Focus on Fire Safety

U.S. Fire Loss Clock

Every…

23 seconds: A fire department responds to a fire.
49 seconds: One outside fire is reported.
66 seconds: One structure fire is reported.
87 seconds: One home structure fire is reported.
146 seconds: One vehicle fire is reported.
31 minutes: One civilian fire injury is reported.
2 hours 55 minutes: One civilian fire death occurs.

Source: Fire Loss in the United States During 2009, by Michael J. Karter, Jr., NFPA, Quincy, MA, 02169

Working with Local Officials

The Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition has put together a guide and video for local officials that dispels the many myths about fire sprinklers and shows the positive effect sprinklers can have on a community.
In addition, reports from communities with fire sprinkler ordinances showing real world impact are available, along with a report on the environmental impact of residential fire sprinklers.
Learn More About Working with Local Officials »

The Fire Protection Research Foundation’s (FPRF) new report, Residential Fire Sprinklers – Water Usage and Water Meter Performance Study, finds that the amount of water used in fighting fires in homes without fire sprinkler systems can be many times higher than the amount discharged by a fire sprinkler system with a 10-minute operation. In addition to saving lives and property, fire sprinklers have added environmental benefits, including water conservation and the potential to reduce water infrastructure demands in communities.

Source: National Fire Protection Association

Residential Fire Sprinklers Save Lives

In 2009, only 20% of reported fires occurred in one- and two-family homes but these fires caused 70% (2,107) of all civilian fire deaths. Homes also account for the largest share of civilian fire injuries and direct property damage.

Despite the fact that these figures represent improvement over the last 30 years, they continue to be appalling. Such losses are unacceptable.

The Building and Fire Research Laboratory at the National Institute of Standards and Technology has studied the impact of both smoke alarms and fire sprinklers in residential occupancies and estimates that:

When fire sprinklers alone are installed, the chances of dying in a fire are reduced by 69%, when compared to a home without sprinklers.
When smoke alarms alone are installed, a reduction in the death rate of 63% can be expected, when compared to a home without smoke alarms.
When both smoke alarms and fire sprinklers are present, the risk of dying in a fire is reduced by 82%, when compared to a home without either.

The Benefits of Residential Fire Sprinklers

While smoke alarms can alert residents to a home fire, they cannot extinguish a fire. Fire sprinkler systems can!

What are the benefits?

Safer Fire Service: The risk for firefighters decreases when residential fire sprinklers are in use because sprinklers reduce the intensity of the fire by dousing the flame earlier.
Fast Response: Modern residential fire sprinklers are designed to respond to fire faster than commercial or industrial sprinkler systems because they are more sensitive to heat.
Aesthetically Pleasing: Residential fire sprinklers are smaller and less conspicuous than commercial or industrial types. Color variations are available and somecan be installed flush with the ceiling.
Reliable: Fire sprinkler systems exceed a 95% “fail-safe” status in laboratory testing. Sprinklers individually activate only if there is a fire in which the heat escalates past the sprinkler’s trigger point.
Investment Protection: Fire sprinklers can prevent devastating home damage by extinguishing flames quickly. Sprinklers can limit the damage caused by smoke and fire and are less damaging than water damage caused by firefighting hose lines.
Simple Installation: Installing a fire sprinkler system in a home that is under construction or being remodeled requires minimal extra piping and labor and greatly increases the safety of the residents.
Low Water Requirement: Residential fire sprinklers can be connected to the domestic water supply and require less water than commercial and industrial systems.
Low Cost: Residential fire sprinklers cost about $1.61 per square foot. This cost is about the same as upgraded cabinets or carpet.
Lower Insurance: Installing a fire sprinkler system has the potential to lower insurance rates 5 to 15% by meeting code requirements.

It is the position of the U.S. Fire Administration that all citizens should be protected against death, injury, and property loss resulting from fire in their residence. All homes should be equipped with both smoke alarms and automatic fire sprinklers, and all families should have and practice an emergency escape plan. The USFA fully supports all efforts to reduce the tragic toll of fire losses in this nation by implementing these features. Only fire sprinklers can detect fire AND automatically control it—affording families the time to make a safe escape and protect valuables and property.

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