Life Saver Program

1
Life Saver Program
2
What Is It?

• A Fire Department Recognized Life Saver Residence
  Would Have the Following Features
• A residential fire sprinkler system
• Hardwired and interconnected smoke alarms on
  every floor, in every bedroom and immediately
  outside of bedrooms (Current Oregon Residential
  Code)
• This Program Would be Applied to All Residential
  Occupancy Types
• 1 2 Family Dwellings
• Rental Houses, Apartments
• Condominiums, Townhouses
• Adult Foster Homes (5 or fewer persons)

3
About the Idea

• A Program Created to Encourage the Installation
  of Residential Fire Sprinklers
• Modeled after the Super Good Cents Program which
  encouraged energy efficiency
• Signs were posted
• Contractors/Realtors advertised this as a plus
  for marketing their homes
• Contractors were behind it
• The public became educated and wanted this

4
The Goal

• Take a More Aggressive Approach at Promoting
  Residential Fire Sprinkler Systems by
• Providing education about the benefits of
  residential fire sprinklers
• Creating a public desire/demand for residential
  fire sprinklers
• Create a demand among homebuyers to have
  residential fire sprinkler systems
• Create a demand among homebuilders to offer
  residential fire sprinklers as a positive
  life-saving option
• Save Lives

5
What the Bureau Would Do

• Post Signs at Qualified Residences to Help Sell
  the Program and Educate the Public
• Educate Realtors
• Educate Contractors
• Educate the Media
• Provide Answers on our Website
• Answer Questions from the Public

6
The Signs
7
An Acronym
S prinklers A larms V irtually
E liminates R isk
L ife I nsurance F or E veryone
8
Education

• The following slides show information we will use
  to promote the Program
• To make things more personal, many of the slides
  have pictures of structure fires that happened in
  this area
• References are noted for each slide which are
  available upon request. Sources include
• United States Fire Administration (USFA)
• National Center for Injury Prevention and Control
  (CDC)
• National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
• National Fire Sprinkler Association (NFSA)
• Medford Fire Department
• Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM)
• Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition (HFSC)
• Oregon Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition
• Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC)
• National Institute of Standards and Technology
  (NIST)
• Residential Fire Safety Institute (RFSI)
• Kirks Fire Investigation, John D. DeHaan, 5th
  Edition

9
Is the Cost Really Worth It?

• Nobody wants to lose their loved ones..
• Nobody wants to lose their most valued
  possessions..
• In an unprotected residence, this likely could
  happen..
• In a Life Saver Fire Department Recognized
  Residence, this likely wont happen!

10
The Problem-Nationally

• 2005 Statistics1
• 396,000 home fires in the U.S.
• 3,055 lives lost not including firefighters
• 13,825 injured not including firefighters
• 7 billion dollars lost in residential fires
• 4 out of 5 Fire Deaths Occur in Homes2
• Primary Victims3
• Children
• 2,500 children aged 14 or younger were injured
• or killed in residential fires (2002)
• 1/2 under age 5 and 70 under age 10
• Elderly
• 2,300 adults age 65 or older were injured or
  killed
• in residential fires (2002)
• 80 between ages 65-84
• On average 100 Firefighters Die Annually,
• Most in Residential fires4
• Smoking is the leading cause of fire-related
  deaths1
• Cooking is the primary cause of residential fires1

Purdue Fire
11
The Problem-Medford

• 2000-2004 Statistics1
• 249 structure fires in residential occupancies
• 9 fatalities
• 31 civilian injuries
• 6 firefighter injuries
• 4,400,405 in residential property loss/damage
• Average Fire Death Rate (1995-2004)
• 12.0 per million (Oregon) 2
• 14.6 per million (U.S.)3
• 19.4 per million (Medford Rural)1
• In Oregon, One and Two Family Dwellings Account3
• For 86 of all residential fire deaths
• For 82 of the estimated residential fire dollar
  loss
• Two More Die in 2006 (Medford)1

Fairmount Fire
12
Medford Fire Fatalities
13
The Dilemma

• Inspections the Fire Code Allows
• Commercial Occupancies
• Exterior and Common Areas of Residential
  Buildings Containing 3 or More Units
• Exempt From Fire Code Inspections
• Private Residences, Including
• One and Two Family Dwellings
• Rental Houses, Apartments
• Adult Foster Homes (5 or fewer persons)

14
The Dilemma

• Residential Fires Deaths Commercial
  Fires Deaths
• 1996 428,000 4,080 150,500 140
• 1997 406,500 3,390 145,500 120
• 1998 381,500 3,250 136,000 170
• 1999 383,000 2,920 140,000 120
• 2000 379,500 3,445 126,000 90
• 20011 396,500 3,140 125,000 80
• 2002 401,000 2,695 118,000 80
• 20032 402,000 3,165 117,500 220
• 2004 410,500 3,225 115,500 80
• 2005 396,000 3,055 115,000 50
• 1 An additional 2,451 deaths as a result of
  9-11-01
• 2 Rhode Island nightclub and two nursing home
  fires

Sources U.S. Fire Administration
15
The Facts-Asphyxiation

• Fire Consumes Oxygen and Produces Toxic
  Gases1
• Oxygen concentrations below 10 will lead to
  unconsciousness and death
• Carbon monoxide (CO) is the cause of most fire
  deaths
• Hydrogen cyanide is produced from common
  polymers-coatings, paints, varnishes, foams.
  Aside from CO, this is probably the predominant
  toxic gas hazard
• Less air available for combustion in a fire
  increases production of CO

Geneva Fire
Sources NFPA 921 Kirks Fire Investigation
16
The Facts-Burns

• Burns
• Skin can be damaged when it reaches a temperature
  of 130o F
• Radiant Heat Flux (kW/m2)
• 1.4 Direct summer sun, potential sunburn in
  30 minutes or less
• 2.5 Common thermal radiation exposure while
  firefighting. This energy may cause burn
  injuries with prolonged exposure
• 6.4 Skin blisters after 18 seconds with 2nd
  degree burn injury
• 10.4 Skin blisters after 9 seconds with 2nd
  degree burn injury
• 16 Skin blisters after 5 seconds with 2nd
  degree burn injury
• 20 Heat flux on a residential family room
  floor at the beginning of flashover

Sources NFPA 921 Kirks Fire Investigation
17
Test Fire-Without Sprinklers

• Corner of living room near stairs
• Plastic wastebasket filled with newspapers
• Ignition source a match
• Water shielded from water spray by an end table
• Adjacent vinyl/polyurethane furnishings
• Wood paneling on walls
• Carpeting on floor
• Combustible ceiling tile
• Draperies on walls

Sources National Fire Sprinkler Association
18
Test Fire-Without Sprinklers
Sources National Fire Sprinkler Association
19

Test Fire-Without Sprinklers
1400 1200 1000 800 600 400 200
0
3 Below Ceiling
60 Above Floor
36 Above Floor
Temp.
0 60 120 180
240 300 360
420
Time (sec.)
Sources National Fire Sprinkler Association
20
Test Fire-Without Sprinklers

• A concentration of as little as 0.04 (400 parts
  per million) carbon monoxide in the air can be
  fatal.

PPM
Time (sec.)
Sources National Fire Sprinkler Association
21
Test Fire-With Sprinklers
140 120 100 80 60 40 20 0
3 Below Ceiling
60 Above Floor
36 Above Floor
Temp.

0 60
120 180
240
Time (sec.)
Sources National Fire Sprinkler Association
22
Test Fire-With Sprinklers
PPM
Time (sec.)
Sources National Fire Sprinkler Association
23
What About Smoke Alarms?

• Smoke Alarms (Detectors) Alone, are Not Enough
• While functioning smoke alarms can save lives,
• it has been estimated that up to 50 of alarms
  are removed, disabled or not powered
• Smoke alarms are missing in 2/3 of deadly
  residential fires1
• Recent studies show children may not wake up even
  with smoke alarms sounding in their rooms2
• From 2001-2004 there were 452 fatalities (391
  fatal residential structure fires) in the U.S. in
  residences with working smoke alarms.
• (37 died sleeping 29 died trying to escape)3
  
• Smoke detectors have a 10-year design life

Carpenter Hill Fire
24
The Facts-Flashover

• Residents Do Not Survive Flashover
• Caused when the fire spreads very rapidly when
  all combustible items in a room reach their
  ignition temperatures more or less
  simultaneously
• Flashover can occur in as little as 3-4 minutes1
• Window of escape time has been reduced form 17
  minutes in the 1970s to 3 minutes currently3
• Post-flashover fires triple the number of
  victims2
• Most victims in post-flashover fires are found
  remote from the room of origin2

