1. Advocating Residential Fire Sprinklers
Chapter 15
Advocating Residential Fire Sprinklers
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2. 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
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3. Life Safety Initiative 15
Advocacy must be strengthened for the enforcement of codes and the installation of home fire sprinklers
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4. Life Safety Initiative 15
RESIDENTIAL SPRINKLERS
Overview
Statistics
Design improvements
Cost
Governing authority requirements
Cont.
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5. 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.
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6. Life Safety Initiative 15
RESIDENTIAL SPRINKLERS
NFPA 13D
Design factors
Wet system
Dry system
Pre-action system
Cost savings
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7. Life Safety Initiative 15
THE OPPOSITION
Background
International Code Council (ICC)
International Residential Code (IRC)
NFPA 13D
Opponents
Cont.
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8. Life Safety Initiative 15
THE OPPOSITION
Cost
Building industry
Value
Personal interest
Law of supply and demand
Cost will lower over time
Cont.
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9. Life Safety Initiative 15
THE OPPOSITION
Water availability
Valid concern
Sprinkler head discharge rates
Minimum flow rates
NFPA 13 versus 13D
Cont.
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10. 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.
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11. 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.
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12. Life Safety Initiative 15
THE OPPOSITION
Need
Facts
Life safety
Actual fire damage
Actual water damage
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13. Life Safety Initiative 15
DIFFERENT PATHS
Code enforcement
Overview
Plan review
Fire inspections
Fire investigations
Fire and life safety education
Cont.
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14. 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.
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15. Life Safety Initiative 15
DIFFERENT PATHS
Sprinkler advocacy
Public promotions
Trade-offs
Planning phase
Zoning
Negotiating with water department
Cont.
Courtesy of Lt. Rob Gandee
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16. Life Safety Initiative 15
DIFFERENT PATHS
Future approaches
Home design
Aesthetics and efficiency
Rural sprinkler components
Tanks
New designs
Cont.
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17. Life Safety Initiative 15
DIFFERENT PATHS
Ease of retrofitting
Partial protection
Remodeling projects
Liability
Protecting firefighters
Retrofitting equipment
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18. 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
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