State Fire Marshal Tonya Hoover Narrates New Video to Help California Homeowners Understand Home Fire Sprinklers

FRANKFORT, Ill., June 27, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The nonprofit Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition (HFSC) introduces a new video narrated by State Fire Marshal Tonya Hoover to educate California homeowners who are living in homes protected with fire sprinklers. The video, titled "Living With Home Fire Sprinklers in California" is a collaborative effort between HFSC and CAL FIRE - Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM). It teaches homeowners how fire sprinklers work, how to maintain them and it dispels common myths.

California adopted the 2009 International Residential Code that requires all new construction one- and two-family homes and townhomes built since January 2011 to be protected with a fire sprinkler system. Prior to adopting the state code, more than 160 municipalities adopted home fire sprinkler ordinances.  HFSC and the OSFM agree that a state-specific video about home fire sprinklers will be effective in educating the large number of homeowners who have never been exposed to home fire sprinklers and may not fully understand them.

According to HFSC and the OSFM, the biggest myths are that the entire system will activate at once or that smoke can activate a sprinkler. In the seven-minute video, Hoover clarifies that only the sprinkler closest to the fire will activate from the heat of the fire, not smoke, keeping the fire from spreading and becoming deadly. Hoover also explains that a fire sprinkler system is basically maintenance free and demonstrates how to do a simple flow test. She also offers basic tips when living with sprinklers that include not hanging things from sprinklers and to avoid painting them. Viewers are reminded that they need to practice an escape plan and have working smoke alarms to warn them when there is smoke in the house.

As State Fire Marshal, Hoover makes it clear that she is proud of the level of protection fire sprinklers offer because they protect families living in the homes and firefighters who respond to house fires.

In addition to people living in homes protected with fire sprinklers, HFSC and the OSFM encourage members of the home building industry, real estate professionals and fire departments to view the video and share with those living with fire sprinklers.

The entire "Living With Home Fire Sprinklers in California" video can be found at: www.homefiresprinkler.org/living-with-sprinklers-ca-video. This educational video was produced through funding from Tyco Fire Protection Products and Advanced Automatic Sprinklers.

About Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition (HFSC):
 The nonprofit Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition (HFSC) is a national, 501(c)(3) charitable organization focused solely on educational outreach. It is the leading resource for independent, noncommercial information about residential fire sprinkler systems. Visit HFSC at www.homefiresprinkler.org.   

SOURCE Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition