Local News
Sprinklers a necessity in new homes, officials say
Fire educators want devices added to single-family homes
Tuesday, December 18, 2007 — Fire safety educators are working on an educational push to inform residents about the upside of sprinkler systems in single-family homes.
The ultimate goal is for sprinklers to be required in new homes to meet building code.
Firefighters from all across the state spoke before the Building Code Council at a meeting in Raleigh Dec. 10 in support of a related proposal.
The request was for new homes 3,600 square feet and larger as well as homes of three or more floors to be coded for sprinklers. It was hoped this would be a starting point for expanded code requirements.
But fire safety advocates were dealt a blow in their efforts at that meeting when the council denied the request.
So fire safety advocates and state home builders remain at odds about such systems, basically pitting personal safety against construction costs.
Stanly County Fire Marshal Michael Rourk said the decision was not the first of its kind.
“This isn’t the first time that a proposal like this involving sprinklers has been shot down,” he said.
“But it goes back to the importance of prevention and safety like the recent tragedy where seven kids were killed at Ocean Isle.
“I understand the concern about cost in building a new home, but sprinkler systems can be put in for one to two percent of the cost of the home, so what more has to happen to get this legislation passed?”
Rourk believes residential sprinklers are essential to increase firefighters effeciency protecting life and property.
“Sprinkler systems are one of the best life saving tools a building can have if a fire occurs,” Rourk said.
“In the history of sprinkler systems, in the United States, with the exception of the World Trade Center on 9-11, there has never been a multiple life loss as a result of fire in a fully sprinkled building.
“That speaks volumes to how effective sprinkler systems are.”
An example Rourk gave to illustrate his point detailed an optimum preparedness scenario for traditional fire response.
“You can have a Class 1 fire department with a full engine capacity, that’s a driver and three to four firefighters, geared up in a running truck at the station waiting for a call and they cannot make a difference in the first three or four minutes of that fire,” he said.
“They have to get there first.
“A fire can double in size every minute it burns so a burning 4- by 3-foot couch in one minute can spread to about 16- by 9-feet, two minutes later it can be up to 256- by 81-feet. Sprinklers usually kick on in the first minute or two, so the fire suppression response is almost instant.”
A common misconception regarding sprinkler systems is that they’re activated collectively, that if one sprinkler head activates, they all do.
That, however is not the case. Because sprinkler heads are heat activated, only those heads nearest the fire will activate and flow water.
Most fires in a residential setting are controlled with one to two sprinkler heads.
“Other voiced concerns are the fear of water damage but residents need to realize that everything dries out, nothing un-burns,” Rourk said.
For more information on residential sprinkler systems contact the Office of the State Fire Marshal, or the Stanly County Fire Marshal’s Office.
Or go online to http://www.nfsa.org where The Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition has launched a new interactive Web site called SprinklerSmarts.
Jay Almond can be contacted by email at snaponline21@yahoo.com.
- Local News
-
-
Fair opens tonight
Rides, games, music and more hit the Stanly County Fairgrounds tonight in the form of the 76th annual Stanly County Fair, sponsored by American Legion Post 76. This year, the rides will be put on by J&J Amusements.
-
Even though deadline has passed, SCS still accepts donations
With donations still coming in, the school tools campaign has been deemed a success according to Pokie Noland, Stanly County Schools director of student services.
-
Albemarle Police Report
Albemarle Police Department reports the following activity:
• Mitchell Jermaine White, 22, was arrested on a charge of possession of Sch. II on Lundix Street at Washington Lane, Aug. 27. -
Stanly County Sheriff’s Report
Stanly County Sheriff’s Office reports the following activity:
-
Pedestrians, motorists urged to be cautious at Pfeiffer
A Pfeiffer University student had a brush with death when crossing the road on Wednesday.
According to Misenheimer Police Chief Tracey Wyrick, the student assumed that an approaching vehicle would stop as a courtesy. This misunderstanding led to the student nearly being struck. -
West teacher receives state business award
A local teacher has won one of the highest education awards in the state.
John Thompson, a business education teacher at West Stanly High School (WSHS), recently received the Orus B. Sutton Award, which is presented to the Outstanding Business and Information Technology Teacher of the Year in North Carolina. -
Committee discusses renovations to school facilities
Many of the local schools will be getting a makeover this school year. In its meeting last week, the Stanly County Board of Education Facilities Committee discussed specific renovations to the schools.
-
Stanly County Sheriff’s Report
Stanly County Sheriff’s Report announces the following activity:
• Robert M. Burroughs, Sutton Springs Road, Charlotte, reported damage to property, Aug. 20. -
Correspondent no longer with TV station
UNC-TV Senior Legislative Correspondent Eszter Vajda is no longer employed at the state’s public television network as of Aug. 18, according to Gail Zimmermann, associate general manager of the station.
- Albemarle Police Report
- More Local News Headlines
-