Flashover
25
The Facts-Furnishings Fuel Loads

• Heat Release Rates (HRR) (Btu/sec)
• Small wastebasket 4-142
• TV set 114-275
• Cotton mattress 38-921
• Polyurethane mattress 768-2495 (271-2025)
• Cotton easy chair 275-351
• Polyurethane easy chair 1281-1888 (466-538)
• Polyurethane sofa 2960
• Armchair (modern) 332-711
• Recliner (synthetic padding/covering) 474-949
• Christmas tree, dry 474-617
• Pool of gasoline (2 quarts on concrete) 949
• Living room or bedroom fully involved 2846-9487

Sources NFPA 921 Kirks Fire Investigation
26
The Facts-Furnishings Fuel Loads
TV 114-275 Btu/sec 5-10 flame height
Wastebasket 4-142 Btu/sec 1-7 flame height
Polyurethane Mattress 768-2495 Btu/sec 11-23
flame height
Desk Chair 142-237 Btu/sec 7-9 flame height
Minimum 497.3 Btu/sec HRR required for flashover
in this typical bedroom
Sources NFPA 921 Kirks Fire Investigation
27
The Facts-Fire Smoke Spread Animation
Source NIST
28
The fire room and all contents are completely
destroyed. Heat damage extends throughout the
entire house, burning or melting all items within
5 feet of the ceiling. Smoke has blackened all
contents of the house. Windows and roof vent
holes must be boarded-up. All drywall will need
to be replaced and all contents replaced or
restored. Extensive water damage exists from
firefighting efforts. Average time of
displacement...6 months to a year.
The fire dept. arrives, assesses the situation
applies 250 gpm to fire areas. Windows are
broken and holes are cut in the roof to vent fire
gases and smoke.
Your Fire Scenario
Source Oregon Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition
29
Available Personnel Economics

• Serious Residential Fire w/o Fire Sprinklers

• Average Manpower for Extended Duration
• 15.5 personnel
• 60.1 man-hours
• Mutual aid required for
• other normal responses
• Overtime crews
• Overtime investigation

30
The Solution

gt
Survival

• Your Chances of Surviving
• a Fire Approach 1001 with
• A fire sprinkler system and
• Smoke alarms
• Added Benefits
• Much less property damage
• Valued possessions will most likely be spared
• You will not have to relocate for an extended
  period of time while your residence is being
  rebuilt

31
Fire damage is limited to the objects in or near
the initial fire. Heat damage is limited to the
fire room. Heavy smoke damage is limited to the
fire room. Water damage is limited to the
sprinkler flow of 15 gpm (approx. 150 gal total).
Average time of displacement from home...1-2
days.
The fire dept. arrives, assesses the situation
and limits water damage by shutting down the
water supply to the sprinkler system. The fire
department then assists with initial clean-up
operations.
Sprinkler System Fire Scenario
Source Oregon Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition
32
Available Personnel Economics

• Residential Fire with Fire Sprinklers

• Average Manpower
• 3 Personnel
• 6 Man-hours
• No overtime crews
• Units available for another response
• Possible short duration overtime Investigation

33
How Do Residential Fire Sprinkler Systems Work?

• The heat from the fire activates the head nearest
  the fire

• The sprinkler system controls the fire with
  water before the atmosphere becomes untenable

34
Types of Residential Fire Sprinkler Systems

• Conventional System
• Common underground supply, separate piping

35
Types of Residential Fire Sprinkler Systems

• Network/Multipurpose System
• Integrated into domestic plumbing

36
Are Residential Fire Sprinkler Systems Expensive
to Install?

• Less Than You Might Think
• 1.00-1.50 per square foot1
• 1-1 ½ of total building cost2
• About the price of upgrading carpet3
• May be many times less than landscape sprinklers

Holly Street Fire
37
Cost Breakdown Study

• Given
• 400,000 home (Average price for a 3,000 sq. ft.
  home)
• Cost to install sprinkler system3,000
• Cost Breakdown per Month
• 3,000 amortized over 30 years at 7.75 20.47
• Tax Savings (28 federal 5 state income taxes)
• From deduction of interest on the loan -
  6.10
• Insurance Savings (6 quotes--90-165 per year)
• Using middle quote (135 per year) - 11.33
• Total Expenditure per Month 3.04
• Conclusion1
• Basically, for the price of a Happy Meal or a
  Starbucks coffee, your family can be protected
  by a residential sprinkler system,
• Fred Benn, President of Advanced Automatic
  Sprinkler Company in Hayward, CA

38
???Do All the Heads Go Off?

