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In 2009, only 20 percent of reported fires occurred in single-family homes or duplexes, but these fires caused 70 percent (2,107) of all fire deaths. Home fires also account for the largest share of injuries and direct property damage.
These figures are an improvement over the last 30 years, but such losses are unacceptable.
The Building and Fire Research Laboratory at the National Institute of Standards and Technology has studied the impact of smoke alarms and fire sprinklers in homes.
The laboratory's research has found that smoke alarms cut the chance of death by 63 percent, sprinklers cut chances of death by 69 percent, and the combined use of smoke alarms and sprinklers cut the risk of dying in a fire by 82 percent.
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 decrease. 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 some can be installed flush with the ceiling.
Reliable: Fire sprinkler systems exceed a 95 percent “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.
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 percent by meeting code requirements.
The U.S. Fire Administration wants all residents to be protected against death, injury, and property loss resulting from fire in their residence.
The agency's policy is that all homes should be equipped with smoke alarms and automatic fire sprinklers. The agency also recommends that all families should have and practice an emergency escape plan.
Only fire sprinklers can detect fire and automatically control it, affording residents the time needed to make a safe escape and protect valuables and property.
These figures are an improvement over the last 30 years, but such losses are unacceptable.
The Building and Fire Research Laboratory at the National Institute of Standards and Technology has studied the impact of smoke alarms and fire sprinklers in homes.
The laboratory's research has found that smoke alarms cut the chance of death by 63 percent, sprinklers cut chances of death by 69 percent, and the combined use of smoke alarms and sprinklers cut the risk of dying in a fire by 82 percent.
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 decrease. 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 some can be installed flush with the ceiling.
Reliable: Fire sprinkler systems exceed a 95 percent “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.
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 percent by meeting code requirements.
The U.S. Fire Administration wants all residents to be protected against death, injury, and property loss resulting from fire in their residence.
The agency's policy is that all homes should be equipped with smoke alarms and automatic fire sprinklers. The agency also recommends that all families should have and practice an emergency escape plan.
Only fire sprinklers can detect fire and automatically control it, affording residents the time needed to make a safe escape and protect valuables and property.
