photograph: Getty Images I FEATURE In 2009, NFPA launched the Fire Sprinkler Initiative, which Massachusetts Fire Sprinkler links advocates with resources to promote fire sprinkler require- Coalition organized a similar menu tocode-making bodies and legislators. The initiative event, resulting in the Massa- offers on-the-ground support and free resources, including chusetts Building Commission- HFSCmaterial, via its website, FireSprinklerInitiative.org. NFPA ers and Inspectors Association research on home fire sprinklers has also furthered the cause; its openly supporting home fire two landmark reports on sprinkler installation costs place the sprinklers on both the legisla- nationalaverage atabout one percent of a home's total construe- tive and regulatory fronts," says tion cost. NFPA's Tim Travers. "We thought we'd be on an offensive strategy in proposing state- These local efforts have led wide adoptions," says Keith, who oversaw the launch ofthe initia- to increased sprinkler accep- tive. "What quickly happened in the first two years, thanks to efforts tance and installation, but by the local homebuilding associations, was a defensive strategy to NFPA's Lorraine Carli admits try to fight roadblocks and challenges to get provisions adopted." amore unified acceptance For instance, a requirement to sprinkler Pennsylvania's new across North America will take homes was slated to take effect in 2011, but lobbyists support- time. "There is a long history of ing the homebuilding industry helped to repeal the requirement resistance to adding fire safety that year. In other states, legislators have removed the ability for measures in homes using the communities to adopt requirements locally. "Both California same erroneous arguments- andMaryland [the other state requiring home fire sprinklers] % that they cost too much, they benefited from the fact that the state allowed local adoptions," thwart building, they aren't says Keith. "Therefore, you have more support for it at the state necessary," says NFPA's Carli. level. In many states, that situation can't occur because you "We saw it with smoke alarms can't have any jurisdiction passing it locally. You don't have the and electrical safety. In order advantage of that slow-and-steady support that could lead to a to overcome resistance to statewide provision." home fire sprinklers, we need Another challenge has been some fire service members who consumers to demand homes are not fully on board for the cause-as Coleman noted, some that are up to code, build- arguehome fire sprinklers will diminish the need for firelight- , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ers who embrace safety as a ers, thereby placing them out of a job. In other cases, fire service market differentiator, and fire members admit to experiencing "firefighter fatigue" when it % service members who talk comes to battling the opposition or local politicians who don't about the benefits of sprin- supportsprinkler requirements, thereby leading them to remain klers the way they talk about silent on the issue. "While many fire service leaders are support- the value of working smoke ive of home fire. sprinklers, there are some at the local level who alarms." aren't-even though sprinklers address a huge firefighter safety Coleman is confident advo- issue,"says Jeffery Hudson, an NFPA regional sprinkler specialist. cases will accomplish these Addressing these and other setbacks are close to 30 state . . . . . tasks. "We have made huge sprinkler coalitions. Comprising fire safety groups and sprinkler inroads in the last 10 to 20 supporters, the coalitions organize public outreach to promote ~ years," he says. "I used to joke home fire sprinklers and strategize on how best to influ- ~ that we could hold a meeting ence local officials. As a member of each coalition, NFPA has for sprinkler advocates in a supported their efforts with its Bringing Safety Home Grants, telephone booth. Now there are awarding $200,000 over the past two years to further sprinkler many advocates generating a lot education and advocacy efforts. NFPA is currently working with of enthusiasm and support for safety advocates in Canada to initiate the country's first provi- the cause." sional coalitions. These efforts are gradually converting the opposition. The Fred Durso, Jr., is communica- ConnecticutFire Sprinkler Coalition, for instance, organized a tions manager for NFPA's Fire special summit for local water purveyors and building officials last Sprinkler Initiative. Follow him year to dispel sprinkler myths. "I was pleasantly surprised that the on Twitter @FredDursoJr. OCTOBER 2016 Jf 25 SPRINKLER ~_v_ ~ Y t { Y F I lr s xFy[ y ~ ~ f~ ~ ~ _ r + 'ti ~ .s, i.^Y f • ~ I~Y• ~ r Y ~r i~ % I, ~~L ! n._..~.._ t M1 ~ y ~ ' } ,il1ll ~b ! ~ ~ y ' 1~ i u ~M~. ! ~ _ _ ~g _ - _ 4, , ~ W ~y .Y- s ~ ~ ~ ` I~, - of - ~ 4 3 ' ~I k~ I~,, ~ - :~t~f.,.. - . ~ _ ,fie a., a ~ ~ t~'~ • .a' ~ e ~ s_~ " ~ ~ , , Garage sprinkler actlvateS wheel get a garden hose while the neighbor with the sprinkler located above Charging batteries Overheat called 911. the bench, activating the sprinkler's ARIZONA-Damage was contained The resident reported to firefighters water flow. when a sprinkler in a residential that as she was retrieving the garden Damage from the fire was con- garageactivated and discharged hose, she heard the automatic sprin- tained to the backboard and contents water on a fire that began when kler alarm bell sounding and saw the of the workbench. Investigators indi- batteries overheated as they were black smoke turn white as the flames cated that there was minimal water being recharged on a workbench. A shrunk to six inches or a foot. She damage from the sprinkler discharge resident finished extinguishing the could see a single sprinkler head dis- and extinguishment. remains of the fire with a garden hose charging water as the smoke cleared, News reports estimated the dam- before firefighters arrived following a and she then doused the remaining ages at $1,000 and placed the value 911 call by a neighbor. fire with the hose. of the building and contents at over The resident was inside her house Investigators determined that the $600,000. at approximately 12:50 p.m. when resident's husband was charging the neighbor alerted her that smoke model airplane batteries on the work- Home sprinklers Snuff fire in was coming from the garage. As the bench while he was in the backyard water heater closet resident investigated, she saw a thick of the residence. As the batteries ARIZONA- A single sprinkler layer of black smoke inside the garage overheated, they resulted in a fire that extinguished afire in asingle-family and extending out an open garage ignited the workbench and combus- house that had been heavily damaged door, with flames approximately 3 tibles situated on top of it. The fire by fire 10 years earlier and rebuilt feet high coming from a workbench spread upward until the upper hot with home fire sprinklers. The one- along one of the walls. She went to convective gas layer came in contact story, wood-frame dwelling also had 26 FPd130URNAl OCTOBER 2016 Photograph: Bret Lucas, Prescott, Arizona, Fire Department I smoke alarms in the bedrooms, but alarm at 11:52 a.m., and firefighters flow alarm go off, looked in the garage, the sprinkler extinguished the fire responded to find smoke coming from and saw that it was full of black smoke. before they could operate. the garage. The fire had already been She then noticed that the toy table had The homeowner smelled smoke and extinguished by one sprinkler head. melted, and she moved it outside into investigated, bu.t she could not find the They checked the attic for fire exten- the yard. source until they sprinkler activated. She Sion and found none. The house, valued at $150,000, and called 911 at 11 p.m., and firefighters The child's 19-year-old sister told its contents, valued at $50,000, sus- arrivedseven minutes later. investigators that she heard the sprinkler tamed losses estimated at $100. Investigators determined that apro- tectivecover plate for the pilot on the home's gas-fired water heater was not in place and that heat emanating from it i~ ignited a straw broom stored nearby. Fire damaged the broom and the vacuum cleaner in the water heater closet before the 155°F pendent head operated. The house and its contents, valued at ~ d $300,000, sustained $1,000 in damage. Sprinkler controls fire started by child playing with lighter ~ ARIZONA-Afour-year-old boy playing with a lighter ignited clothing in a closet ~ ~ in his two-family home. Heat from the ~ ` fire activated a home sprinkler, which extinguished the flames before they spread throughout the house. Each unit of the one-story, wood- 4 frame dwelling covered approximately 1,500 square feet (139 square meters). The bedrooms and hallways were equipped with smoke detectors, and wet-pipe sprinklers protected the entire structure. The home's smoke detectors sound- ed at 3:12 p.m., alerting an unidenti- fled occupant, who called 911. Upon arrival, firefighters noted light smoke coming from the house and discovered the remains of the fire in the closet. Sprinkler extinguishes garage fire insingle-family home ARIZONA-A single sprinkler extin- guished afire that investigators believe started when a child's plastic table AGF's CORR~t~S1T~ Corrosion Monitors provide a simple to install, ignited in the first-floor garage of a maintenance-free, and inexpensive method to monitor for hidden corrosion problems in any fire protection system. When the monitor single-family home. corrodes beyond it's limit moisture penetrates the sealed chamber and The one-story wood-frame house transforms the brilliant white sight glass to a fluorescent orange color. was equipped with smoke alarms and Available in an in-line pipe or mechanical flee. NFPA 13D wet-pipe sprinklers that provided coverage in all the living areas and the garage. ~ ~ ~ The fire department received the OCTOBER 2016 NFPA JO~dRNAI Z/ SPRINKLER Sprinklers extinguish fan fire and that he now knewthat sprinkler before it was extinguished by the in vacant home systems work, sprinkler. Crews shut the sprinklers ARIZONA-A fan left on in a vacant There was fire damage to an electric down and vacuumed up standing home caught fire in the middle of the fan and a rug underneath the fan but water in the residence, then restored night, but the residence's sprinklers no smoke or fire damage in any rooms the sprinkler system by replacing the activated and extinguished the fire, other than the bedroom in which single head. which was said to cause minimal the fan was located. According to a Crews cleared the scene approxi- smokeand water damage. newspaper report, the investigators mately one hour after receiving the A neighbor summoned the fire determined that the plastic fan caught alarm at 2:35 p.m. department after he was awakened fire and then fell to the floor, where it Damage to the property was esti- by anexterior water flow bell at ap- ignited the carpet. mated at $3,000. proximately 2:27 a.m, and saw that No dollar estimates of damage were the house was full of smoke. Two fire available. Sprinkler extinguishes garage departments responded to the alarm, fire involving bag of charcoal but the fire was out by the time crews Sprinkler extinguishes home CALIFORNIA-An automatic detec- arrived atthe scene. Cooking fire, (imps damage tion system dispatched firefighters to Crews shut off water, shut power CALIFORNIA-Firefighters anearly-morning residential fire, but down at the breaker, and unplugged responded to amid-afternoon house crews arrived to find that a fire that the fan. An engine crew secured the fire and arrived to find light smoke had ignited in the garage had already scene because the home's owner was throughout the dwelling and an acti- been extinguished by an automatic not present. vated sprinkler head in the kitchen, home fire sprinkler. News coverage reported that the which had extinguished the fire. The residence was atwo-story fire damage was minimal, with the The fire began when a resident left a single-family dwelling. The entire homeowner remarking that things pot of potatoes cooking on the stove. structure was protected byauto- wouldhave been much worse The fire spread from the stove to an matic wet-pipe sprinklers. The fire without the home's sprinkler system overhead microwave and cabinet originated in a bag of charcoal in a 1 ' ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Jointhisexcitin new g NFPA®online communit . (It's free and easy!) y nfpa.org/Xchange 28 NfPA JiJAI OCTOBER 2016 I garage on the first floor. The source dential garage. The neighbors heard that provided coverage for about 600 of ignition was not identified, but the the alarm and called 911. square feet (55 square meters}. fire activated a local alarm bell that The single story wood-frame The 911 call came in at 12:13 p.m., notified the fire department, and one detached garage, which was 20 feet and firefighters arrived at the house sprinkler head opened and extin- (6 meters) long and 30 feet (9 meters) eight minutes later to find the alarm guished the fire. wide, included a concrete floor and a still operating, smoke showing, and In a local newspaper report, the fire basement. The home fire sprinklers water coming from under the garage chief cited the incident as an excellent were part of an NFPA 13D system door. Once inside, firefighters dis- example of how home fire sprin- klerscan save lives and property. Total losses from the fire were estimated at $ 2,000. Sprinklers control car fire in ~ o single-family home's garage CALIFORNIA--Two sprinklers in ~K 'r' the garage of asingle-family home ~ controlled a fire in the engine com- . ~ ~ ~ Y L partment of a car until firefighters arrived to extinguish it. ~ is ~ 1 1 ( The two-story wood-frame ~ k house, which covered an area ~ ~ of 2,400 square feet (223 square ~ ~ meters), included hardwired smoke alarms as well as NFPA 13D wet- ' ~ ' pipe sprinklers. ~ ~ , . , , The sprinkler's water flow alarm sounded locally, alerting ' ' ~ ~ ` the home's occupants, who called 1 911 at 9:11 p.m. Firefighters ar- r ~ ~ rived 2 minutes later to find that ~ . the sprinklers had confined the flames to the vehicle, which was fully involved. 'They advanced hose lines into the garage to complete extinguishment. The interior of the The A. James Clark School of Engineering offers a Master of Engineering vehicle was heavily damaged, and and a Graduate Certificate in Engineering in Fire Protection Engineering the garage sustained some fire and via on-campus, online, or a combination of both. water damage. Our online graduate programs were ranked one of the best by Investigators believe that a me- U.S, News & woad Report, and our instructors' extensive professional chanical failure caused an engine credentials, networks, and research enhance the quality of your part to overheat and ignite. The house, valued at $300,000, educational experience, sustained losses estimated at $8,000, PROGRAM HIGHt1GHTS while its contents sustained $3,000 ~ The only ABET accredited FPE program in the world worth of damage. ~ Largest FPE network anywhere. ~ Online programs that can be completed in as little as 1~ months. Trash can fire in garage LEARN MORE, GO FURTHER controlled by single sprinkler Visit advancedengineering.umd.edu/enfp001 CALIFORNIA-A single sprin- kleractivated tocontrol afire that ,,~„r began when ashes in a plastic trash ~AMES LARK can ignited other combustibles in - s y o L F ~ NC; t N E ~ 1 N{, 7f~~1, the can, which was stored in a resi- OCTOBER 2016 NEPA 10UBNA! 29 SPRINKLER covered that the sprinkler had nearly Water did $500 in structural dam- that provided coverage in all of the extinguished the fire. age to the house, which was valued dwelling's living areas. The owner of the house told roves- at $82,000. Its contents, valued at An employee of a carpet clean- tigatorsthat friends who were staying $10,000, sustained an estimated loss ing service who saw the fire notified over had inadvertently disposed of $1,000. the homeowners, who called 911 at of the ashes in the trash. The area 9:30 a.m. before evacuating without around the trash can and one side of Fire in malfunctioning micro- incident. Investigators determined a vehicle parked in the garage suffered wave controlled by sprinklers that the blaze, which was of undeter- someheat damage. ARIZONA-A fire that began inside mined electrical origin, started in the Damage to the structure and its a malfunctioning microwave oven unsprinklered two-car garage at the contents was estimated at $2,000 and was almost completely extinguished front of the house. $3,000, respectively. The fire depart- by an automatic home fire sprinkler Property damage to the house and ment report noted that "no doubt the before firefighters arrived at the garage was estimated at $60,000. sprinkler played a key role in limiting scene of the incident, following a 911 Damage to the contents of the house what would have been a much more call from a resident of the single- and garage, which included the extensive fire." family home. destruction of two cars, was also esti- Thecommunity's fire chief in- mated at $60,000. Sprinkler douses fire started dicated in news reports that the by child playing with lighter sprinkler operated as designed and Sprinkler controls fire in FLORIDA-Firefighters responding that firefighting crews only had to put garage started by heat lamp to a public assist call for a water leak a small amount of water on the fire to WASHINGTON-A single sprinkler at asingle-family home were notified complete extinguishment. in a three-car garage attached to a en route that the alarm company was Reports indicated that the resident single-family home controlled a fire reporting