Post on 05-Jan-2016
Chapter 15
Advocating Residential Fire Sprinklers
15-1
Introduction
• Initiative 15 addresses both fire prevention code enforcement and promoting residential fire sprinklers
• Recent changes approved to the national model building code is sure to bring the adoption of more state residential sprinkler mandates
• We should work diligently to find ways to get fire suppression systems in all buildings, whether they are required or not
15-2
Life Safety Initiative 15
Advocacy must be strengthened for the enforcement of codes and the installation of home fire sprinklers
15-3
Life Safety Initiative 15
RESIDENTIAL SPRINKLERS
• Overview
• Statistics
• Design improvements
• Cost
• Governing authority requirements
Cont.15-4
Life Safety Initiative 15
RESIDENTIAL SPRINKLERS
• NFPA 13D
• Overview
• Simplifies for residential use
• Intent
• Save lives and property
• Consider the financial impact of such systems on homeowners
Cont.15-5
Life Safety Initiative 15
RESIDENTIAL SPRINKLERS
• NFPA 13D
• Design factors
• Wet system
• Dry system
• Pre-action system
• Cost savings
15-6
Life Safety Initiative 15
THE OPPOSITION
• Background
• International Code Council (ICC)
• International Residential Code (IRC)
• NFPA 13D
• Opponents
Cont.15-7
Life Safety Initiative 15
THE OPPOSITION
• Cost
• Building industry
• Value
• Personal interest
• Law of supply and demand
• Cost will lower over time
Cont.15-8
Life Safety Initiative 15
THE OPPOSITION
• Water availability
• Valid concern
• Sprinkler head discharge rates
• Minimum flow rates
• NFPA 13 versus 13D
Cont.15-9
Life Safety Initiative 15
THE OPPOSITION
• Water damage
• Misconceptions
• Water damage from operating head
• Clean water damage
• Water damage from system leak
• Insurance company concerns
Cont.15-10
Life Safety Initiative 15
THE OPPOSITION
• Resale value
• Realtor awareness of value
• Freedom of choice
• Political beliefs
• Personal choice
• Well being of the public
Cont.15-11
Life Safety Initiative 15
THE OPPOSITION
• Need
• Facts
• Life safety
• Actual fire damage
• Actual water damage
15-12
Life Safety Initiative 15
DIFFERENT PATHS
• Code enforcement
• Overview
• Plan review
• Fire inspections
• Fire investigations
• Fire and life safety education
Cont.15-13
Life Safety Initiative 15
DIFFERENT PATHS
• Adoption of sprinkler mandates
• National level laws
• Need to adopt at state and local level
• Reduction in civilian deaths
• Reduce severity of fires
• Reduce risk to firefighters
Cont.15-14
Life Safety Initiative 15
DIFFERENT PATHS
• Sprinkler advocacy
• Public promotions
• Trade-offs
• Planning phase
• Zoning
• Negotiating with water department
Cont.15-15
Courtesy of Lt. Rob Gandee
Life Safety Initiative 15
DIFFERENT PATHS
• Future approaches
• Home design
• Aesthetics and efficiency
• Rural sprinkler components
• Tanks
• New designs
Cont.15-16
Life Safety Initiative 15
DIFFERENT PATHS
• Ease of retrofitting
• Partial protection
• Remodeling projects
• Liability
• Protecting firefighters
• Retrofitting equipment
15-17
Summary
• We now have a national building code to assist us in getting residential fire sprinklers installed in all-new construction
• We need to convince the public that residential sprinkler systems are exactly what we need
• Need to increase our support of retrofitting sprinkler systems for existing buildings
• We need to look at new ideas in an effort to protect civilian and firefighter lives immediately
15-18