MILWAUKEE, Oct. 6 WI-HomeFireSprinklers
MILWAUKEE, Oct. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- In 2007, there were an estimated 399,000
reported home structure fires resulting in 2,865 deaths, 13,600 injuries and
$7.4 billion in direct damage in the U.S., according to the National Fire
Protection Association (NFPA). This week fire departments around
the country, including Wisconsin, will promote National Fire Prevention Week
in an effort to decrease these statistics.
According to Dan Gengler, Regional Manager for the National Fire Sprinkler
Association, Fire Prevention Week is a opportune time to inform people about
the important role fire sprinklers play in saving lives and protecting
property in schools, hotels, restaurants, campus housing, places of
entertainment and high-rise buildings, to name a few. Gengler said this is
also a good time for people to learn that fire sprinklers can protect
single-family homes.
Gengler said home fire sprinklers are a growing trend with almost 400
communities across the country requiring them in all new construction homes.
There are no Wisconsin communities with that requirement. Last month, voting
members of the International Code Council (ICC) overwhelmingly voted to
include residential fire sprinklers in new one-and-two family homes and
townhouses in their 2009 Residential Code (IRC). The requirement for one- and
two-family homes is effective January 1, 2011.
During National Fire Prevention Week, the National Fire Sprinkler
Association, Wisconsin Chapter is reminding people of the important role fire
sprinklers play in all buildings with billboard and radio ads. Gengler said
many fire departments are including fire sprinkler information in their Fire
Prevention Week messages.
"Fire Prevention Week reminds people that they should take extra caution
in their homes when cooking, not to leave candles unattended, be careful to
not overload electrical outlets and check for worn electrical cords and not to
be careless with smoking materials to name a few common fire hazards," said
Gengler. "When fire does happen in the home, it is important to have working
smoke alarms, have an escape plan, and if building a new home, consider
installing a residential fire sprinkler system."
"It is important for people to know, that home fire sprinklers are
individually activated by heat from the fire. Only the fire sprinkler closest
to the fire will go off, controlling and often extinguishing a fire while the
fire department arrives. Fire sprinklers allow family members to get out of
their homes safely," said Gengler. "People just don't think about them. When
fire sprinklers do their job, it's usually not a news story because there is
little damage with minor clean up and repairs. Often people can move back into
the building in a day or two. Fire sprinklers save lives and property. Without
fire sprinklers, it is a different story," Gengler added.
For more information, visit the NFSA WI Web site at http://www.nfsawi.org.
The National Fire Sprinkler Association Wisconsin Chapter is a non-profit
trade organization composed of fire sprinkler contractors, manufacturers and
suppliers. NFSA Wisconsin Chapter is dedicated to educating and informing fire
officials, building officials, architects, engineers, the public and elected
and appointed officials of the vital role that fire sprinklers play in fire
protection.
SOURCE National Fire Sprinkler Association