an operating water flow discovered the fire when he heard that started when a heat lamp fell alarm at the house. crackling from the microwave and into a chicken brooding pen and The attached two-story wood- saw smoke, then opened the oven ignited wood shavings. frame townhouse was constructed door to discover a burning wire. He The two-story wood-frame with concrete block walls, a stucco was instructed to evacuate the house house, which was built in 2005, was exterior, and awood-truss roof upon making his call to 911. equipped with NFPA 13D sprinklers covered by plywood and composite The house was asingle-story struc- and also included single-station shingles. The property was protected ture with a ground floor area cover- smoke alarms that were located by a sprinkler system. ing 1,500 square feet (139 square throughout the structure. The sprin- Aftercontrolling the sprinkler meters). The house was constructed klers operated as designed during water flow, a fire department officer with a wood frame and walls and a the incident, as did the fire detection noted two areas of burning and con- wood roof frame and deck. The home system. The residents were not at tacted investigators, who determined was protected by an NFPA 13D sprin- home at the time of the fire. that a child had used a lighter to kler system. A neighbor called 911 to report ignite paper at the living room door The fire caused an estimated the blaze at 3:45 p.m., and arriving leading to the garage. $10,000 in damage to the house, firefighters found light, white smoke The boy said that he tried to use valued at $200,000, and $10,000 in showing from the garage doors. Once the contents of a plastic sports drink damage to its contents, which were inside, firefighters discovered that bottle to extinguish the flames, think- valued at $60,000. asingle sprinkler had activated and ing it was water, but that the fire had confined the fire to the garage. When come back at him, burning his hand. Electrical fire in garage they forced open the front door of The boy's mother had apparently controlled by sprinklers the home, they found light smoke been painting and put acetone in the MARYLAND-Asingle-family house inside the house and heard the smoke plastic container. was spared significant damage when a alarms sounding. The flash fire, which spread to fire that started in the garage activated The house, valued at $304,000, an interior door as well as to the a sprinkler system in the living areas sustained $62,000 in damage. Its adjacent wall, generated a sufficient of the residence. contents, which were valued at amount of heat to activate the sprin- The two-story wood-frame house, $228,000, sustained an estimated loss kler and sound an external water flow which covered an area of 1,250 of $46,000. There were no injuries. alarm, allowing the family to evacu- square feet (111 square meters), was However, a few young chickens died ate safely. equipped with wet-pipe sprinklers in the fire. 30 PIFPA 1~URNAL OCTOBER 2016 e~., ~ i'. . . ~~s f. t • N k Y ~ .s~ , ' f ~ ~ ~ ~ ' z ~ Team NFSA is challenging the status quo, making a 3'~' ~ ~ Q difference to our Contractor, Supplier, Manufacturer, i a ~ - ~ ~ Professional and Subscriber Members and committed 0 f ~ ~Q~ to providing top notch service. ~ ~ ~ 3 ~ ~ _ Following are examples of the outstanding benefits ~ _ ~ G.~ you'll receive when you tom our team: ~~n `7 ~ ■ NFSA's ~;x pert o f the Day program provides ~ S~~ technical assistance that saves members money, often RINK enough to pay for a year's dues. ■ ~TFSA's Field O Aerations Team advances local causes such as commercial and residential market protection and development, high-rise retrofit and inspection, testing and maintenance enforcement. We are the ` ~ connection for AHJ's and Contractors. I` r'' ~ c ~ ■ NF A members save on our trainin and education S g programs that set the technical and enforcement ~ ~ e ~ benchmark for the nation. .~~~t~ ~ " ~ ■NFSA prvvic~es its members with the opportunity ~s ~ ~ to represent the fire sprinkler industry on important " ~ ~ local, state and national code and standards making s ~l , committees and NFSA committees. ~ ,M~ ■ NFSA's extensive Cha ter network rovides members ~ p p with nationwide peer networking opportunities. ■NFSA n~raintains a presence on Capitol Hill where relationships are built with national, state and local '~PRINKL~R"PR01E fire protection organizations to move public fire ~f ~ S protection legislation and much, much more ~~~M Sv ort theAssociotion PP that Su orts You! 4~ .L. PP . _ , ~ . ~ Join today at www.n fsa.org @NFSAorg . ~ Nat Firesprinkler National Fire Sprinkler Association SPRINKLER Debunking 10 Myths About Home F~re Sprinklers MYTH 4 MYTH Every time I burn the bacon, I'll set off a sprinkler. Newer homes are safer homes. FACT FACT Nome sprinklers are activated by temperature, not smoke, You In a fire, unprotected lightweight construction used in many may set off a smoke alarm, but you won't trigger asprinkler- modern homes burns quicker and fails #aster than traditional unless the burned bacon becomes a sufficiently large fire. materials. New homes can contain modern furnishings made of synthetic materials, resulting in a greater fuel load, faster © MYTH fire propagation, and a more toxic environment. I have smoke alarms so I don't need fire sprinklers. FACT ©MYTH Home fire sprinklers leak or activate accidentally. Smoke alarms are essential in every home. But they can only detect smoke from a fire. Fire sprinklers detect the fire and FACT automatically control it, saving lives and property. Sprinkler leaks are very rare and are no mare likely than leaks from a home`s plumbing system. A sprinkler is calibrated © MYTH to activate when it senses a significant heat change. They Smoke alarms will give my family enough time to don't operate in response to smoke, cooking vapors, steam, safely exit if there's a fire. or the sound of a smoke alarm. FACT ; MYTH Maybe. While smoke alarms are a critical first step in home Sprinklers are unattractive and will ruin the fire safety, studies have shown that fires in modern homes can aesthetics of my home. grow quickly and reach flashover in as little as two to three min- utes-conditions that can be avoided with home fire sprinklers, FACT providing you and your family with valuable time to escape. New home fire sprinkler models are unobtrusive, can be mounted flush with walls or ceilings, and can be 0 MYTH concealed behind decorative covers. When a fire occurs, every sprinkler will activate and everything in the house will be O MYTH ruined by water damage. Sprinklers are not practical in colder climates, FACT since the pipes will freeze and cause water damage. Because home sprinklers are triggered by arise intempera- FACT tore, typically only the sprinkler closest to the fire will activate. With proper installation, sprinklers will not freeze. NFPA 13D, Water is sprayed directly on the fire, leaving the rest of the Installation of Sprinkler Systems in (one-and T~o- housedry and secure. Roughly 85 percent of the time. when family Dwellings and Manufactured Homes, includes guide- there's afire, just one sprinkler operates. lines on proper insulation to prevent pipes from freezing. MYTH ~ MYTH The fire department will be able to put out The water damage caused by sprinklers will be the fire and save my things. more extensive than the fire damage. FACT FACT In the 9 to 12 minutes it typically takes a fire department to In a fire, sprinklers quickly control heat and smoke. Any water respond, an uncontrolled fire will grow and spread through the damage from the sprinkler will be much less severe than the home, causing tremendous smoke and fire damage. In a fire, damage caused by water from firefighting hose lines. Fire sprinklers can control and may even extinguish a fire in less departments use 10 times as much water as home fire time than it would take the fire department to arrive. sprinklers, and ofteo`~ much more, to extinguish a fire. 32 " OCTOBER 2016 it ■ ■ ~ ~ i n¢ § d x 1 • • IAFC ~~_x ~ I AFSA_ American Fire Canadian Automatic SprinklerAssociation Sprinkler Association ~ ~,tiLEN FI ~Pti ~F ~r~ ~y V The Voice of the Fire Sprinkler Industry .~~~~~R~MaP,11~, NFPA® 1',,,`' ~L,~r' 1~'oU toy' X ND AT ~ D~,pNTEEgF~~FC Sfafe farm O ~ GZ • z ~ ~ Poe~lx ~'ocie~y~ • TM ~AC.19'16 The Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition (HFSC) was formed in 1996 in response to the tremendous need to inform the public about the life-saving value of home fire sprinkler protection. HFSC is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization and the leading resource for independent, noncommercial information about home fire sprinklers. HFSC offers educational material with details about installed home fire sprinklers, how they work, why they provide affordable protection and answers to common myths and misconceptions about their operation. Home Fire S rinkler p Protect What You Value Most" HomeFireSprinkler.org Please follow us on f ~l @HFSCorg ©zo~6 Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition, Inc. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ' _ - - xv , . _ ..r ~ .o. y - :_z_ ~ _ . ~ . ~ a _ a , r . iit ~ c _ Y k x v , . ~ ~ Ak~ e „ m~ .e : 9 . m... . _ ~ a,. ~ _w_ - i ~ s - T a t,y: i r' wn r . r.:..... t ~ e~ ' 3 ~ ~ l ~ ' ;r a A ~ c ` Y ~ y P z~a a ~ ~ W k t .L F ae o ~c For State Farm, the only insurer to partner with HFSC, sprinklers are essential tools for preventing deaths, injuries, and property oss as a result of home fires BYJEFF FEID itnessing a home fire, especially one that could have some well-constructed and safe, and others with conditions been prevented, is a devastating experience. When you that could only be described as dangerous. It became clear see the disruption and possible injury to a family, as well as to me that building codes generally describe only amini- thedestruction ofproperty and possessions, you want to do mum level of enforceable safety, rather than the best way to something to stop needless suffering and loss from recurring. achieve the highest level of safety. The Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition ~HFSC) is doing just that- After 15 years working in code inspection and enforce- empoweringfamilies and communities to live safer lives. And ment, I had the opportunity to join State Farm Insurance my company, State Farm®, is a proud supporter of their work. Companies in Bloomington, Illinois, as part of the Property I never expected to be in the insurance business. In fact, I Casualty Underwriting Loss Mitigation unit. State Farm began my career as a local code official. When I started out, I brought me on board to help advance the company's viewed my mission as ensuring the safest home and building long-standing work on safety, something that's been construction possible in my community. I was personally committed to that ideal, with my neighbors and my family JEFF FEID is loss mitigation administrator for State Farm in Blooming- inmind. Over the years, I inspected hundreds of buildings: ton, Illinois, and a board member of the Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition. 34 NFPA JOURNAL OCTOBER 2016 Photograph: Homes Urban I building, owning, protecting, insuring, and selling homes. State Farm representatives have also made presentations at NFPA Fire Sprinkler Initiative Summits, contributed to the Fire Protection Research Foundation's "Home Fire Sprinkler Cost Assessment" stud- , ~ ~ ies of 2008 and 2013, and participated in .y, ` NFPA's Life Safety Sprinkler Systems Chal- " ~ ~ ~ lenge Workshop. I serve as a member of ~t ; ~ . the Technical Committee on Residential ~ Fire Sprinklers for NPFA 13D, Installation 4 ~ ~ ° , . of Sprinkler Systems inOne- and Two-Family - ~ ~ , ~ ~ ~ . ~ ' Dwellings and Manufactured Homes, and f ~ry ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ NFPA 13R, Installation of Sprinkler Systems in ; + Low Rise Residential Oaupan~ies. In 0 , t ~ was honored to be named "Fire Sprinkler A " ; z ` , ~ 1. ~ ~ Advocate of the Year" by the American Fire ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Sprinkler Association. A11 this activity fits ' ~ ~ well with my company's mission of helping ~ ~ ~ b ~ ~ customers manage the risks of everyday life, particularly for one of their biggest mvest- menu-their homes. " State Farm's commitment to protection also extends to education and advocacy. The company provides funding for research, data, and most important, the resource of our associates, who I believe are some of the ~ ~ best in the industry. For example, the com- panyhas partnered on multiple occasions with Habitat for Humanity affiliates to have home fire sprinklers built into their homes, demonstrated over the years in many pub- often with sprinkler manufacturers and con- lic policy issues affecting both homes and tractors donating materials and time. vehicles. State Farm's commitment is dem- In Maine, State Farm's assistance with the onstrated by their hiring of experienced folks Maine State Fire Marshal's Office includes like me to help advance the level of knowl- public sprinkler demonstrations. Inthe edge and to pass that information on to our town of Caribou, par- publicofficials and the public in general. ticipants witnessed a room reach flashover in just FIRE SPRINKLERS INCREASE A HOME'S VALUE... EDUCATION & SUPPORT two-and-a-half minutes. A national poll conducted by Harris Interactive° As the only insurer to join ranks with the In dramatic contrast, a fire found that nearly two-thirds (69 percent) of U.S. Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition (HFSC},State in the same room, sprin- homeowners say having home fire sprinklers Farm has been able to apply its knowledge klered, was extinguished increases a home's value. to help the industry stay current on the latest in just over a minute. "My safety trends and resources. I've been a mem- advocacy for fire sprin- ...WHILE SAVING HOMEOWNERS MONEY ber of the HFSC board since 2004 and have klers is based on facts and Fire sprinklers can also provide homeowners with seen their great work first-hand. State Farm science," said Joseph E, a generous discount on insurance. A recent poll has sponsored sprinkler demonstrations, Thomas, the state's fire of property and casualty insurers by the Home Fire assisted HFSC booths at trade shows, and marshal. "I encourage com- Sprinkler Coalition showed that discounts as high provided funding. HFSC has done a terrific munity leaders to sit with as 35 percent are offered for homes with sprinklers. job with targeted educational information their fire chiefs and code Because discounts vary, homeowners should shop on sprinklers to stakeholders involved in officials to determine how around for the best discount. -Source: HFSC OCTOBER 2016 NFPA JOURNAL 35 community risk reduction and fire sprinkler about $2,000 for a home protected by fire strategies can, and will, make a difference for sprinklers. (For more on the 30th anniversary the protection of their communities." of the Scottsdale ordinance, see "Desert Suc- cess" onpage 60.) Most important, NFPA's LEGISLATIVELY SPEAKING... Fire Sprinkler Initiative (firesprinklerinitiative. While our company supports public policy org) indicates that loss of life is reduced by changes that enhance safety, we've found that 80 percent with fire sprinklers, not tomen- lawmakerscan often have differences of opin- tion the fact that water used to control a fire ion on home sprinklers. Some feel government is also reduced byeight-and-a-half times with shouldn't impose sprinklers or other safety an activated sprinkler. State Farm's participa- measures onindividuals, while others strongly tion with the HFSC facilitates delivery of these support making sprinklers a requirement. important messages and the need to make I am amazed and concerned that spe- this life-saving tool available in all homes. The 0 cial-interest groups in several states have dedication of HFSC members reaches beyond ~0 successfull sto ed home fires rinkler codes. business or rofessional duties, oin to the Y pp P p g g Now that residential sprinklers are a minimum heart of the families who live in these homes. requirement in the model building codes, we When considering the benefits of home need to change that attitude. Sprinkler oppo- fire sprinklers, the safety of our first respond- nentsoften seem to draw on common myths: ers can't be overlooked. Recent analysis by that sprinklers unreasonably increase the cost the Maine State Fire Marshal's Office shows of a home, raise water utility fees, create a that many fire departments are able topro- risk of flooding from burst pipes, and so on. tect exposures at fire scenes. Departments These myths can hide the true value of home are often arriving on scene to fully involved fire sprinklers. For consumers, the decision structures, with a rise in short flashover of whether or not to include fire sprinklers in times attributable to household furnishings, their homes should come down to making modern construction materials, and the fact an educated choice to protect their families, that consumers have more and more "stuff" whether sprinklers are mandated or not. in their homes. "If any difference is going to State Farm actively supports state code be made in improving this loss rate and the updates that include a sprinkler provision, and saving of lives, the installation of home fire we are working with several state fire sprinkler sprinklers is the only answer," said Joseph coalitions to champion the benefits of home Thomas, the Maine State Fire Marshal. Even sprinklers. We believe our presence and the where a sprinklered home does burn down, fact that we provide premium discounts in if all occupants and first responders emerge many states for homes with sprinklers help uninjured, it is a fire sprinkler success. refute any myths about the value of sprinklers. As a former code official who wanted to help make my hometown safer, it's been espe- WHY WESUPPORT SPRINKLERS dally rewarding to advance that same goal Simply put, fire sprinklers save lives and prop- from within a major insurance company. erty. While not designed to subdue the entire Insurers, safety organizations, and public poli- fire,they dogive occupants time to get out cymakers all need to keep working together before flashovers occur. Sprinklers result in to move these ideas ahead and promote safety fires being smaller when first responders arrive, technology for the benefit of the public. Orga- puttingthem atlower risk. Property loss is nizations like HFSC are essential to keeping more likely to be contained, saving homeown- these issues front and center. I firmly believe ers the heartache of a total loss and the difficult home fire sprinklers will be a key component process of having to rebuild their lives. in reducing fire deaths and injuries in our According to a 15-year study of a landmark homes, much like seat belts and airbags sprinkler ordinance in Scottsdale, Arizona- helped us turn the safety corner years ago in which has required sprinklers in all new the cars we drive. While the next 20 years will single-family homes since 1986-the average likely bring even more advances in safety cost of damage to a home without fire sprin- technology, we thank HFSC for the past 20 klers is approximately $45,000, versus only years of fire sprinkler advocacy. 