• No.
• 90 of all fires that occur in homes are
  quickly controlled by a single sprinkler head1

Summit Fire
39
???What About the Water Damage?

• 93 of all fires that occur in homes are quickly
  controlled by a single sprinkler head flowing
  13-25 gallons per minute1
• Without fire sprinklers, the fire continues to
  grow exponentially. The fire department arrives
  5-10 minutes later and puts hundreds to
  thousands of gallons on the out-of- control fire
• Tests conducted by the Los Angeles Fire
  Department and the U.S. Fire Administration
  showed that damage caused by water in a
  sprinklered fire is substantially less than
  damage caused by a fire department hose streams
  in an identical unsprinklered fire2

W. Jackson Fire
40
???What about Accidental Discharge?

• Loss records of Factory Mutual Research show
  that the probability of a sprinkler discharging
  accidentally due to a manufacturing defect is
  only 1 in 16 million sprinklers per year in
  service1
• Fire sprinkler systems are under the same
  pressure as residential plumbing system but are
  tested at 2-3 times higher pressure during
  installation1
•  

Mariposa Fire
41
???Are Sprinkler Heads Unsightly?

• There are now a variety of residential sprinkler
  heads including concealed heads, which are
  hidden until they drop down upon activation.
  Also, all residential sprinklers can be factory
  painted to match ceiling and wall colors.
•  

Orange St. Fire
Concealed Head
42
???Is There a Lot of Maintenance?

• Virtually No Maintenance
• Monthly-Visually inspect all sprinklers to
  insure against obstruction of spray. Sprinklers
  should never be painted
• Monthly-Inspect all valves to ensure they are
  open
• Annually-Verify waterflow alarm activation
• Not required for multipurpose systems
•  
•  

Myers Court Fire
43
??? Are Newer Houses Inherently Safer?

• No
• Whether or not a house is new, the fact is, the
  contents are the fuel that drives the fire.
  Modern furniture presents a huge fuel load,
  loaded with materials such as polyurethane foam
  which burns like gasoline and gives off toxic
  gases.
• Drywall has some fire resistant features,
  however, modern truss and composite I-joist
  construction, when exposed to fire, can actually
  lead to structural failure faster than
  conventional lumber.
• Smoke detectors can be disabled

Siskiyou Fire
44
Case Studies

• Residential Fire Sprinklers
• Scottsdale, AZ (15 Year Study)1
• Over 50 of houses sprinklered
•  13 lives saved
•  Over 20 million in property loss prevented
•  Average fire loss was
• 2,166 in fire sprinklered residences
• 45,019 in non-fire sprinklered residences

Piccadilly Fire
45
Case Studies

• Residential Fire Sprinklers
• Prince Georges County, MD
• Ordinance Enacted in 1992
• Residential Sprinkler System Reported Fire
  Incidents 117
• Residential Sprinkler Activations 143
• Total Fire Loss 401,220.00
•  Potential Fire loss 38,230,000.00
•  Reported Lives Saved 154
•  Injuries Reported (All minor in nature) 7
•  

S. Ivy Fire
46
Benefits to the Homeowner

• Additional Life Assurance
• Home fire sprinklers are designed to ensure a
  tenable atmosphere for escape
• Chance of surviving fire approaches 100
• A residential fire sprinkler system is like
  having a firefighter 24/7 with an immediate
  response time 
• Reduces Property Damage-
• Controls fire before the destructive phase
• Precious items will be saved
• Insurance Savings
• Possibly 5-15

Court Street Fire
47
Benefits to Community

• Safer Community
• Less injuries and deaths
•  Less Property Damage
•  Less Risk to Firefighters
•  Saved
• Less overtime for suppression and investigation
  efforts
• Less apparatus required for extended durations
•  

Berrydale Fire
48
Source Oregon Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition
Residential Sprinklers the Choice is Yours!