Download ppt - Chapter 15 Advocating Residential Fire Sprinklers 15-1

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


RESIDENTIAL SPRINKLERS

• Overview

• Statistics

• Design improvements

• Cost

• Governing authority requirements

Cont.15-4



• NFPA 13D

• Overview

• Simplifies for residential use

• Intent

• Save lives and property

• Consider the financial impact of such systems on homeowners

Cont.15-5



• NFPA 13D

• Design factors

• Wet system

• Dry system

• Pre-action system

• Cost savings

15-6


THE OPPOSITION

• Background

• International Code Council (ICC)

• International Residential Code (IRC)

• NFPA 13D

• Opponents

Cont.15-7


THE OPPOSITION

• Cost

• Building industry

• Value

• Personal interest

• Law of supply and demand

• Cost will lower over time

Cont.15-8


THE OPPOSITION

• Water availability

• Valid concern

• Sprinkler head discharge rates

• Minimum flow rates

• NFPA 13 versus 13D

Cont.15-9


THE OPPOSITION

• Water damage

• Misconceptions

• Water damage from operating head

• Clean water damage

• Water damage from system leak

• Insurance company concerns

Cont.15-10


THE OPPOSITION

• Resale value

• Realtor awareness of value

• Freedom of choice

• Political beliefs

• Personal choice

• Well being of the public

Cont.15-11


THE OPPOSITION

• Need

• Facts

• Life safety

• Actual fire damage

• Actual water damage

15-12


DIFFERENT PATHS

• Code enforcement

• Overview

• Plan review

• Fire inspections

• Fire investigations

• Fire and life safety education

Cont.15-13


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


DIFFERENT PATHS

• Sprinkler advocacy

• Public promotions

• Trade-offs

• Planning phase

• Zoning

• Negotiating with water department

Cont.15-15

Courtesy of Lt. Rob Gandee


DIFFERENT PATHS

• Future approaches

• Home design

• Aesthetics and efficiency

• Rural sprinkler components

• Tanks

• New designs

Cont.15-16


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