36 »FPA 10RA1 OCTOBER 2016 ~ ~ i~. ~ r~ i ~ ~ I. I IE , ~ ` Y. " i ' ~.r t.~ T a , ~ i l : ~ u i~a - ~ro ~ = ~ ip . r ~ ~~s. P :I ~IJ: < _ ~ 1 ~ , ~ li ~ ~ ~ ~ t ~ , ~ , . , .~F : u x. . ~y w ~ ~ LY ` . , ' may` S'Ft . f ~ ~yJ~~e ~1~ ~ /S~ ~ ~ ~ y'.~,' • ~r ~ r fit' i uk 'h0.T~s xs F, a " . ' ~ l ~ e 4. F ~ 3 It } y ~ ~ , kk ~ ~ 7 j~ '~r y, ~y~ x{. h ~ ai yNr r: 3~ N~ r ~ ~ : ,w,:. ~ >a ~ SYP}~`~` fix. ` t i, s S 1 ~ ; ~ t~" err W: ~ { I ~ ~ a > 'i'+ }'4 y w~ ~ ~ ~ ~ i A A : u Il I .i { a fi~ : ~ ~ ~ . n.~.: I I ~ k,''. Utz a x.' v k: c r r ~ p. yp i~ } ~ _ ! fit,r g ~ ~ '4 y y ~ F ~:r ~ - ~ ' :.,.fir ~ f ~1n./. \ ~ d: ~ F>n~~ ~ r ~q~ 1 t { . , j y N ~ a~ 4 ~ ~ Mito flarn+~s. They ~ lie ~A~~ ~n ~ ~,.P~ ~ , . d . II o ~eu~ d the family insta M esca e ~ ut~~t~~ ~fa~r~~ w I e n' 9' p ~ ~ ~ ~of ~fl~ o ' er t. m h p ~ 4rr leis, w , i " ~ r ~w t ~ v ~ t; ter ~~i~ ~ ~ ~n the t e~^, e~ , .a k) b i ~ C,,t~ ~ ~ "rte ~ R ,I~ ~ ~ i£ ~w ; V { 5 F ' f~ ~y ~ r ~~~A3~~ ,4 ~ ~ ~ * ■ ■ F~kcES , ~~A :.y ACAMPAIGNOFNfPA"S(fIRESPt~~IKLERtIV111ATIV~~' ["~repr~nkler~n~tiative.org/Faces Photo:'~'2016BobHandelman :ry l ~ _t:: I . . Tres rin er.~or Dedicated to our v com an 's success pY b rovidin su erior . ~ Yp g p service trainin g ~P . . and su ort. pp 4 h ,.y' k ~ ~ ~ Fay ~ r` 1, y:. ' n .,Y T i j. 6 AFSA American Fire Sprinkler Associat a,, m n. 4; ~ ~ - v ~ r~~. .u ~ E ~ 0 UT ADVOCACY, LEGISLATION, AND PUBLIC EDUCATION VICE-PRESIDENT FOR OUTREACH AND ADVOCACY, NFPA _ ~ ~ i l ~ ~ ~ Why a unified message is critical in thefight against home sprinkleropponents prinkle><•s have been around for 1977, and more than four million built contained far-ranging recommenda- more than 100 years. They are since the sprinkler requirement was bons for local, state, and national of effective and affordable and have included in model building codes. forts to reduce loss of life and proper- beenincluded inall model building Imagine how many lives would be ty. From the report came the creation codes since 2009. They have been the better protected from fire if all of those of the U.S. Fire Administration, the focus of the Home Fire Sprinkler Coali- homes had been built with sprinklers. National Fire Academy, federal grant bon's education work for 20 years. Although there has been a great deal programs, and the endorsement of So why are we still not seeing thewide- of progress, it continues to be an enor- sustained efforts to prevent fires spread use of this proven technology? mows challenge to reach the masses through codes and standards, re- Perhapsthe biggest reason is the with this level of safety. That effort has search, fire prevention, and smoke clout of the homebuilding industry, the been going on since 1973, when the alarms. This was also the time that same industry that fought smoke National Commission on Fire Preven- smoke alarms were beginning to alarms and other safety devices in tion and Control delivered its final re- enter the market for homes, and we homes by saying they would thwart port to the President of the United know they have proved to be a major o housing sales and deter people from States on the country's fire problem. contributor to saving lives ever since. r buying new homes. There have been The report, "America Burning," was Included in "America Burning" was o more than 40 million single-family viewed as a seminal moment in ad- a discussion on fire sprinklers. The homes built in the United States since dressing fires in the modern era. It authors touted the benefits ofauto- OCTOBER 2016 NFPA JOURNAL 39 0 UT ADVOCACY, LEGISLATION, AND PUBLIC EDUCATION Ahard-hitting investigative series details the tactics of the homebuilders' lobby in its determined-and expensive-fight against home sprinklers F F i Mta r i~ 5 ~ g. „ ~ ~ .t . Yl~ i.. ~ _ ~y, 1 T~~ ti ~ ~ .t - ~ ~ ~a~ . ~ - , v ..c ti i r \ y+s. J~ f.` ~ ~ ~ 3 ti r - ~ ; I r ~ 'M. a` ~s. ~ m _ . • ..~s^ T w $i" f ~~i i. a, ~ ~ n i~ W: ~ )T1~- J Y~ t ?,c n3 i ~i N ~~~t he recent series o f stories pub- Then came a threat from a could cost build- lished by ProPublica onthe home place they thought was buttoned ers thousands sprinkleroppositionrnounted up: South Carolina. ~ of dollars per l~ by U.S. homebuilders o f fers a detailed, It happened hours into a mara- ' home. California un f linching look at what can happen when thou session of the obscure coup- and Maryland public sa fety meets apowerful, well- funded cil that sets state building codes, already required lobby. One o f those stories covered the Some of the 15 council members residential sprinkler f fight in South Carolina, including who had gathered atthe firefight- : sprinkler sys- homebuilder in f luencethat reached the top ers academy in the woods outside the state terns, but if South Carolina fell, other more levels o f state government. The following capital of Columbia already left for home. conservative states might follow. is an excerpt from that story, which can be Late into the night, the state's fire marshal, Nix lacked eyes with the fire marshal at read in full atpropublica.org. Adolf Zubia, somehow persuaded amajor- the council table. According to Zubia, Nix ity of those remaining to support sprinklers mouthed a warning; "You. Are. F----d" In the spring of ZO12, U.S. homebuilders by a vote of 6-3. While Nix denies saying that, Zubia were celebrating a string of victories. In Zubia hadn't really expected to prevail. instantly found himself in hot water. Before more than a dozen state capitals from Just as surprised was a spectator in the the meeting even adjourned, his phone Phoenix to Tallahassee, they had managed front row-Mark Nix, head of the state buzzed with a text. He was to report to the to block plans to require fire sprinklers in homebuilders association. The vote posed office of Governor Nikki Haley first thing in new homes. a threat to his industry, Adding sprinklers the morning. 40 NFPAJOURNAL OCTOBER 2016 Photographs: Homes Urban; inset, Getty Images i FACING OPPOSITION, continued Gently expressed support for removing matic extinguishing systems, noting the fire sprinkler requirement from the There, Zubia says he was pushed to re- that sprinklers combined with detec- next edition of the model residential sign, the second state fire marshal forced tion offered a much greater level of code, saying the fire service doesn't out by the governor after advocating for protection for lives and property. For support home sprinklers. As evidence, sprinklers. And, soon, the code council use in homes, they noted, sprinklers had he offered the fact that many in the fire ~ reversed its decision, to be cheap and aesthetically acceptable. service, as well as other public officials, Over the last eight years, U.S.home- All of that has happened. Home fire don't have sprinklers in their own builders have spent millions of dollars on sprinklers are affordable; studies have homes. That is misguided logic. It's like an extraordinary effort t0 block a safety found the average intallation cost is saying the automotive industry should improvement that the writers of the $1.35 per sprinklered square foot. In not have added seatbelts to cars be- nation'smodel building codes adamantly areas where they're required, the cost cause Henry Ford didn't have them in insist will save lives. The industry's cam- , can be even lower. They are aesthetical- his Model T. This isn t about everyone paign, conducted far from the spotlight of ly pleasing and can beflush-mounted, who supports sprinklers retrofitting Washington, shows how awell-financed lobby can shape state politics in public matching the ceiling or decor colors. their homes; it's about building safer and behind the scenes. You hardly know they're there. homes for generations to come. The battle aver- sprinklers has conse- A recent series of news stories byPro- That same fire marshal also said the quences beyond politics. While house Publica ~propublica.org), an public-in- number of residential fires has not risen fires have become less common, thanks to terest investigative journalism organize- to an unacceptable risk. Over the 40 smoke detectors and other improvements, tion, chronicled the housing industry's years that those 40 million single-fami- modernconstruction techniques can make campaign to prohibit sprinkler require- ly homes were built, there were 120,905 new homes more vulnerable to flames menu in at least 25 states-an unprece- civilian deaths and 495,610 civilian in- thanolder ones. There is no reliable dented move to bypass the code process juries in fires inone- and two-family central source of national data on house that has served the public good for de- homes. Over that period, 678 firefight- fires,but a ProPublicareview ofstate caries (see facing page). The approach ers were killed infires inone- and two- recordsfound two people who died and was simple: go directlytolegislative ac- family homes. Today, the majority of dozens who were injured in fires involving tion, in many instances, and spend fire-related civilian and firefighter homes built without sprinklers since the money to ensure sprinklers aren't al- deaths and injuries occur in home fires. beginning of Z00!~, after they became a lowed. ProPublica's reporting cited in- This is happening at a time when fires nationally recommended standard. formation from the National Institute in new homes-a result of building To date, industry groups have helped on Money in State Politics that said the materials, home design, and the fuel foil efforts to make sprinkler systems housing industryspent more than $517 load inside homes-are reaching flash- mandatory in at IE~ast ~5 states. That million in state politics over the last de- over and leading to structural collapse includes New York, where last year a code. It's hard to compete with that. faster than everbefore. It is happening two-year-old girl died in a blaze that fire While it's true that we're being out- as we learn more about the cancer toll officials said could have been stopped by spent, we should not beout-motivated. on firefighters exposed to toxins in sprinklers, and Texas, where the legisla- Thefire service, for instance, has always fires. Is this acceptable risk? No, it is not. ture's ban was retroactive, overturning at least one city's plan. New Jersey Gov. Chris been the leading champion of fire safe- Since 2009, model codes have identi- Christietwice blocked sprinkler rules ty and a consistent, respected voice for fled sprinklers as the minimum level of passed by the legislature. In Minnesota, prevention. But that voice has been less safety in new one- and two-family builders got the state's code change consistent regarding home sprinklers, homes. It is time to recommit to the reversed in court on a technicality. and at a time when aggressive advocacy notion that civilians and firefighters A close look at the fight over sprin- and education are needed most. I'm not need not die in home fires. Anafford- klers inSouth Carolina-according to sure if it's a lack of understanding about able, reliable solution exists that will government records, emails and dozens the value of home fire sprinklers, a bit have an impact for generations to ofinterviews-offers an unusually well- of fatigue in a long fight, or something come. With a unified voice we can documented portrait of how lobbyists can else. But it surfaces in places where you make home fire sprinklers as common get their way in state capitals. don't expect it. A city fire marshal re- as smoke alarms, and we can save lives. OCTOBER 2016 I~FPA JAURNAC 41 ■ ■ ■ t~ F~~~ .S.:S.Ti1 SF' F~ p'Y. . ` ' ' ai. r 5 t . u ti +ti. ~r ~ ~ ~r ~ t~ ~ ~ 1~ ~ 3 J'; 3'try '^Vtr'f x.l, r fit.; ~ 'f?', ry Y M l ,w V1, S.„ a~ ~ ~_y 1. f~, i. d 4 E~,~ ~1,, ~ ~ s ~t 1 ~ ~ ~r r 1~ ,°41 k ::~Ir A~ ~`k ~ ~ 1 ,y. F r ~ ~y ~ ~ # PP i ~ R r~ a ; ra, . t y~F~" ~ ~ a "71i t~, a `L " ~ ~l r_ F sd 4 ;»L I f i~ ~ ~ m F~ I ~ ~ 3 d i 1~, N ' ~ ~ , . '0 , A : ~ji`rs ; ~ d* x ,'.LL ew ♦ / ~ ~ ,m t r oaf ' / r ` ~ I ~ i ` ~ 1 s~ as ~ HOME SWEET SPRINKLERED HOME Michelle Allyn with her daughters Lexie Brittian (left) and Aaliyah Brittian, in their new sprinklered house in Lisbon, Connecticut. i SPECIAL ISSUE THE ALLYN-BRITTIAN FAMILY A Connecticut fami y oses its home to a fire and rebuff dswith homefiresprinkers sk Aaliyah Brittian how she likes her new house, and this is what she'll tell you: "It's better than what it was before." That's because the house she shares with her mother, Michelle Allyn, and older sister, Lexie, is protected by home fire sprinklers. The same could not be said for the family's previous house. On the evening of October 8, 2014, Mi- chelleand her daughters were settling in for the night at their home in Lisbon, Connecticut. They'd had dinner, and Michelle was getting ready to do some studying for a course she was taking when she heard an odd popping noise. "I thought it was the TV and didn't really think of it,"she says in a new "Faces of Fire"video, produced for NFPA's Fire Sprinkler Initiative (firesprinklerinitiative.org~ family). "I started seeing a bright light through my front door. I opened the door and the whole side [of the house] was illuminated, but I still couldn't see the fire. I went outside and could see the whole carport was on fire." She ran into the house and yelled to the girls that there was a fire and they had to get out. "They thought I was kidding," Michelle recalls. Even though they were skeptical, the girls grabbed a fire extinguisher from the kitchen and ran outside. ~ Lexie's voice grows soft as she remembers seeing the blazing carport. "We saw the flames, and I was like,'Oh wow-our house is on fire,"'she says. They all got out safely, and no one was hurt in the fire. The house was engulfed when firefighters arrived and was so badly damaged that it had to be de- molished.Investigators were unable to determine a cause but ruled that it was not caused by the family. ; As Michelle scrambled to find a temporary place to live, the family wrestled with the sudden upheaval the fire had brought to their lives. Even the concern of friends and neighbors added to the strangeness. "I felt like a charity case," Lexie says. "I was like, `I don't want your help, you can go now, like, goodbye.' I don't really like asking people for help , it felt like I was just like a zombie going through life." Rebuilding a safer home on the site of the previous house was a necessity for Michelle, especially after her father, a local fire chief, told her about the value of home fire sprinklers. "I never had a question [about installing sprinklers] after he explained how it works," she says. The girls, though, especially Lexie, had concerns about sprinklers be- causethey thought the sprinklers could be activated by their mother's cooking habits. "She burns everything," says Aaliyah. "Yeah... [I thought] the sprinklers would go off and all our stuff would be wet," Lexie adds. "I do burn a lot of food," Michelle admits, "but we explained to her that no, that wouldn't happen, the temperature has to reach a certain point before the [sprinklers] go off-they're not set off by smoke." ` Lexie quickly came around and is now a supporter of this life-saving technology. "It gives you a peace of mind that, like, if there is another fire, the sprin- klerswill [control] the fire and we can get out as fast as possible." "I feel a lot more comfort- ableliving inthis home," says Michelle of a benefit of home fire sprinklers. "If my kids are home alone, God forbid something happens, they would have time to get out of the house. It's just a lot more peace of mind so you don't have to be nervous all the time." OCTOBER 2016 NFPAJOURNAL 43 HOME FIRE SPRINKLERS o, ,:x .t~~,~: T ire ervice an o e Fire Sprinklers ~ ib. - ` ry By Stephanie Schorow ~ ~ti~ x. R. j' Howthe fire service learned to love ~ home fire sprinklers and why it's a key ~ ~+p ' JT 8_ partner in sprinkler efforts nationwide ~,f. - N~ 7, A*, ems. ~v J.