Quick Response: Firefighters & Fire Sprinklers Save Lives

PATTERSON, N.Y., March 16, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- A recent fire in a Bowie, Maryland, single-family home underscores the danger of home modifications that block fire sprinklers. This fire injured the homeowner and was impacted by modifications made within the home that completely blocked the fire sprinklers. Incident reports indicate that a dropped ceiling was below the fire sprinklers, thus impacting their ability to perform. This fire, like many before it, shows the need for current building and fire codes, and proper inspection, testing and maintenance.

"Prince George's County is proud to have been the first county in the United States to require residential fire sprinklers in all newly constructed residential properties," states Prince George's County Fire Chief Marc Bashoor. "In the 23 years since sprinkler legislation was enacted, there have been an average of nine fire fatalities every year in Prince George's County. No fire-related fatalities have occurred in any occupancies where sprinklers were installed. The injury on Jenkins Ridge is the most severe of any in a sprinkler-activated fire."

"Sprinkler systems in houses are essentially maintenance free," explains Jason Webb, Director of Inspection, Testing and Maintenance for the National Fire Sprinkler Association (NFSA). "But when you make modifications that block the fire sprinklers, you have a recipe for disaster."

As more homes feature the built-in safety that fire sprinklers provide, it's anticipated that more events will occur where human intervention creates potential problems. Human intervention/modification is found in 95% of fire sprinkler challenges. The key to preventing these challenges is to have a qualified fire sprinkler contractor included in any home remodel/modification where fire sprinklers are present.

Inspection, testing, & maintenance of fire sprinkler systems helps ensure that they will work when the time comes. Automatic fire sprinkler systems play a major role in protecting the public from fire. Important elements of the codes regulating construction of buildings are based on the assumption that built-in fire protection features will work and will not be modified without consulting the professionals.

To find a qualified fire sprinkler contractor in your area, visit www.nfsa.org or call the NFSA at 845-878-4200. We are happy to assist and look forward to helping you ensure your family and home are protected with a properly installed and working fire sprinkler system.

NFSA supports the educational resources available at the national nonprofit Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition (www.homefiresprinkler.org) and also the National Fire Protection Association's Fire Sprinkler Initiative (www.firesprinklerinitiative.org). Partnering together we can make a difference. Fire prevention works and fire sprinklers save lives!

Additional resources are available at www.fireadvocates.org, www.nfsa.org, www.usfa.fema.gov, and www.strategicfire.org.

SOURCE The National Fire Sprinkler Association

Related Links

http://www.nfsa.org