Funicello House Fire Lawsuit Highlights Importance of Fire Sprinklers According to Fire Protection Group, Inc.
George Saadian, founder of Fire Protection Group, Inc., says the high profile case hammers home several points
LOS ANGELES, Sept. 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Annette Funicello is a beloved symbol of Baby Boomers' childhoods, but this week she's also a great symbol of what can happen when you're unprepared for a fire. While many details of the fire itself are unknown, reasonable speculation about the circumstances allows the case to serve as a useful example of what fire protection systems can do.
Home fire sprinklers, like those available from Fire Protection Group, Inc. work by responding to a temperature change near the individual sprinkler head that discharges. The resulting fire suppression reduces smoke and hampers the fire's spread, which buys the fire department valuable time. Fire protection Group offers these and a number of other fire protection services.
"Funicello is an example of a number of common fire consequences, unfortunately," says George Saadian, the founder of Fire Protection Group, Inc. The original Mickey Mouse Club member was probably never in serious danger, because she, like most Americans, is well-trained in responding to fires.
"The problem," says Saadian, "is that fires this size should be easily suppressed by fire sprinkler systems we've been developing for literally 200 years!" He cites Sir William Congreve as the inventor of the first overhead sprinklers for fire suppression back in 1812. "Homes shouldn't be built without them after all this time."
Now, due to the spread of the small house fire back in 2011, an unfortunately common phenomenon is unfolding: Neighbors are suing because they allege that the fire damaged their homes too. They're seeking damages in excess of $25,000 for repairs and medical expenses.
"We see this all the time," says Saadian. "It's lawsuits like these that prompt some owners to install sprinklers in their homes during the rebuilding process." But he goes on to point out the absurdity of the situation: a set of fire sprinklers cost much less than a lawsuit from your neighbors. What's more, the fire fighters were able to neutralize the danger completely in under a half hour. The fire wasn't even severe enough to burn up Funicello's classic posters, which are made of paper.
"Decades of overly frugal builders are the problem, not Funicello herself," says Saadian, "plus the false assumption that fire sprinklers will cause water damage." This stems from the Hollywood notion of a fire sprinkler he says. "I can't tell you how I often I have to explain that they don't all turn on at once at the first sign of smoke."
If you're ready to install fire sprinklers in your home, call Fire Protection Group, Inc. at (888) 251-3488 or visit www.firesprinkler.com for information.
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SOURCE Fire Protection Group, Inc.
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