~ tea. ast year, when the chief of the Ferndale, L~°` ' Michigan, Fire Department had every r ~ ~ vehicle re-striped for a consistent look, a message was added in large, bold letters: ~ IM "Fire Sprinklers Save Lives." The words were meant to ~ ~ - acknowledge the growing recognition that home fire _ . - . . sprinklers, like smoke detectors, could help save the ' ~ .pan - lives of occupants. "We are able to get the message out each time we ~ ~ travel down the road," said Brian Batten, the Ferndale - .~.w fire marshal and a tireless advocate for ordinances that would require the installation of sprinklers in new construction ofone- and two-family homes. But it hasn't always been this way. For decades, some _ firefighters have been ambivalent about home sprin- a klers, even if they wholeheartedly supported sprin- klers inhigh-rise residential structures and commer- ~ # c>,al buildings. Batten still remembers the common R complaint: "You're going to give away our jobs." In the ~ _~e . last 10 years, however, ambivalence has given way to advocacy as firefighters have become more informed ~.r ~~M~.,. r.~w__.._- 44 NFDA 1OURNAL OCTOBER 2016 i Home sprinklers inone- and two-family dwellings can significantly reduce the numbers of firefighter deaths and injuries. F'~ 9 'N ~.Zx ~ m ~ . 1~. y ~ ~ I~ '~i I~ ~x~ , 'p a:` _ _ r'~, ~ ~ ~ , r.r~~''~ ~ ~ ~ re fi~ L fi ( r I aNr'.. +P - ~ k. p~ `.;-via. :y v . Y. I 5 - i - : 3:, u~ , . ~ ~S. r- f, ~ a r f ~ ~ _ - - a ~ _ r__„M, ~ ~ ..-.w~__ . +....,..,y ~ _.u . ~ y i i~ I~II~ ~I II I ' l~, ~ 4 , C r ~ i ~ ~ y~~~ a y___+.+. s _ _ :-,~..m,~.a» ,......,,...,.,..,.,,~w. „ } ,..r.,,...,~«„ k. o- 5~ _ =o , .,...,--.rt ~,u r_, . a ~,w~-A-..~,..,,.. ..tee IFg T ~ ~ ~ 1. W. 1 i w ~1 , ~ an-. M ri - ~ , - I i _ _ ~ ~b ...rr,.~ -R,.,, a ~ ,~..,...,M.- r x 1 ~ +1 Photograph: AP/Wide World OCTOBER 2016 NFPt1.l0URNAl 45 HOME FIRE SPRINKLERS ~ M4 'g a, ~ ~ „ , t a ..r s ' , " > ~ ~ ~ r~_ ~'R' , s ~ _ }g r . F, r d . . 3 `may a ` L ~ ~ t a ~ r ~ . u'~ I T : . , T , A Yr e M ~ ' . . ' s 'r 3 ~V . ~ 1 . / 1 1 l i ~ till ~ ~ - r about how home sprinklers are service has historically been divided by the non-profit Home Fire Sprinkler installed and operate and how they into two camps; fire prevention and Coalition (HFSC), firefighters are being uniquely protect responders to fires. fire suppression," said Rick Ennis, of educated on the key facts about home Today, thousands of fire departments the Cape Girardeau, Missouri, Fire sprinklers and how they prevent injury across the United States and Canada Department, who has worked 35 and loss of life, mitigate property are actively working to promote the years in the fire service, the last 12 damage, and protect firefighters at the need for home fire sprinklers. as chief. "Fire prevention has taken a scene of fires that will inevitably occur. Such acceptance has required a back seat-that's the way the country Many in the fire service, such as cultural shift in the firehouse. "The fire evolved. Home fire sprinklers are not Keith Flood, the fire marshal for yet embedded West Haven, Connecticut, are work- infirefighters' ing with local NFPA Fire Sprinkler minds." Initiative coalitions, as well as water ' % That's begin- purveyors, city government officials, ning to change, and even homebuilders, to sponsor . Ennis said. With conferences, host side-by-side burn new outreach demonstrations, and initiate other : efforts, spurred grassroots educational programs [see : in part by free "High Hopes," page 48] to promote tools and mate- the benefits of home fire sprinklers. rials developed Flood, chair of the Connecticut Fire 46 NFPA JOURNAL OCTOBER 2016 Photograph: AP/Wide World i FEATURE Sprinkler Coalition, has organized sprinkler summits and has pushed "Now most people who the Connecticut legislature to consider codes that would require sprin- die in fires in this country are klers in new construction ofone- and two-family homes. dying in home fires-one "I think everybody should get involved," he said. "People are dying or two or three or five every in homes that are unsprinklered, and there's no need for that." day," Ennis said. "If a single fire kills 25 to 40 people, we EDUCATING THE FIREFIGHTERS notice it. But when death tolls Much of the impetus for home fire sprinklers has come from the HFSC, are smaller and spread out, anon-profit educational organization launched in 1996 to inform the that goes under the radar." public about the value of home fire sprinkler protection. HFSC has What is even more disturb- become aleading resource for independent, noncommercial informa- ing is that the risk of death tion about home fire sprinklers in the United States and Canada. in a home fire has changed In 2008, the HFSC launched the Built for Life Fire Department little over nearly four decades. program (BFLFD) to increase local fire service sprinkler education. According to NFPA figures, BFLFD encourages and supports fire departments with free educa- the death rate per 1,000 tional outreach material, regular e-mail blasts and newsletters on the % home fires was 8.1 in 1977, latest developments, and valuable resources, such asgrant-funded compared to 7.5 in 2013. stipends for local sprinkler outreach. Today, about 2,700 departments The fuel load in today's in the U.S. and Canada are designated as Built For Life departments. homes may be a factor. Fed Peg Paul, HFSC's marketing manager, said the frequent, thoughtful by petroleum-based plastics responses from BFLFD departments has helped guide the coalition in in furniture and accessories, continuing improvement of targeted materials that help them reach contents fires are burning and educate local audiences. "Getting feedback from this group has quicker, resulting in rooms been vital to ou~° success in working with the fire service," Paul said. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • reaching flashover much A number of factors are turning fire service educators into home faster than in the past-from fire sprinkler advocates. One is concern over the nature of today's % nearly 20 minutes a few home fires. Statistically, room and contents fires inone- and two- decades ago to just a few family homes pose a greater threat to life than fires in large apartment minutes or less today. That complexes or commercial buildings, many of which are required to means occupants have much be sprinklered..Although the total number of fires reported by local less time to get themselves municipal fire departments has decreased by 29 percent in the last 15 out of a home safely. years, 78 percent of all fire deaths occurred in the home, according to Additionally, the demand 2015 figures collected by NFPA. Additionally, 71 percent of all civilian for larger houses and the fire injuries and nearly half of the total direct property damage in 2015 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • popularity of open space were from home structure fires. in the designs-such as combined kitchen, dining ■ and~or living rooms-means : smoke, heat, and fire move ~ ` ~ much more quickly through v y; , ` ~ ~ ~ homes, Ennis said. "In your ~ grandmother's house, the `S9~ ~ v rooms were 10 feet by 10 ~ , - ~ ~ ~ ~ feet," he said, a floorplan that ~ ~ ~ slowed a fire's spread. . ■ Modern construction : , ~ materials also have increased - ~ . ~ fire dangers because today's ~ ~ ` lightweight wood construc- UL testing found that unprotected lightweight construction assemblies failed much tion products (such aswood- fasterthan traditional assemblies when exposed to fire. Here, mannequins simulate truss roofing and I-joists) the weight of two firefighters in protective gear. In this test, the floor is collapsing. burn faster if they are not Photograph: UL OCTOBER 2016 NFPA JOURNAL 47 HOME FIRE SPRINKLERS protected. Contemporary homes also said. However, newer materials don't All of these factors contribute utilize quickly grown wood, which hold up as well against fire, and when to increased risk to firefighters. In is less fire resistant than the older a house collapses, it collapses more 2015, three firefighters were killed at wood used in homes built from the dramatically, he said. One test, on single-family dwellings when they 1920s to the 1950s. That does not the performance of unprotected fell into the basement when floors mean that homes today are poorly floor assemblies exposed to fire, collapsed. Another firefighter was built; today's building materials tend found such structures are prone to crushed under a collapsing porch roof to be stronger and protect better catastrophic collapse in as little as six as he was trying to exit a home. NFPA again mildew and weather, Batten minutes from the onset of fire. estimates that home fire sprinklers } ~ One such grant went to the fire department in Ferndale, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit, which has formed a successful partnership with the ~r~, Detroit Carpentry Apprenticeship Academy. Under the direction of Fire ~ Marshal Brian Batten, students built two units to be used for educational k side-by-side burn demonstrations for the public. Every three months, 20 ~ x to 30 students watch a video about home fire sprinklers, receive printed ' ~ ~ - materials about home fire sprinklers, and witness a live side-by-side burn, *p V ~ ~ where fires are started in a room equipped with sprinklers and in one ~ ~ without sprinklers, The vivid demonstration-including the rapid growth ' ~ 4 ~t' ; of the fire, the impact of flashover, and the destruction of the room and : f ~ ~ ' = its contents-underscores the clear benefits of installing sprinklers in ~ 5 ~ ~ ° ` homes, Batten said. "They have been amazed-just flabbergasted," Bat- ~x u 46q ~ ~ ~ ~ ten said of students' reactions. Hamilton was extremely impressed with ~ ,F~~.. a` RFC; _ ~ such a demonstration in the Nampa program. "That was really, really ~ cool," he said, "We can see what our work has the ability to do." "The idea is to change attitudes early in their careers." Edwards said he ` . launched the Nampa program to counter the fierce anti-home sprinkler atti- " ~ ~x tulle exhibited by builders. "For some reason home fire sprinklers just touch a nerve," he said, "We have always run into this culture-otherwise well-edu- HIGHHOPES toted adults in the building community who are so opposed to sprinklers," He knew that students built Habitat for Humanity homes through the How the fire service is working with future homebuilders Nampa Construction Technology Program, a high school vocational educa- toencourage home sprinkler installation tion program. Helped by an HFSC grant, Edwards worked with partners to incorporate home sprinkler education as part of the curriculum, The Today's homebuilders may be implacable foes of mandatory home fire program is preparing to start building its sixth home this fall. sprinkler requirements, but Reggie Edwards, deputy fire marshal of the Edwards teaches a section in the classroom and another with hands-on Nampa, Idaho, Fire Department, has high hopes for the next generation of construction at the home site. Certified sprinkler pipefitters assist with the construction professionals. installation of a home sprinkler system and local fire sprinkler vendors have Edwards, a staunch advocate for home fire sprinklers, has helped insti- donated the design, parts, and piping for the home, A public side-by-side tute a unit in a local high school vocational educational program to teach burn demonstration tops off the curriculum, future homebuilders how to install home sprinklers and how they can im- A graduate of the Nampa program and now a sprinkler advocate is prove life safety. Working with Habitat for Humanity, Nampa students have Edwards's son, Ryan, who acknowledges he has grown up in a family built five homes, all of which have included sprinklers, in the last five years, committed to fire safety. But Ryan was particularly struck by the need for "We're doing what we can to change the hearts and minds of the future sprinklers during construction of a Habitat for Humanity house for a man Building Contractors Association members," said Edwards, a 38-year confined to a wheelchair, If the man didn't have the extra time to get out veteran of the fire service, "We teach them the facts. Then they can make in the case of fire, "he'd be dead," the younger Edwards said, "It was really informed decisions," cool to put lifesaving measures in the house," The program made an impact on 18-year-old Michael Hamilton of If he were to build his own house, "I would put in fire sprinklers, that's Nampa, a recent high school graduate who plans to go on to a career in my top priority," Ryan said. construction, "I would love to see home sprinklers become more common;' Builder Brett Miller, a construction technician with the Nampa program, he said. "I can't say they should be always required but I think that sprinkler said the impact on the student builders is significant, Miller believes that installation should be enforced in specific conditions. The numbers prove ultimately other builders will, like him, come to accept the need for home that these work" fire sprinklers in new construction. "I think it's a matter of time," he said, Nampa is one of a number of programs around the country where fire His former student Michael Hamilton agrees. "I think contractors departments are partnering with educational institutions to train students should stop looking into their wallets but who their work is going to," about the installation and use of home fire sprinklers. Many have been Hamilton said. "To put myself in that scenario, depending on the house launched with grants from the Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition (HFSC) or hundreds of local variables, I would be putting in sprinklers in as many through its Built for Life Fire Department program. houses as Icould," -S.S. 48 NFPA JOtDNA! OCTOBER 2016 Photograph: Thinkstock i FEATURE are responsible for an estimated 65 California, became the first commu- cost of adding home fire sprinklers to percent reduction in firefighter fire- nity in the nation to require sprinklers that of choosing granite countertops ground injuries. Indeed, when arriving in homes. In January 2011, California for a kitchen. Peg Paul of the HFSC at a fire in a commercial building or became the first U.S. state to mandate notes that those costs can also be offset warehouse, the first question asked by the installation of sprinklers in all new by savings, as sprinklers can decrease firefighters is, "Does the structure have one- and two- the cost of homeown- asprinkler system?"That, said Ennis, family dwell- ~ n ers insurance by 5 kes a hu e difference m res onse in s. Mar land Fire prevent o percent to 15 percent ma g p g Y tactics. passed a similar has taken a back depending on the Likewise, borne sprinklers are sprinkler require- insurer. extremely effective inextinguishing ment. Manylocal Seat-that's the Additionally, fire fires in an early stage, Batten said. municipalities Wa the eountr departments are ready Re airin the lama e to a house around the coun- J Y to grant zoning or p g g where a sprinklersystem has activated try now mandate evolved. Home codevariances,such will be far less expensive than repairing the installation of as narrower streets or the lama e from a fire and from the sprinklers in new fire sprinklers are denser construction, g water used by firefighters to extinguish one- and two- not et embedded if builders agree to the blaze he said. famil homes. ~ install sprinklers in Y "We said over in firefighters' new developments. ESSENTIAL TOOLS and over that the in S Scottsdale, Arizona, ' wh Batten Ennis and man whole intent of m d which has had a That s y y others in the fire service advocate for the adoption of sprinkler ordinance requiring home fire sprinklers in the the code was life in place since 1986, construction of all new one- and two- safety," Tonya allows for reduced family homes, including the adoption Hoover, the fire hydrant spacing of NFPA 13D, Installation of Sprinkler former California State Fire Marshal, requirements because of the presence Systems inOne- and Two-Family Dwellings told NFPA Journal in 2014. "It had of home fire sprinklers. and Manufactured Homes. The intention nothing to do with property protec- "There's a realization that we have of NFPA 13D is to provide home occu- tion-this was alife-safety initiative to partner with the homebuilders and pants with a 10-minute escape time. "I wholeheartedly." water purveyors and other stakehold- thinksince it isthe built environment Fierce opposition bydevelop- ers who are interested in the building that created the problem, it should be ers and the National Association of and sale of new homes," said Ennis. the built environment that addresses Home Builders, which contend that Most important, he said, "we have the problem," ~;nnis said. According increased cost of construction from to find a way to bring down the cost to NFPA statistics, sprinklers reduce mandated sprinklers will discour- of sprinkler systems for the building civilian fire deaths by 80 percent, while age home buying, has limited more industry and consumers." reducing civilian fire injury medical widespread passage of codes based on Travers compared builders' oppo- costs by 53 percent. NFPA 13D. But NFPA research shows sition to home fire sprinklers to In 1979, the city of San Clemente, that a sprinkler system adds an average opposition decades ago to smoke of $1.35 per sprinklered alarms-life-safety devices that are square foot to the cost of now routinely used in homes as well as construction-hardly an apartments and commercial proper- . insurmountable barrier, ties. Someday, many in the fire service • Tim Travers, a regional hope, home fire sprinklers will be minutes minutes sprinkler specialist with embraced as completely as smoke • NFPA, estimated the cost alarms have been: as essential tools • of a home sprinkler system to protect people against the threat of ~ to be somewhere between home fires. • 1 and 1.5 percent of the total cost of a house. Some Stephanie Schorow is a writer based firefighters compare the in Boston. OCTOBER 2016 NFPA JOURNAL 49 SPRINKLER ~ u Y~' , ~ ~ ~a~ ~.i _ ~ r ~ :li:~: I ~ I. i 1N1 n , * ~ ° ~ v . ~ ~ \ ~ ,j _ - . a, a 1~ ~ .