NEW TECHNOLOGY FOR FIRE AND BURN SAFETY

DAVID J. BARILLO, MD, FACS

MEDICAL UNVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA

CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA

HOUSE FIRES

REF: NFPA FIRE PROTECTION HANDBOOK

REF: Barillo & Goode JBCR 1996:71-6

REF: Barillo & Goode JBCR 1996:71-6

SMOKE DETECTORS

• KNOWING THAT THE HOUSE IS ON FIRE IS NOT HELPFUL TO PEOPLE THAT CANNOT ESCAPE

• UP TO 25% DO NOT ALARM IN PRESENCE OF SMOKE

• ‘MILLIONS’ OF SMOKE DETECTORS ARE OVER 10 YRS OLD

• SMOKE DETECTORS DO NOT DETECT CARBON MONOXIDE

• SMOKE DETECTORS ARE THE LEAST USEFUL TO THE PEOPLE WHO NEED THEM THE MOST

REF: NFPA JOURNAL 9/10 1997

NEW TECHNOLOGY

• CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS

• RESIDENTIAL SPRINKLERS

(used IN ADDITION to smoke detectors)

THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A

MULTIPLE (=>3) LOSS OF LIFE

IN A FULLY

SPRINKLERED

BUILDING !

RESIDENTIAL SPRINKLERS

• Expanded role from property protection to life safety

• Development funded by USFA, 1976

• Fast response

• Different pattern (1 head per room)

• Covers 400 square feet

RESIDENTIAL SPRINKLERS

• San Clemente CA (1980) (prop 13): all new residential construction

• Orange and Los Angeles Counties (residences-4 million people in 1993)

• Greenburgh, NY (1982): all new construction

• Prince George County, MD (1992): all new construction

• Florida (1983): all public lodging and time share bldgs 3 stories or higher, all existing structures by 1988

• 1980s: Atlanta GA, Connecticut, Mass: require retroactive sprinkler installation in existing high rise residential buildings

• Hotel and Motel Fire Safety Act 1990

• Scottsdale, AZ: 1985

• Federal Fire Safety Act- all Fed assisted high rise residences over 3 stories

• ADA: areas of rescue assistance

Required by law:

RESIDENTIAL SPRINKLERS

• ISO recommendds 15% insurance reduction

• Alaska (1981): 2% tax exemption for structures with fire protection systems

• 2 –20% reduction from State Farm and Allstate for installing sprinklers,

deadbolts, smoke detectors and central monitoring

RESIDENTIAL SPRINKLERS

• Operation Life Safety (IAFC) tracks residential sprinkler activations• 1983 – 1995: 551 activations, 35% kitchen, 15% bedroom Nearly all were one head activation

• There has not been a single fire fatality in residences equipped with sprinklers in Napa, CA, or Cobb Co, GA since inception of these programs

• There has been no fire fatality in any sprinklered building in PG County

• Scottsdale: 52 lives saved by sprinklers since 1985

RESIDENTIAL SPRINKLERS• If one goes off, they all go off : not true

• They cause water damage:

• They are expensive: typical new installation costs are $0.58 - $1.25 per square foot. THIS IS USUALLY CHEAPER THAN THE COST OF CARPET !

• They go off accidentally: FM experience is 1 failure in – 1 to 16 million sprinkler/years

onset time flow time flow rate total flow Sprinklers immediate 2 – 8 min 30 GPM 240 GALFirefighters who knows ? 6 – 8 min 300 GPM 3200 GAL

RESIDENTIAL SPRINKLERS

• Should comply with NFPA 13D

• Should be designed and installed by professional sprinkler contractors

• House main water feed optimally should be 1.5 inch pipe

• Storage tank and pump with at least 10 minute flow capacity

• Can share common pipe with domestic water system

DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS

RESIDENTIAL SPRINKLERS

• Be realistic

• Build your case

• Work out the technical details

• Know when to back off

• Sprinkler your own home

• Keep up the public education

PROMOTING A SPRINKLER ORDINANCE IN YOUR COMMUNITY

REF: NFPA JOURNAL MARCH/APRIL 1998

RESIDENTIAL SPRINKLERS

• National Fire Protection Association

• American Fire Sprinklers Association

• National Fire Sprinklers Association

• USFA

RESOURCES

IT SAYS

PREVENTION !!