^F ~ SAC,) y~ ~ ~ ~M.. _ F ~1 ~ ~}EI ~ ~ L 1 c. ~ - 7 i vcr i i~ E 4 V r.. yy~~~c- 4 r ~ ~~r y EG x _ - ar E ,4 y= q: , z ~ u: ~ # ~ _ ~ a, y ` Y ~ ~ ~ ' `F a` ^~E - pant' yF ~ ~ _ i ~ } n cif Fh ~ 'r ~y . . , m ~i ~ ~ 3 ~ ~ . ; - ' ~~i, .mot' 7 ay ~ i ~ 2 ' . c ~ e 1. n r 50 ~ JOURNAL OCTOBER 2016 Photograph: Jon Chomitz SPECIAL ISSUE ROB FEENEY A Station nightclub fire survivor joins the home sprink er fight n February 20, 2003, Rob Feeney and his fiancee, Donna Mitchell, were among the scores of people packed into The Station nightclub in West Warwick, Rhode Island. Onstage pyrotech- nits started a devastating fire that killed 100 people, including Mitchell, and injured many more, Feeney among them. He recently wrote a series of blog posts for NFPA's Fire Sprinkler Initiative (firesprinklerinitiative.org) that detailed his recovery, his struggles, and the purpose he found as a burn survivor, ' including his work in support of home fire sprinklers. Feeney recently became a call firefighter with the Onset Fire Department in Massachusetts and advocates for fire sprinklers and fire safety issues nationwide for Common ~ ~ Voices, an advocacy initiative of the National Fire Sprinkler Association (fireadvocates.org), and the Phoenix F;$ Society for Burn Survivors (phoenix-society.org). The following is an excerpt from Feeney's FSIposts. t. ~'g. .,i. Following The Station fire, I had very few plans except to see Donna's two daughters through high school. After that, I really didn't care what happened to me. In 2006, I was introduced to the Phoenix Socitey for Burn Survivors. It's the largest national peer support organization for burn survivors, their families, healthcare professionals, and fire service and industry personnel. In 2008, I attended its annual conference, the World Burn Congress, in Cleveland, Ohio. I was extremely overwhelmed and didn't talk to many people the first couple of days. However, I lis- ~ tened to keynote speakers who had battled through adversity and beat the odds to live lives of ~ happiness. ~ That year I also met Amy Acton, the Phoenix Society's executive director. At the fol- ;a lowing year's World Burn, she remembered me. She asked if I would be available for local media interviews. She also invited me to attend a special training by media guru Brad Phillips to deve op my advocacy skills. Amy then asked me to join her at a live burn~sprinkler demonstration and then on a local TV show to discuss the Phoenix Society and fire sprinklers. I was enjoying what little [advocacy] I was doing, even though I didn't know where it was leading. ` In 2010, I [went] to Tennessee to testify in front of the Chattanooga City Council to get a bylaw passed requiring fire sprinklers in the city's nightclubs I was given three minutes to speak. I told them that three minutes was all it took to ki1196 of the 100 people in [The Station] fire. The bylaw passed by one vote. 'The councilman who cast the deciding vote met me in the hallway to thank me for my # ~ ~ testimony and let me know that I had changed his vote. Following the hearing, the mayor ofChat- tanooga invited us to his office and thanked me for helping him protect the people in his city. I realized what Amy Acton had in mind for me. I was using my voice and my story for a greater cause. I was a fire sprinkler advocate. Reliving my story was not only helping me emotionally, but was also helping enact changes in fire safety In 2013, I was honored to be the second recipient of the Phoenix Society's Advocacy Award at the World Burn Congress in Providence, Rhode Island. ~ Being an advocate changed how I lived my life. It created a confidence I had been missing. I was -.;:~5 able to find love again, get married, start a family, and, to the surprise of many people, enter the ~ ~ fire service. ' I am one voice with one story trying to speak for Donna and the others who lost ~.x ; ~ their lives in The Station fire. Raising awareness and advocating for new sprinkler laws has largely F _ been an uphill battle. Sometimes it seems like an unnecessary battle, since we're talking about _ common sense. We've made definite footprints in the sand on the fire sprinkler issue, but (they] can be washed away over time if they're not walked over again and again. So we walk again. We ~ keep going until our footprints are no longer in the sand, but are inconcrete-to stay for good. OCTOBER 2016 N~PA30RNAL 51 HOME FIRE SPRINKLERS ui ersn o e Fire prmklers , ■ ' _..a,. ; y For homebuilders, sprinklers offer glow-cost, appealing ~ ~ ~ ~a~~q: ° ::w~ _ feature for buyers-and an array of trade-ups that make ~ ~ smart business sense o learn about the benefits of a fire. I hope it never happens, but I'm installing sprinklers in new waiting for the day when I get a call from single-family homes, just a homeowner who tells me that their ~ ~ ask a homebuilder. sprinklers activated and saved some- SamDavis, ahomebuilder inFlorida, one's life. Home fire sprinklers are well is a strong believer in the value of worth the investment." sprinklers. Over the years, he's installed One of the most persistent myths sprinklers in dozens of homes and takes about home fire sprinklers relates every opportunity to educate his clients to cost. While sprinkler ordinances about how sprinklers can protect their have been adopted by several hundred families from fire. communities across the United States, "Fire sprinklers do save property, but and even though sprinklers are required their main function is to save lives," in all new homes in California, Mary- hesays. "Homeowners can spend a land, and the District of Columbia, the fortune on appliances, cabinets, and price tag associated with installation granite countertops, but those things do remains a point of uncertainty and a nothing to protect their families against potential barrier to broader adoption. 52 iPA 1(3URNA1 OCTOBER 2016 i W~}{£.. L~ a v ~ . t..~ i i x , --.,-.n.. ~ _ . k e_.. w ; . i ~ ~ nu ~ e ~r 1 ` a'P .rte 1 f r ,n i r" gym; a i ` 4 _ t ~T+*' 4, r ~ , yy R ~y y . a ~ ~ ~Y ~ A ~ r ' 1 nn ~ ~ t t~ 1 'A ~ 7 ' ➢ ~ 1 ~ ~ w.. 9.. ~..^mc_ :rre~ar~v.T ~-e.__..~~.. .u.da~l+. a.-M-.:o-~.,.;,.~W~r'. w~..x tr.,«.,~~~~~3..e4~.w.- r wpp,. _ +~eAw.pawi..wa,wr m < - L { n ~ ~ 4 e , y w d , v, ~ = ~ ~ ~ +e .are a »~.r , . ~ a m ~ a ~ , • c^ ~ i~ . , i nMa_ ' .fin ~ ~-~:~5.?' i gam,,,, + .r , a , c - :.y~ t A k ~ a M ~ ~ 5 ~9 'Y a ~ ~ fl •~~••y ` II ~ ♦ a t 'N r. t R ~ _ ~ Photograph'. Thinkstock OCTOBER 2016 ►dP UU 53 HOME FIRE SPRINKLERS In reality, the cost of installing additional. equipment, and water water supply, fees, home type ~eustom sprinklers in new construction is meter fees. vs. tract, and foundation type. minimal-and dropping. "The cast The cast of sprinklers is actually While the cast of installing sprin- to hamebuilders, indollars per down from $1.61 per sprinklered klers can be affected by local ordi- sprinkleredsquare foot, averages square foot in 2008, according to a nances and amendments to national about $1.35," says Lorraine Carli, vice recent studythat looked at installation codes, such as adding requirements president of outreach and advocacy scenarios in 51 homes in 17 comma- for sprinklers in garages or attics, for NFPA and president of the Home nines across North America. The the report found significantly lower Fire Sprinkler Coalition. That figure report considered a variety of factors costs in the two states that require includes all associated costs, includ- that can affect cost, including local sprinklers. In fact, in some parts of ing design, installation, permits, code requirements, piping material, "I hope it never happens, but I'm ~ ~ waitin far the da ~ Y °'''Q when 1 et a call owner f ram a home who tells me that theirs rinklers ~ _ ~ ~ - activated and saved i ~ ~ ~ } someone's life." 4 ~ . SC M Jt"t ~ ~r - Q p... _ r - _ California, the cost is less than $1 per ~ ~ sprinklered square foot. n. Sprinkler instal atian requirements ' - - are also proven to have na measur- ~ ~-x., ~ able impact on the pace of housing ~ _ - construction or home prices relative ® ~ to comparable nearby communities ~ without sprinklers ordinances. ~z ~ - Another reason that sprinklers have E - become so affordable is the low cost of - - plastic piping. Special glue secures the pipe connections, reducing the problems y- ~ ~ of sweating copper joints or threading steel pipe. Most home sprinklers operate off the household water main and use plastic piping installed behind walls and ~ ceilings in finished areas. i~~~~r~~tir~~ ~ _ ~ TRADE-UP OPTIONS Builders can also take advantage of For new construction, home fire sprinkler protection is easy to design and install and on the many trade-ups associated with average costs builders $1.35 per sprinklered square foot. installing sprinklers. Trade-ups can 54 ~A ~oP6t OCTOBER 2416 Phatograph~ AP/Wide World i FEATURE reduce land development costs for developers, reduce construction of their homeowner's insur- costsfor builders, and reduce the cost of increased life and property ante policy. protection for home buyers. Another option to explore The best time to take advantage of the trade-up concept for subdi- is building code alternatives, vision development savings is prior to submitting subdivision plans. which might include a reduc- Whenproper subdivision and development options are provided, tion in fire-rated portioning development costs can be reduced. The cost of developing raw land requirements between the into an approved building site can be significantly reduced through minutes living spaces of the home trade-ups. These options are only applicable if all the buildings in and other spaces, such as an the development will have built-in automatic fire protection. attached garage. Communities across the Potential common trade-up options associated with home country are offering incen- sprinklersinclude the following: fives for homes protected Street width reduction, which can substantially reduce the , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , with fire sprinklers. New amount of pavement in every linear foot of street in the Jersey has a law that elimi- development nates the standby fees for Longer dead-end streets, which allow additional building lots to stand-alone fire service water be accessed minutes lines of two inches or less. Tee turnarounds, which can create at least one additional lot per Altamonte Springs, Florida, cul-de-sac allows a 40 percent credit Increased street grades and building setbacks against the water connection Additional units; increases up to 20 percent are not uncommon charge for residences with Water supply reduction: Fire flows for fu11ysprinklered level- sprinklers, and Scottsdale, opments can be greatly reduced compared tonon-sprinklered Arizona, and other communi- developments ties allow reduced fire hydrant Increased hydrant spacing and reduced supply mains spacing requirements. In addition to their life- Over time, communities with fully sprinklered developments , , , , , , , , , , , , , , safety and property-protec- shouldsee adecrease infire death rates and property loss. In the tion benefits, fire sprinklers event of a fire, sprinklers often extinguish the flames before the ~ reduce local infrastructure local fire department arrives on the scene. According to the Home costs and provide environ Fire Sprinkler Coalition, the average fire loss in a home with sprin- ~ mental benefits. Research klers is $2,166 vs. $45,019 in a home without sprinklers. Customers confirms that sprinklers play may also qualify for a tax rebate and a discount on the fire portion a significant role in reducing water use and greenhouse gas emissions during house fires. A 2010 study conducted by FM Global and the Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition ~ ; investigated the environmen- , ~ % tal impact of burning two identical structures, one with sprinklers and one without. Researchers quantified air and ~w water pollutants as well as water released from sprin- klersand firefighter hoses. ~ . The study concluded that a sprinklered home can reduce s- water usage to fight a fire n Bullish on home fire sprinklers: Florida home builder Sam Davis. by upward of 90 percent. In OCTOBER 2016 NFPA 30AAL SS HOME FIRE SPRINKLERS addition, greenhouse gases released THE NEW FIRE THREAT a composite joist orbeam. Engineered from burning buildings are reduced Homebuilders also need tounder- lumber is a member of the "lightweight by 98 percent and fire damage stand the fire hazard associated with construction" family of products, which reduced by 97 percent when sprin- modern building materials and home have been thoroughly examined in klers are present. design. When compared to their recent years to address the question The pervasive notion that home older counterparts, today's popular of how homes using this increasingly fire sprinklers are water wasters that homebuilding materials offer a more popular building material react to fire. deluge homes is pure myth. Leaks economical and environmentally In 2008, Underwriters Laboratories and accidental activations are rare. friendly way of crafting new dwell- (UL) conducted a study comparing During most home fires, only one ings. A potentially lesser-known fact traditional wood materials found sprinkler-the one closest to the is the dramatic way these products in older homes with lightweight fire-activates. When compared with respond to fire. construction. The UL report "Struc- thewater used from sprinklers to Consider engineered lumber, a tural Stability of Engineered Lumber control a home fire, firefighters typi- structural member made of wood in Fire Conditions" indicated that the cally use 10 times more water during fibers and materials bonded with adhe- unprotected lightweight construc- theirsuppression efforts. sive or other methods, which is used as tion assembly collapsed in six minutes 10 THINGS BUILDERS NEED TO KNOW about home fire sprinklers The 2015 International Residential installation is required only in living are fitted along the piping according 7. Maintenance Code (IRC) is the third edition of the areas. The standard requires at least to a unique hydraulic design for the NFPA 13D recommends little code that requires the installation 10 minutes of sprinkler water flow structure. maintenance. Homeowners should of fire sprinklers in all new one- on the fire. periodically test the pump (if pres- andtwo-family homes. California, 4. Types of Sprinklers ent) and visually verify that all valves Maryland, and the District of 2. Water Supply Home fire sprinklers are small and are open and the storage tank is full Columbia, as well as hundreds of Home fire sprinklers are commonly inconspicuous. There are recessed (if present). The water flow device other jurisdictions across the United supplied via the household water and pendent designs. Concealed and monitoring service (if present) States, have adopted the IRC sprin- main. If water pressure is low, a tank sprinklers are also available, and should also be tested periodically. kler requirements. Whether or not supplies water to the sprinklers. Both many manufacturers offer custom Year-round, the homeowner should their state or community currently water supply methods achieve the colors, look at sprinklers and visible pipes requires sprinklers, here's what water flow requirement of NFPA 13D, to make sure nothing is blocking or builders need to know about this 5.Heat-Activation hanging from them. life-saving technology. 3. Installation All home fire sprinklers operate in Sprinkler piping is installed behind response to the high temperature 8. Cost 1. Residential Requirements the walls and ceiling, just like of a fire, usually 135°F to 165°F. A national study shows that the cost Installation is governed by NFPA plumbing. Modern sprinkler piping Smoke or a smoke alarm signal of installing home fire sprinklers to 13D, Installation of Sprinkler Systems can bemade of chloro-polyvinyl cannot operate a fire sprinkler. Each the builder is $1.35 per sprinklered in One- and Two-Family Dwellings and chloride (CPVC) orcross-linked sprinkler reacts to nearby high heat square foot for new construction. Manufactured Homes. Fire sprinklers polyethylene (PEX), both cost- individually, Unlike movie special are designed for life safety, meaning effective, lightweight materials. In effects, fire sprinklers do not flow 9. Incentives unfinished water simultaneously unless mul- Many municipalities offer home- basements tiple sprinklers are exposed to their builders incentives to install ; and multi- activation temperature. sprinklers, such as allowing more ~ purpose sys- residential units, longer dead ends t' ~ ~ terns, where 6. How S rmklers Work and reduced street width, tee turn- . lx~,,,.~i p ~'M1~~ the same In the event of a fire, the sprin- arounds, increased hydrant spacing, ~ pipe is used kler nearest the fire will operate and many other benefits that save y', , for domestic automatically while the fire is still money and increase builder profits. ~ ~ : water sup- small, controlling or extinguishing ~ ~ : ply and fire it, often before the fire department 10. Working with Contractors ~ sprinklers, arrives. That fast response limits the The Home Fire Sprinkler Coali- copper pipe spread of flames, heat, and poison- tion recommends selecting an is often ous smoke. In 90 percent of home experienced residential contractor used, Fire fires, just one sprinkler is needed to knowledgeable and trained in NFPA sprinklers control the fire. 13D systems. 56 NFPA JotlRNAL OCTOBER 2016 Photographs: Thinkstock r 9 `~~,i C~: . ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ z 9 4 'dy, a s, P~~ r i ' ~ 1 ~ P ~ ,S ~ 1 ~ ~ r ir' ~ i% ~ ~1 i e _ Y a r ~ , u. 4ry r ( I 3 versus the nearly 19 minutes it took more streamlined, efficient, and fire sprinklers. In 2012, NRC issued for the unprotected "legacy" materials lightweight," says Robert Solomon, another report, "Fire Performance of to collapse. Adding a half inch-thick division manager for building fire Protected Floor~Ceiling Assemblies generic gypsum board covering to the protection at NFPA. "The unintended and Impact on Tenability," which eval- legacymaterials lengthened its time consequence is that these new tech- uated how home fire sprinklers Impact to collapse to 44 minutes; the same niques and materials bring new fire fire spread. In all tests, sprinklers kept protection applied to the lightweight safety challenges." conditions tenable and helped prevent assembly improved its time to collapse Construction materials aren't the the structural failure and collapse to 27 minutes. only things in homes that are burning witnessed during its previous study. The National Research Council quicker than their older counterparts. Since home fire sprinklers can douse Canada (NRC) also examined how Modern furnishings in many house- a fire or control it until the fire depart- fireimpacts unprotected floor assem- holds are constructed with synthetic ment arrives, all U.S. model building bles. In its research, NRC concluded materials-upholstery made with codes have required sprinkler instal- thatlightweight assemblies reached combustible polyurethane foam, for lation in new one- and two-family structural failure 35 to 60 percent example-that burns quicker than homes. Mounting research confirms faster than solid wood assemblies. A legacy furnishings made of leather, that sprinklers save property, protect 2012 report from the Fire Protection wool, and cotton. UL studies have lives, and benefit the environment. Research Foundation also underscored confirmed that rooms filled with "Fire sprinklers are doable inone- thedanger ofunprotected engineered synthetic furniture that are set on and two-family dwellings," says Tim lumber during a fire, labeling its rapid fire reach dangerous temperatures Travers, a regional sprinkler specialist structural failure under fire conditions quicker than similar rooms filled with for NFPA. "They do not delay construc- a "high" level of concern. legacy furnishings. tion, they are not high cost, they can "Like most things in the modern era, A proven method for reduc- be done easily and simply-and they construction materials are becoming ing fire's impact at home is home save lives." OCTOBER 2016 NFPA 1Ot~RAI S7 SPRINKLER ~ r_ _ _ . , .&_z _ 3 ttiu w~ a", a y~ iilYF`tf' ~ ~ 'i~1ti~F " r q4 §1~~a. o ~ t ss~~"' y` * „ _.a it ti~ % ~ , ~ar ¢ ty, s 4 E, ~ - ~ { ➢ ` . V~ ~ ~ ro - jy ~ t1 i , ~ F` ~~z~ ~ h" ~ ~ i li 4~. ~ kk,. F: J s4, i t • " 1 ~E .1.." ~ r^ ~ a. ~ ~ ~ ~r' ~ w ° a 58 BRA J~tlRNAL OCTOBER 2016 Photograph, Matthew Gilson i SPECIAL ISSUE r TOM LIA ~ Sprinkering inois,onecommunityatatime end an email to Tom Lia, and chances are you'll get an automatic reply that he's out as- sisting with one of the home fire sprinkler demonstrations that take place regularly in Illinois. Orgiving ashow-and-tell on sprinklers to the public inside a nearly completed home. or speaking at a national conference on sprinkler advocacy while promoting the Fire Sprinkler Initiative. Despite the auto-reply, he's still able to get back to you almost immedi- ately. As one of the most respected sprinkler advocates in the country, Lia, 62, possesses an instinctive power to ignite action in his state:104 communities and fire districts in Illinois have adopted NFPA 13D, Installation of Sprinkler Systems inOne- and Two-Family Dwellings and Manufactured Homes, Adhering to aone-community-at-a-time approach to sprinkler adoption-California had a similar approach before sprinkler requirements went statewide in 2011-Lia is quick to de- fleaany credit he might receive for these accomplishments. "It's due to the dedication and mo- ovation of the fire and building officials who believe in the sprinkler concept," says Ilia, executive director of the Northern Illinois Fire Sprinkler Advisory Board (NIFSAB), a nonprofit promoting ~ legislation, raising public awareness, and educating code officials and government policymakers on home fire sprinklers. (He's also a regular contributor to NFPA's Fire Sprinkler Initiative blog, sprinklerblog.nfpa.org,) "We're just giving them the tools to support their efforts." ~ These edu- ` cational tools, however, are the likely catalyst for Illinois' adoption efforts. As part of the Illinois +3 Fire Sprinkler Coalition, NIFSAB has assisted with nearly 600 side-by-side burn demonstrations. These highly effective outdoor events utilize wooden structures-one equipped with sprinklers, one without-filled with household furnishings that are set aflame. "Viewers see, feel, and hear the demonstration," says Lia, who is usually on hand to narrate the fire spread and sprinkler activation, °All sprinkler myths are dispelled. When the fire goes to flashover, we explain that nobody-not even a firefighter with protective gear-survives." ~ Lia joined the fire service in 1977 and became fire marshal of the Orland Fire Protection District in 1992. Those experiences showed him fire's devastation firsthand. The sprinkler seed was planted as he conducted building inspections and questioned why some structures were sprinklered and others weren't. "We're able to protect people where they work and shop, but we're not able to protect them where they live?"asks Lia. "That really started to bother me." ` In 1999 Lia joined NIFSAB, where he felt he could better cultivate his newfound passion. Amid the successes have come challenges. Today, NIFSAB's emphasis is as much about preserving ordinances on the books as it is about bringing sprinklers to new communities. "Even during the economic recession, we probably passed 20 to 25 sprinkler ordinances," says Lia. "But in recent years, sprinkler opponents have made a real aggressive push in our state. It does get discouraging. We did lose two ordinances during that time." Sharing the sprinkler mission helps him stay positive, he says. "I love it when there's an energetic fire chief or building official who gives us a call and wants to help-we're here for them," Lia says. "We were at a point a few years ago where the resources just weren't there any- more. Then NFPA came along and announced the Fire Sprinkler Initiative. When NFPA decided to make sprinklers a major initiative, I knew this effort would be won in the long run." OCTOBER 2016 F~Q~. 59 x Y4,~ ~ C~. i - w ~ , i =r~ , c ;o ..';;'.u-.~u~.u ~ 4~ r 1 :t LL • . ~ 4 y' tl . + 1~ a~. s . r~ ;r a u . 1. ~ .ft 1 ~ 3' i. i r • . ~ a ~ - ~ _ ~ ,a d' Ei <2"~ . - - " r w,.,,•. _ r . , ,w - • . - ~ - ~ , F ~ ~ - e ~ ~ ~ , ~ c - ' t~' 3~ ~,we.: ~~,tSw - T ~ ~r nr r . r ,a , w ~ a ~r ~ n , hen it camel to fire sprinklers, Jim Ford helped write the boak-or at least the ordinance and the fallow-up studies- thatchanged fire caries across the nation. Ford, a longtime member of the fire service in Scott- sdale, Arizana,took anearly interest in fire preven- tion. In 1975, when he just 19 years old, he joined the By Beverly Ford Rural Metro Fire Department, which provided fire and medical services to Scottsdale and many unincorpo- J imFord, the steward of the landmark home rated areas outside of Phoenix, As one of the youngest full-time firefighters an the farce, he rose through the sprinkler ordlrlanCe Irl Scottsdale, Arizona, ranks tobecomefiremarshalin 1.989 and was later to (ks a b o u t t h e rewa rd s Of 3 o ye a r~ Ofi b e i ng a named deputy chief following a transition to the newly fire-protected COrI'lrl'IUnlty created Scottsdale Fire Department in 2005. Today, he 60 JL OCTOBER 2016 i ,y~ ~.lF L'7~i'; i ti(M .*t r . , , . .y , , u ~ ~ Y ~ , . 1 a~ _ W e r 5 r ~ v ~ _ w T, °sr? .4 r ~P` ~ ~ ~ r R ~ 1 ,A A ~ . i } m ~ . +iE ° ~ ~ ,n ~a ~ ~ v n F ~ .a» t w ~ - ~i ~Y 1 .rr a ~ aEa ~ ~ ~ - ti ,R ~ ..a x, 'i w . , ~ . w ~ , 1 ~ z s ~ ~ e: ~ jr.r 1 'i.. 1 ~~1 ! . i y~ . n 'b1YAki. x i n A II ~ ~ ...Y, } WFM n. a l u ~...,w 3t. nr~,r .IE~ ` I x. 1 ~ M ..m ` a ~ a # Any I~~ K _ aa. _ a ~N i n t w S serves as both deputy chief and fire marshal to Scottsdale, a As blunt and critical as they were, the findings hit the 184-square-mile city along the northeast border of Phoenix right chord. The report prompted the creation of the U.S. amid the rugged Sonoran Desert. Fire Administration, the National Fire Academy, the Center It was an event in 1973, however, that would serve as the for Fire Research, and the National Fire Incident Reporting centerpiece for much of Ford's career. That was the year the System. It also addressed the high death rate among U.S. National Commission on Fire Prevention and Control issued firefighters, leading to improvements in firefighting equlp- astunning report on fire loss in the United States.The report, ment and training along with the creation of new building titled "America Burning," concluded that the country needed and fire codes. to do more to prevent losses associated with fires by better By the 1980s, as the once-sleepy desert community ofScott- educatingthe public in fire prevention and by providing sdale blossomed into a city of more than 100,000 residents, the better training to firefighters. In a stinging rebuke of public apathy, the report concluded that "the Strlking aspect of the Nearly 60 percent of the single-family homes in Scottsdale, Arizona, nation's fire problem is the indifference with which Americans are sprinklered. Fire officials credit sprinklers for significant reductions in Confront the sub)ect." civilian fire injuries and deaths, as well as property damage due to fires. OCTOBER 2016 F 7~2R 61 Photograph iStockPhoto HOME FIRE SPRINKLERS m . ~ W ~.>x I~W~'. - r ~ ; ~ ~ ~ 4~.: _ Frr ~ f l i gy,~-neu 6~ „w.~,,..,~~...-...a~.-..n....~ •rw . i A ~ eI~,M { xr 1 'h MRIAM' ~ " UI~IIY A *`Fr. a _ *~ww±~wwww~wr _ , k r ~M 9 . ~ _ community's firefighters began thinking In 1985, the city passed an ordi- to be a watershed event in fire preven- abouthow they could curtail fires, not nance requiring every commercial and tion, not just in Scottsdale but around only in large buildings but in homes as multi-family building to be outfitted the country. "Scottsdale was among well. The sobering findings of "America with fire sprinklers. The ordinance also the first communities in the country to Burning" were a constant part of the required that single-family homes built draw a line in the sand and say, `This is background for those conversations, and after January 1,1986, be fully outfitted our community-if you build in our Ford and his colleagues were determined with approved fire sprinklers. Sprin- city, you will protect what you build,"' to do whatever they could to minimize klers are also required >n major remod- said Ford, noting that the Scottsdale the threat from fire. eling projects. The ordinance proved ordinance became a model of fire safety for communities nationwide. Approxi- mately 85-90 percent • ' ' of the commercial occupancies and nearly 50,000 homes are now protected by sprinklers in Scotts- . dale-more than half the homes in the city. 62 PAlQRNAL OCTOBER 2016 Photograph:NFPA i FEATURE Ford added that city officials have often been willing totake uncon- What were some of the ventianal approaches to addressing problems, such as building a tradeoffs you agreed to? greenbelt to serve as a flood control area instead of the stark and ugly When we passed our ordi- cementchannels seen in other cities that were suggested by the Army Hance, we baked to see Corps of Engineers. When it came to fire safety, the thought process what we could include that was similar, Ford said. City officials recognized. that Scottsdale needed wouldn't necessarily pay for an ardinance to protect residential property, since mare fires occur in sprinklers in the buildings, residences than anywhere else. but at least offset them. Today This year marks the 30th anniversary of the passing of Scottsdale's we call those things "design ordinance, and Ford recently spoke with NFPA)ournal about the chat- freedoms." One of those lenge of making the city a "fire-protected community," acknowledging was hydrants. We looked that the fight is far from over. The battle, he said, "is just as heated as it at the fire flaws for sprin- everwas." klered versus non-sprinkled buildings and determined What prompted Scottsdale to adopt a sprinkler that we needed less water ardinance in the first place? for sprinklered complexes, In 1975 we passed our first ardinance, which said if you build We reduced the fire flows a anything over ;',500 square feet or anything aver three stories, it had little bit and we increased the to have automatic sprinklers. That was a direct result of the "America hydrant spacing. Hydrants Burning" report. The report said that if we want to improve fire had been spaced 330 feet services and if we want to address the fire problem in America, here's apart far commercial build- what yauhave to do.One ofthose things was tochange aurbuilt envi- ings and 660 feet apart for ronment. Sprinklering properties wasn't the only thing we did. We residential, and we basically improved our training. We tried to improve our equipment. We did doubled that, to 700 feet for a lot mare outreach. There's a whale lot of things "America Burning" commercial and 1,200 feet for addressed that we did. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • residential. That represented The impetus for all those changes came In Apri11982, when our a big cost savings far develop- chief, Lou Wit~~eman, was able to talk a developer of residential homes ers and the fire department into sprinklering two houses. It showed that the concept of residential was ak with it too. sprinklers could work. We passed our first comprehensive sprinkler ordinance in Scottsdale three years later, in )une 1985. That ordinance What other said if you build in the city of Scottsdale and you increase our fire risk., accommodations did you're going to protect that property with sprinklers. The require- Scottsdale make? ment far sprinklers insingle-family homes went into effect six months On residential canstruc- later, in )an~uary 1.986. That's how we started building afire-protected • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • tion, we put sprinklers in community. the garages too because we have a lot of garage fires. We Haw did Scottsdale manage to bring sa many diverse took out a requirement that groups--builders, planners, firefighters, and ether there be a separation between interests--to the table and get them all to agree to a the garage and the house protective sprinkler ordinance? that would keep a fire from We worked with a true coalition. We had our water department spreading for at least an hour. there, we had our building department there, we had our plan- We've never counted an that Hers and the development community there, we had the insurance in a residential pause fire. The industry there. That model. turned out to be very successful recently self closing char between the in California, which passed a statewide sprinkler regulation. You garage and house still has to bring everybody into the coalition and you educate and explain and be there, but it doesn't have look at the options. That's what we did in 1985. And it's important to be a fire-rated door. We to acknowledge the local leaders, policy makers, and elected officials told builders if they gave us for the courage they've shown to implement this and to keep it in the corrective stuff, we'd take place over the years. away what we could. OCTOBER 2016 NAPA ~~3lJAL ~3 HaME FIRE SPRINKLERS What was the opposition to the But Haw same state legislatures, 50,000 homes sprinklered because ordinance? including Arizona's, are siding with webe been working an this so long. We actuallygot opposition from bath the homebuilders' argument that the We don't tie up a lot of fire depart- sides-firefighters and homebuilders. decision to sprinkler should be an indi- ment equipment and personnel, The fire service didn't like the reduction victual choice and that the homeown- either. The impact is much less. in fire flaws and the increase in hydrant er's wishes carry mare weight than spacing, but we tested those things and a community's ability to set public Can you quantify that lower they really had little ar na impact at all. safety protection laws. We had atzr fire loss? The builders didn't want the ordinance ordinance in place already, sa that shift The real key is when you look at fire to be mandatary and they still don't didn't affect us. It also didn't affect any lass per capita, which is the dollar want it mandatory. That's still up in community that had asimilar ardi- impact of those incidents. A recent the air today. When we looked at it, we Hance in place before the state legis- independent evaluation identified our realized that if it wasn't mandatory for lature gat involved. It was validation fire loss at $7.31 per capita. Compare everybody then we could not provide that NFPA and the International Code that to the Western region's $36 per design freedoms. We could not make Council followed Scattsdale's lead and capita, and the national average of $27 our streets narrower, we could not put sprinkler requirements far one- per capita-we're a fraction of those increase the hydrant space and reduce and two-family homes in their codes. levels. We have slightly more incidents the fire flow because same houses might than comparably sized communi- nat besprinklered while others would Is there still opposition to the ties, but we have a much better record be. We couldn't set the system up for the Scottsdale ordinance? of reducing the impact. That's what best-case scenario, sa we had to set it The only opposition I get is from the sprinklers can do, and that's what we up for a worst-case scenario. That's why homebuilders' assaciatio~n. They say, focus on. We know we can't stop all the we made it mandatary-it would level "We don't think this should bemanila- incidents, but we've greatly reduced the the playing field for every developer out tory but we know you're Hat going impact of the apes that occur. there. At the time, the builders actu- to change." In Scottsdale, there's very ally said that, though they didn't like little opposition to our ordinance now Have there been other benefiits? the mandatory component, as long as because it has worked so well. There was an initial study done on nobody did mare than Scottsdale they fire hydrants and water flow require- didn'tneed tooppose the ordinance. Of What are some of the ways the menu, and our water department course, that's all changed dramatically ordinance has worked? found that with hydrant spacing and with the approach that the National We have more calls for service our infrastructure, itwould save in Association of Home Builders has compared to other cities our size, but the neighborhood of $7 million to $8 taken, but at the time we had the buy-in our overall fire lass is lower. We still million if we required all buildings to from the home building community, have fires, but five don't have nearly be sprinklered. That's a huge savings for the developers, and the contractors. the size or number of what other the community. Also, because of the communities da, because about 95 reduced fire problem, the fire depart- How has the homebuilders' percent of our fires in properties ment can do a lot more far the cammu- approaeh Changed? protected by automatic sprinklers are nity. We fully embrace the all-hazards Our city council decided that public controlled by one ar two sprinklers. approach to response and community safety is the council's responsibility. Right now, we're just shy of having risk reduction. We da hazmat. We da community outreach. We da emergency medical services, which is anywhere from 60-80 percent of our calls now. We're ' providing a much better level of gallons gallons service an the type of calls that regularly impact our commu- nity. All of our firefighters are medically trained. Our trucks are staffed with four peaple- anengineer, acaptain, and two 64 NAPA JtBL OCTOBER 2016 i FEATURE firefighters-and two of those four are not sprinklered will require a full ordinance, we've never lost a firefighter advanced life care paramedics. Every response. Our guys will be there a long in Scottsdale. unit is connected directly tothe emer- time, and when they walk in the front gency room. Those units can provide a door they'll be flowing 150 to 200 What challenges does Scotts- higherlevel ofservice toour residents gallons per minute per hose line. If it dale's fire department face now? and our visitors. turns into an extended event, it will be Homebuilders are now putting up 1,000 gallons per minute minimum. homes that are 18,000 or 20,000 Has there been a reduction in fire So we will flow 10, 20, 50 times more square feet. How do you design a home services as a result of building a water on the non-sprinklered house sprinkler system that can contain a fire-protected community? than on the sprinklered house. fire in amini-mansion? The answer is This is something that comes up all the you can't. For firefighter safety, what time. One of the arguments against a Has the ordinance help cut we've done in Scottsdale is adjust our sprinkler ordinance is that sprinklers fire deaths in Scottsdale? ordinance so that now if you build mean you'll lose fire services. But we Yes-we didn't have a single death in any residential property over 12,000 are anall-hazards emergency service, a sprinklered home in the 15 years square feet-which happens to be the definition of a big-box commercial buildin we make ` "The only opposition I get g- o,. ~ you sprinkler it to a is from the homebuilders multi-family limit of - elation. The sa `We protection.I'd much a also Y Y~ rather my firelight- { k ~ donut think this should be ers go into a Home ,r Depot or a Lowe's mandatory but we knout or a Walmart than a ou're not oin to chan e."' 15,ooo-square-foot Y g g g house where every- thing is custom and there's a lot of open space. It's much and you don't change the infrastruc- between more dangerous for our guys to go ture that was there before you adopted 1986 and ' ' ' _ ' ' ' into those kinds of structures. So we an ordinance. You still have your exist- 2000. . , . , . ~ ~ ~ ~ required homebuilders to increase the ing hydrants, you still have the existing During fire protection in those buildings. We streets, and you still have your existing that also put an electric flow switch and bell structures. That all stays. Our down- period, we had 13 fire fatalities in homes on every house, so if nobody is home town is all older infrastructure that without sprinklers and at least 13 saves and we have a fire inside, we have at doesn't fall under the 1986 ordinance. in sprinklered properties including least a local alarm that will activate. You still need fire and emergency homes. If we weren't protected the services to cover all of that. way we are, I honestly believe those 13 What would you have done saves would have been fatalities. That differently with Scottsdale's What is it like to fight a fire in means we would have been right at the ordinance? a home with sprinklers versus a national average for cities our size. We I wouldn't have gone to 1,200 feet home without? essentially cut our fatality rate in half between hydrants-I would have gone If you have two houses side-by-side, during those first 15 years. In the next to 1,000 feet. I think that would have one sprinklered and one not, the 15 years, between 2001 and this year, made it easier for the civil engineers one with sprinklers is going to be we've had one death in a sprinklered to design the infrastructure. Opera- controlledwith one or two sprinkler home, and that one involved a man with tionally, it doesn't make a difference, heads flowing 10 or 15 gallons of water severe physical limitations who started but it would have made a difference per minute until we can get there. It a fire by smoking while using a home in design. Other than that, I'm pretty keeps the fire small. The home that's oxygen system. And since we passed the satisfied with what we've done. Photograph: NFPA OCTOBER 2016 NFP 1R~Nl 65 There's no uestion what ou q Y Your family's safety is so important. And protecting them from fire is a top priority because fire is fast. It can become deadly in three minutes or less. Will you be ready? Especially at night when everyone is sleeping? You can protect your family from a fire zq. hours a day with home fire sprinklers. Only the sprinkler closest to the fire activates from the heat while the fire is still small, preventing deadly smoke and fire from spreading. That gives you extra time to get your family to safety. There's no question what you value most. And there is no better choice than a home protected with fire sprinklers. Learn more online at HomeFireSprinkler.org arcall 8,~.55o.HFSC (437=~~ R ' ~ _ tw ~ I 3~ . i _ ~ Y ~ ~ 'lei ~ i-,- ~ ; _ d 1 . x N ~ . r I~ ~ ~ . T t ~'V~ a t ~41u ~ y '..r. 1 r ~ ~e~ ~ ~ , . 1 *z' { ~ ' _ _ i~r r r ,e S ,1 r. p jy}. s~ yr .R i ~ ~ "R s. r _ .r ,,1 ~ ~ ~ e .~n f i . , _ ~ ~ ~ v~~ _ r.~w HONAE F1RE SPRINKLERS A5K Ft?-R THEM Nome Fire Sprinkler _Proteet What You Value Most HomeFireSprinkier.o~g Please follow us on ~'1 y @HFSCorg Q ©ao~6 Home Fire sprinkler coalition, Inc. q I' • . . u= - a; ~ , 5::' 3 Iv i c a,a , V~~.k, ~~r ~ ` ° ~ ~ - m a, ~ .v ~Y~ 'ti r r r ; ~ ix fi ~ d & ~ ._d~ z~ d a ,y ~ _ r w „ , , w L c~ i @~ y,~. xwx ..~mm+~n ferq. t ' u HOME FIRE SPRINKLERS, d t# ~ ~ } , . ~ ~ ~ ; ,~~~r j~~~~~ ~ ~~~+~~r. ~ ~ however, SAVE LIVES ~ 3 ~ r ~~~~~~~r ~ ~j~ and PROPERTY w%~~o ~ f', i. ~ +~:..~ji s11 ~ ~ ~ f:~~1. i j '~~~'M~1yi t ! Ir j~~ ;~a ~i ~ ~ ~ p~P~ A,~t1°(,j9. Qd{~ ~ ! ~g ~}"4p,'~ ^ 1 ~ ~ O f; ~ ~tf~{~~# =~i,yd~~~r.,t ,i ~ ~ Home fire sprinklers reduce civilian fire deaths by 80 /o, i l~It,, , ,6 ~ 0 t #~+.';~9A 'I t~ y ~f y' ~ r c ~~r1.taq~ y y a A f 3 ,,..,i~. ¢ ~ ~ r 3 ~ E~A~ 9 , , ~ ~ °r ~ ~ ~ ~ ~p~' y ~~YA {5` reduce direct ro ert lama a er fire b 70 /o, and reduce3: ~~,r.~ tt'~'! x t. 1 ~ > ~ v ~ S 'fir ~ ~ ~ ~ r firefighter injuries by 65%. Learn more: ~ t~ ~ ~ q., v.. ~ a ~ • ~ 4 ~ www.firesprinklerinitiative.o g ~ ~ ~ ~ a» a ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ' rr FIRE SPRINKLER INITIATIVE ~ ` r.,, ~ ; .n ~ ~ ~ : r k ~ . ~ ~ y ' ~ NFPA ff , ~ g: . , ~ v ~ ~ ~ ~ y r ~ ~ 1 ~ ~ ~ . ~ zo`, z ~ ? , ■ ■ ■ ~I ~ N f~, w~ . m ,r w. ~Y. t, ~ J v M ~ I ~1 w < n~` ' R ,~'y'. '~"y '4, x Y ice„ 43c ~ ~ hq~n ~~~a n. U+ u6q ? "4 Vie. i' 'v J } ~Y : r ' Sri-. w ~~.y~ 1 y CCa3 R , , ~4:. . t~ R1 Tx a v;H X y. ~ \ ~b p.~~~ • r r& r ~ L~. J~~` ~~'.Y {'A. ` ~ ~iCil. E~. Se~, L ~ ;e_l ~ J ' Fly y Y~ ' 9; ~ / r t ~ 'e 5 B ~ ~s' L V m W' . ~ r n ~ ~ ~ $f, t? Q ~ ~ l { © h2;~ ~ x,, ~ ~xi, ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ s ux~ 5K f~-. V ~~~Y" i ~ R: T' i\ n ^ n x . iii, /r. r. # ~t~ r r c- ,h v i ~ / 4: I I H /N., " i . ~ ~ ? ( ti I r ~ f s / ~ { r ~ ~ i / s 5; f ~ i ~ .I 9 f~ SURVI:Yl~CE Pamela Elliott has become a votal adu~c~~~pr home fire sprinklers, especially ~ ~ ~ { to protect th most at risk in home fires. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ i' ~ ,r ~ r ~ , r , ~ • ~ " ~ ~ ~ i SPECIAL ISSUE PAMELA ELLIOTT A nurse and burn survivor pushes for home fire spink ers here were no screams, no pain. Pamela Elliott can't even recall the smoke or flames that enveloped her bedroom inside her West Virginia home as she awoke that April day in 1959. Elliott does remember a young man, a stranger who saw the fire from the high- way, wrapping her in his navy-blue jacket and whisking her to safety. Elliott, then five, screamed only when she assumed the man carrying her was going to throw her into a nearby rose bush. Instead, he gently placed her in his car and sped to the nearest hospital. n' Third-de- greeburns covered half her body, but they hardly fazed her. Neither did the realization that the fire had fused the end joints of her fingers; the digits, while altered, were fully functional. "My mother instilled in me that I was just like any other little girl and I can do anything other little girls can do,"says Elliott, who lives inWinston-Salem, North Carolina. She spent more than a de- cadeundergoing reconstructive surgery during her elementary and high school years, she says, but not a single peer poked fun at her appearance. 'Then came college. She had her heart set on becoming a physician's assistant, but Elliott was told by medical personnel that her appear- ance "would instill in patients a deeper fear" of doctors. "Honey, what happened to you?" was a common query while she attended Piedmont International University. "That's when I became acutely aware of my appearance," says Elliott. "I became an angry, snotty, bitter woman." ' Even so, a mantra from her family-"what happened to you happened for apurpose"-kept running through her mind. In her 40s, she entered what she calls the "burn world" by linking up with other survivors and volunteering in her local hospital's burn unit, steps that fine-tuned Elliott's purpose, she says. "I'm hereto speak for those who can't speak for themselves and those most vulnerable in house fires: infants, children, the elderly, and the disabled," says Elliott, apart-time nurse at Wake Forest Baptist Health inWinston-Salem. Elliott's is a powerful voice in the push for sprinkler requirements. She has joined an army of burn survivors who have taken sprinkler advocacy training provided by the Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering people affected by burn injuries through peer support, education, and advoca- cy. Combining survivor stories with tips on crafting effective presentations and leveraging the media, the training has strengthened Elliott's outreach efforts. ~ :She's discussed sprinklers at national events and is a familiar presence at her local elementary school, where she gives presen- tations that include information from the Fire Sprinkler Initiative. Elliott has also brought her voice to the North Carolina Fire Sprinkler Coalition. In 2014, NFPA, the Phoenix Society, the Na- tional Fallen Firefighters Foundation, and Common Voices-a coalition of individuals, includ- ing Elliott, impacted by fire-commended Elliott for her pointed op-ed piece that appeared on FirefighterNation.com. Inthat commentary, she tied the current push for sprinkler requirements to the efforts of a federal transportation agency to reduce child runover deaths through the man- datoryinstallation ofbackup cameras in vehicles. ~ "We're going to have backup cameras in all cars, but we can't get doggone fire sprinklers in all new homes?" she asks. "I applaud them for doing that, but there are children also dying in homes. We've been so slow to respond:' OCTOBER 2016 NFPA JGIURNAL 69 SPECIAL ISSUE HOME FIRE SPRINKLERS Water Purveyors and Home Fire Sprinklers ■ By Stephanie Schorow Why water purveyors are ignoring the myths and embracing homesprinklersas allies of municipal watersupplies to Feinglas, a senior water resources analyst for the S town of Westminster, Colorado, could not be more blunt. About two years after this city of 110,000 adopted requirements for home fire sprinklers in new construction ofone- and two-family homes, there has been "zero" impact on the city's water supply, Feinglas said. "We had concerns at first because we didn't know what would happen," said Feinglas, a water analyst for the last 15 years, who supported adopting new rules for home sprinklers as a life-safety issue. "Like any utility, we had a pricing structure set up. As we worked through that, we realized sprinklers didn't make a difference. Single-family homes with sprinklers were going to use water like any single-family home." Yet one of the deterrents to greater acceptance of home fire sprinklers by both homeowners and builders has been the supposed added cost of water. As a result, many water purvey- orsconcerned about the effect on municipal water systems charge a substantial initial installation fee and~or annual quarterly "standby" fees for residential sprinklers. Charges can run into the thousands of dollars, said Jeffery Hudson, an NFI'A regional sprinkler specialist. ~ ~ ~ ~ Y} ~j %y b M .2 ~ M1 ' R°M1! ~ Y Y .M1I Y. t~ L "~'H'~Y~b ~ .f S 5~ „~`J. r .4 'r,~,n'sa1 h~Ce arj r h ~ ~f ~r F Lx ~,w Y ?.N S Y~ ..11~ Y ggR Y jk ~Y tp4 5.:7 9~ 6 A F 5 ~~~~s ~t~~ { i f . Y,r~ ~ ~.1 1 ~ - l ' A^~~y+ j 1 <Y ~4 . b8' ~ ~F t. Si ti f' I F; y. , , a: i di R r .f, HOME FIRE SPRINKLERS The extra costs discourage the commercial and industrial sprinklers, advocates, is to give residents rebates installation of home fire sprinklers even if the underlying technology or other types of rewards for installing and do not make economic sense, is similar. That's why the national home fire sprinklers, because in the said Tim Travers, an NFPA regional non-profit Home Fire Sprinkler long run they will use far less water in sprinkler specialist and previously Coalition (HFSC) has created material the event of a fire. a member of the fire service. Some and brochures specifically for water Another common misconception purveyors to help dispel surrounding home sprinklers is that "There are still a few myths and misperceptions they can drain water supplies, even around sprinklers. if they are never used or in the rare 1 myths ~ut there ab~Ut For example, sprinklers in event that they develop a leak. This homes operate individually fails to take into account the fact that the impact of home and only in response to the S rinklers ~n munici al high heat from fire; the sprin- p klers don't all activate together, water suppl ~ but that's and they don't activate in ~ ' = ' y 1 1 1' i 6 response to smoke. In most . , . . all they are-myths. home fires, only one sprinkler • 1 / 1 ~ 1 9 is needed to control the fire, ' - ° ~ ° ° ~ ° according to the HFSC. ' " ° ' r Compared to the amount of - waterused byfirefighters on , water purveyors "see installation of atypical home fire, home sprinklers home fire sprinklers as amoney- reduce the water needed to fight _ _ _ 4 a~ making proposition," he said. a fire by as much as 90 percent, Hudson has been working with according to a study conducted by the Oregon Fire Sprinkler Coali- the insurer FM Global for the HFSC. tion on a workgroup to examine Home fire sprinklers generally emit how local water purveyors assess about 15 gallons of water a minute and collect fees for home sprinklers. for seven to 10 minutes when trig- : ~ ~ FY The group hopes to encourage the gered by the high heat of a fire; by - ~ - state legislature to pass regulations comparison, a fire hose sprays 150 ~a preventing water purveyors from to 180 gallons a minute for 10 to 20 assessing special charges ordevelop- minutes, said Rick Ennis, chief of ment fees for home fire sprinkler the Cape Girardeau, Missouri, Fire installation. "A lot of it is a matter of Department. "That's an order of educating people involved in making magnitude difference," he said. "It's these policy decisions," Hudson said. also the difference between very little "There are still a few myths out there property damage due to water versus about the impact of home sprinklers significant damage from water." . . r; .p, on municipal water supply, but that's Keith Flood, the fire marshal in all they are-myths." West Haven, Connecticut, cites a fire earlier this year in a large, relatively K WATER MYTHS, new house in the nearby town of WATER REALITIES Avon; 280,000 gallons of water were home fire sprinklers are comparable When water purveyors first encoun- used to extinguish the blaze. In cases to bathroom showerheads and are ter the possibility of home fire sprin- like this, though, municipalities don't no more likely to leak than any other kler requirements in their communi- calculate the amount of water used form of home plumbing, said Flood, ties, many are uninformed on the on a fire, and they don't send a bill who organized a water summit last basics of home sprinklers. In many to homeowners. What communi- year that brought together water cases, they don't realize that home ties should do, however, according purveyors, fire service professionals, systems are much different from to Flood and other home sprinkler builders, and municipal officials. 72 NFPA JOURNAL OCTOBER 2016 Photograph: AP/Wide World I FEATURE Most sprinklers do not require a separate water line; they can be Amore realistic concern for installed using a home's normal water service line, Flood said. Yet some municipalities that are consid- communitiesrequire (and charge for} an additional water line, and some Bring mandating home sprin- requiredifferent, larger hand more expensive} water meters. klers is the potential contami- "Ithink there's a stigma that home fire sprinklers need alot of mainte- nation from stagnant or nance and are costly to maintain," Hudson said. "The opposite is true." otherwise compromised water in home systems ortanks- TACKLING LIDGISTICS waterthat doesn't affect NFPA 13D, Inst~~llation of Sprinkler Systems inOne- and Two-Family sprinkler performance but Dwellings and Manufactured Homes, permits two kinds ofhome sprin- that in some cases may present klers: stand-alone systems, in which the sprinkler system is rode- an environmental concern. r ~ Bd v ~ °u .c~. _i a I:F. W~: c , ~ Y r Q/O m ~u .n .ry I k m,. a~ ti•; r ~ ' 9 °Ir : I A~ ,~1.. it I pendent of the home's plumbing system, and multipurpose systems, Such issues can, however, in which the sprinkler system is combined with the home's cold water be addressed with backflow supply and plumbing. Most home fire sprinklers are connected to the preventers. These mechanisms domestic water supply. Where public water is not available or pressure are not required by NFPA 13D, is insufficient, a well or a tank and pump can be used for water supply; part of the standard's goal of this is a practical option for rural homes that are not connected to making installation simple municipal water systems. A water flow test is recommended every six while keeping costs low, but months and can be easily performed by the resident. may be required by local code. OCTOBER 2016 NFFA d©URNAL 73 HOME FIRE SPRINKLERS , ~ _ r. ' , _ ~ ; ~ ~ , installed; about 90 percent of them are a ~ „ ~ stand-alone systems. Before California became the first ~ ,q U.S. state to mandate the installa- - tion of sprinklers in all new one- and a ~ two-family dwellings, inJanuary ~ ~ ~ ~ r 2011, major legwork was needed. M 1~~,~~~; ~ ~ "We created three task-force rou s ' ~ ~ and brought together many folks and ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ key players," said Tonya Hoover, the - ~ f ~ ~ a r-~,~ former state fire marshal for California, ^tb Ire ~ ~ ~ in a 2014 interview with NFPA Journal. m "Our California Building Industry r ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Association was at the table; we had P:_ water purveyors at the table; we had ~ ~ builders, we had fire protection engi- , ~ neers, we had building officials and fire . ~ ~ ~ officials. We tried to make sure that we were hearing from as many folks Home sprinklers have been found to have no impact on municipal water supplies. as possible, not just the good of home fire sprinklers, but maybe some of the One approach that eliminates the need Other logistical issues related to more challenging pieces." for a backflow preventer is to connect water can be surmounted. For example, The result? "It took about a minute the sprinkler system to the toilet tank when Westminster, Colorado, adopted and a half to adopt the package when located the greatest distance from the its new codes in 2010, implementa- we went before the building standards water supply. With each flush, water tion of the single-family detached fire commission on January 12, 2010," is drawn through the sprinkler line, sprinkler section was deferred until Hoover said. according to the HFSC. January 2013. "This was because state To Feinglas, the benefits of home Another consideration is that rules at the time only allowed pipefit- sprinklers vastly outweigh logistical when home sprinklers are employed tern to install the sprinkler systems," issues or concerns about their use. That's why Westminster • charges neither a • fee for installing all n ' home sprinklers g o s gallons al~ons • g nor an annual or • monthly extra usage fee. After some initial • reluctance, both residents and builders have come to accept, in the event of a fire, the resulting Feinglas said. "Since multipurpose and in many cases embrace, the new wastewater has fewer persistent systems were part of a plumbing requirements, Feinglas said. pollutants, such as heavy metals, and system, the state had to have time to And if it's further evidence you need, fewer solids. A study by FM Global modify rules to allow for plumbers Feinglas has that, too. "Construction is for HFSC found that sprinklers to install fire sprinkler systems as a booming," he said. can reduce fire damage by up to 97 part of the plumbing system." The ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~,~s a n~ percent, which means less waste is issue was resolved, and since then 286 Stephanie Schorow is a writer based sent to landfills. homes have been built with sprinklers in Boston. 74 NFPA JOURNAI OCTOBER 2016 Photograph: i5tockPhoto i SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION ~.ni z w: ~`{~e< ,mhfipll~ll s ' m erature Are Intermediate Te p ■ ~ ~ ~ ~ n i I S rinklers a Better 0 tion. Res~dent a p ~ a p any residential NFPA STANDARDS reduce complexity and confusion on sprinkler models are NFPA 13,13R, and 13D Installation the job site. available inboth ordi- Standards state that ordinary tem- naryand intermediate perature-rated sprinklers are allowed BEST PRACTICES temperature-rated for use where ambient temperatures To ensure proper performance of versions. Consider these factors when are 100°F or less. Intermediate residential fire sprinkler systems, choosing the temperature rating for temperature sprinklers are allowed follow these best practices: your next residential installation. for installation in ambient tempera- tures of up to 150°F, and in fact can be If exposure above 100°F (38°C) UL TESTING AND LISTING used in place of ordinary temperature is possible, use intermediate All UL Listed residential sprinklers, sprinklers throughout the home. In temperature-rated sprinklers regardless of temperature rating, warmer climates, it is common for per NFPA requirements. are "fast response" by definition. temperatures in unventilated attics To separate excessive attic All Listed residential sprinklers are and other unconditioned spaces to heat from sprinklers and piping, subjected to the same UL 1626 test easily exceed 100°F. Ifordinary tem- properly tent and fully insulate all standard, which isaimed at ensur- perature sprinklers are used, adequate pipes in unconditioned spaces. ing that the home's inhabitants can insulation to protect sprinklers from If exposure above 100°F (38°C) safely escape a fire by providing 10 temperatures above 100°F should be is possible, install ordinary minutes of tenability. The ULList- installed. For concealed sprinklers, temperature-rated sprin- ingmeans the sprinkler meets the the element is installed entirely above klers only after the protected criteria, regardless of temperature the plane of the finished ceiling. space has been conditioned. rating, style, manufacturer, etc. Carefully protect and handle all FLEXIBILITY AND CONSOLIDATION fire sprinklers to avoid dam- STANDARDIZATION Intermediate temperature-rated age, including damage that can ON ORDINARY OR INTERMEDIATE sprinklers allow greater flexibility occur from exposure to heat. Recognizing that both ordinary and when positioning sprinklers near po- Pressure Relief Valves should be intermediate temperature sprinklers tential heat sources such as fireplaces, installed on all sprinkler systems. achieve this same level of life safety, heat diffusers, skylights, and kitchen the NFPA 13D Installation Standard ovens. In addition to offering safety allows standardization oneither and performance advantages, Stan- For additional information, please ordinary or intermediate temperature dardizing on intermediate tempera- visit www.vikinggroupinc.com or sprinklers throughout the home. (NFPA ture-rated residential sprinklers can contact the Viking Technical Services 13D, 2016 ed, 7.5.6.1). consolidate contractor inventories and Team at techsvcs@vikingcorp.com. For information on NFPA Journal sponsored content visit ♦ nfa.or~ljournallsponsored ocTOBER 206 NFPA JOURNAL ~5 Introducingthe new NFPAJournal a for Android, pp and the updated app forApple iOS. Nowyou can read the award-winning NFPAJournal on all of your Android-based mobile devices, as well as on your Apple iPad and iPhone. The apps are easyto use, offeragreat readingexperience,and they'refreee N0 MATTERWHAT PLATFORM YOU'RE ON WE'VE GOTYOU C011ERED. HEC TAKESON NORSKIG.NOMF.. [ANNEALiN CAAE AFIREMARSNAL GETS PN ARAAYS SPItINYlERRFfpOFIT. 0006IUS1 GET ALONG? AFIAEOF MEROWN Y ~ PPEISSpE51NTHE t ~ WAKE OF E i,. , r i ,y~ x ~ ,`,Y S' Np' ywrdyy, u J ~ ~PtmA"' rr nv A r'am' „8 - _~;q li RESILIENCE ~ A higyuture IooX al one al Me moll campelli~ concepts in yk a ~ l.q.. sahry a~M emergenry preparation, arM me role codes ~ sgiMaNs '"s~k ~ can play in making resrtie~e happen. Bylesse Roman 4SAN EKAMPLFOFRESIIJEN(1 I l ,M1'. ~ ~ ~ r~~~ . r ~ ~ l ~ ~ ~ ' . ~ ~ ~ : ~ ,;u;, , ~,1,. ~ ~~_wwl, _ ~ t; _ - ~ ~i nfpa.org/journalapps t ~ • ~ • ~ ~ NFPA ~gc~IITY MANpG~~ CERTIFIED SPRINKLER ITM SPECIALIST FOR FACILITY MANAGERS A professional credential for facility managers that highlights knowledge of the many challenges associated with the inspection, testing, and ` maintenance of water-based fire protection systems and how to keep facilities in compliance with NFPA25: Standard for the Inspection, Testing, NFPA and Maintenance ofWater-Based Fire Protection Systems. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ . ~ . ~ , 1 oston Convention and ~xh~bit~on Center PRESENTATION PR~P~SAL~ a:. r'`c aUE SEPTEMBER 12, 201 r of a.or /conference p g , . . : hrc , ^h ;w x~~- ~~s ~~y t tl~~~lu fx 6 ~ r t ~fi aF i,~ Ir{~ ' rff$t§~i 'i"~r~l/r r+ ~-kX~~~~~~~~~~ of r.~ + ~S >A ~ tl r x I ~dF, do ~FI~ r i ~ ~ > w. 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Aiii r nl xe~~s. r~~ s. i s a.t1 rr~ri ylr ~ r`+~ - f ~ T `:f a t'~ .r ~r •~irr ~ a~ :a ~ ; ~ ~ ~*~ts.~ ^+~rat ':~,i~ F.~ rM11~~ r r~ ~ ~'ll~! ; lA►.r~► k._.• ,'"*?.fi ; . ~ s ~r~ ! aA _ - < _ ~ xws a a..! ~ ~ .mod., w.~! nz 1. _ E ~ m .e~~ _ a ~ k= ,y a ~ ~E a_ e ~ -ter . ~ • u u '~11 s »9; Y.i x ; ,i.': t ~s_ 1~ y ! 4' r,',. ~ t, ti ~ ''f' ;i~ r h .A f ifii~ i JOURNAL Advertising Sales Andrea Guarnero Mohanna Sales Representatives 305 W. Spring Creek, Parkway, Bldg. C, Suite 101, Plano, TX 75023 214-291-3648, Fax 972-985-8069 nfpaadvertisin~;@nfpa.org AD INDEX AFSA www.fir~esprinkler.org 38 Potter www.pottersignal.com/PAV...,.......,........... 7 AGF Manufacturing, Inc. SimplexGrinnell www.testandrain.com .....................................27 www.TycoSimplexGrinnell.com..........,......,......15 BuildingReports Solberg Company www.solbergfoam.com/nfpa,.17 www3.buildingreports.com/NFPA2016...........1 StarLink www.napcosecurity.com/starlink......lBC CWSI www.c~vsifire.com 5 Tyco Fire Protection Products Flexhead www.flexhead.com ................................13 www.tyco-fire.com/Storage..........................IFC Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition University of Maryland www.HorneFireSprinkler.org ...................33, 66 www.advancedengineering.umd.edu/enfp001.29 NFPA www.n~fpa.org............ 28, 37, 67, 76, 77, 78, 79 Victaulic www.vicflex.com BC ............................31 Viking www.vikinggroupinc.com ......................3, 75 NFSA www.nfsa.org "I now feel more comfortable living in this home. If my kids are home alone and something happens again, fire sprinklers would give them timetogetout:' -Michelle Allyn, lost her home to fire and rebuilt with fire sprinklers fl~~ .3 Y:. Every home fire has a story. Learn how these tragedies have altered the .t lives of fire survivors and how fire sprinklers may have altered the outcomes. ~ FireSprinklerlnitiative.org/Faces 'r `s; FIRE FACES OF , o NFpA i A CAMPAIGN OF NFPA S FIRE SPRINKLER INITIATIVE a OCTOBER 2016 NFPA JOURNAL 79 e ■ ■ es~ en ~a N 1981, WHEN A DEVICE Between 1975 and 1980, when the ■ developed by Grinnell received second edition of NFPA 13D was n er the first listing as a residential published, numerous sprinkler-related ■ sprinkler, it was the culmination of an research projects and field tests were I S ~ r n eight-year process that would become conducted across the country. In one one of the most important chapters in important series of tests, in California, APRIL 1981: home fire safety. atwo-story, single-family stucco house Like so many modern fire-safety in Los Angeles was used for an array The Grinnell MOdCI stories, it began in May 1973 with of fire scenarios. Prototype testing F954 reCelVeS listing "America Burning," the report issued involved 60 fires, using both smolder- bythe National Commission on Fire ing and flaming scenarios, initiated in Prevention and Control. The Commis- the living room, kitchen, and second- sionwas charged with studying the floor bedroom. Data relating to gas fire problem in the United States and levels and temperatures, aswell aseye- 6o making recommendations toreduce level smoke obscuration, were recorded loss and improve safety. One key rec- in each test. The data produced from ' ommendation was that "the proposed the extensive testing conducted during U.S. Fire Administration support this period informed the 1980 edition 30 6I the development of the necessary of NFPA 13D, a complete re-write from l0 technology for improved automatic the previous edition. 32 ~ extinguishing systems that would With the publication of the second find ready acceptance by Americans edition of NFPA 13D, however, no in all kinds of dwelling units." The product had been listed for use spe- 31 ~ 42 report noted that residential sprinkler cifically in a residential property. But systems would save lives and reduce quick-response residential sprinklers injuries from fire and reduce the direct had been developed to put water 40 ~ and indirect costs of fire loss. on a fire faster than in a Comm ercial ? 50 _ 52 7 The same month "America Burning" or industrial property; the intent of ~ - - was released, the NFPA Committee these new systems was to control _ on Automatic S rinklers a ointed a the fire with the cost-effective s rin- P Pp p subcommittee to develop NFPA 13D, kler configurations and the water Installation of Sprinkler Systems in One- and resources available in a typical resi- Two-Family Dwellings and Manufactured dential home, giving residents time to Homes. Life safety, rather than prop- escape. In theory, the final step toward erty protection, was a primary goal implementation was for these new 45 44 34 of the proposed standard, as was the residential sprinklers to receive the need to make such systems affordable. necessary listing. Automatic sprinkler systems had been In Apri11981, Grinnell Model F954 46 36 in existence since the late 1800s, but passed the requirements of UL 1626 their use was primarily for industrial and received the first listing as a resi- t' 38 and commercial properties; the first dential sprinkler. The device went into / ~ edition of NFPA 13D, issued in 1975, production by year's end. The era of was based on expert judgment and the effective, efficient, affordable sprinkler A U.S. patent illustration of the first sprinkler extrapolation of the best information protection for homes had begun. designed specifically for residential use. available at the time. -Mary Elizabeth Woodru f f 80 FPAloUNAt OCTOBER 2016 Illustration: Simplex Grinnell i reds er Month: s Code & Save Hund p feet Toda Y ' larm leased landlines ,e lace Fire A p Iniversal Commercial Fire t ►larm Communicators ~ ~ _ I - k. a ~u ort aII FACP Brands ~ COMA pp F NET* - 2 « is low as . ink ,~arL (Q~MER(Idt SIRE dtARM (OMMUNI(gT0i7 r NppCO Universal Fn3 Comnwnicato~SLE~Dt1A~RE Universal Sole & Dual Path Cellular &/or IP, Standard & Mercantile Models • MFPA 72~~'/UL~Compliant Commercial Fire Alarm Reporting for any brand 12V*24V panel • - Contact..~Q or 4/2, _ - Ideal ~ , ~ Seale or y~' ~ ;~a ~ a ~ ~ i i ~ .u z _,_~w ~.d, u~~ p CELLUL r.....~~.~. ~ ` COMMERCIAL FIRE~2~s~.r r . ~ ~ . ~ . ~ . ~ , , ~ . ~ ~ . UL / CSFM / NYCFD BACKUP ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ " ' 1.800.645.9445 www.napcosecurity.com/starlink I ~j; Y Flex 5t~t~N~LER FITTING SYSTEMS ~ x ~ L ~ '1 ~ i rr, _ yp ! IBS l~~P ~ ~ rl .arlrr~~ 1i !i S ] } ~ { V . g p n ~ ~ e i t z 6r. uy7 r 4 a,. ~ 1 ~ ....aR _ _ ; i _ Aso if r. r~_ .irtMC. ~ 7 . ,t ~ ' `r ~ w ` ~ ~ ski ro , ~~M,"'~^v ~ ~ eh 't i ~ ~ ,'y3r e ate, y: ~,~1.;~ . r: P ~ ; g: , F~'., ~7{r k ~i~} t`~~ M1. 1r `!1 ti 4ti 4 i ~ .:-~I' 1 t' it Sp 1 ` n i' i i 0 o ~ ~ . ,