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Public invited to fire-prevention demonstration
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Published: October 9, 2009
The Mooresville Fire Department will intentionally light two fires in front of a live audience on Oct. 14 – a dramatic way to underscore the fire-prevention difference between homes with sprinkler systems and those without.
The public is invited to the 1:30 p.m. event at the Mooresville/Shepherds Fire Station on U.S. 21 at N.C. 115.
"Sometimes people just need to see it to believe it," said Fire Chief Wes Greene. "There's nothing like the heat and smoke of a real fire to help adults and children understand just how fast a home fire is. With our side-by-side comparison, we can show both the danger of fire and the value of having a fire sprinkler system installed."
Firefighters and fire sprinkler pipe fitters will build two structures for the demo. Each room contains common furnishings, window treatments and a working smoke alarm. Only one of the rooms will contain a fire sprinkler.
"By providing this unique live fire comparison, people not only gain an appreciation for fire power; they also realize what an incredible advantage it is to have a fire sprinkler system installed if fire breaks out," said Greene.
Following an emergency call, it takes 9-12 minutes, on average, for a fire department to arrive on the fire scene, Greene said. "By that time, a fire in an unsprinklered home will have spread, causing smoke and heat damage and threatening the lives of the residents."
Facts about homes with sprinkler systems:
· Fire sprinklers are supplied by household water – usually off the water main. Just like ordinary plumbing, sprinkler system piping is hidden behind walls and ceilings.
· The sprinklers are positioned along the piping and can be seen in ceilings or up high along certain walls.
· Sprinklers are activated only by the high temperature of a fire – typically between 135˚-165˚F.
· Burned toast or other smoke cannot set off a sprinkler; neither can a smoke alarm that activates.
· Sprinklers are designed to flow between 10-25 gallons of water per minute. That's about 10-15 times less water flow than fire department hoses, and under far less pressure.
· By operating while a fire is still small, a sprinkler controls or extinguishes a fire, slowing the spread of poisonous smoke and deadly heat.
· That fast and effective action gives family members more time to get out safely, saving lives.
· And, the sprinkler confines the fire damage so that surrounding rooms are protected, saving valuables.
Free information is available about home fire sprinklers from HFSC's Web site. Visit HomeFireSprinkler.org to learn more about this life-saving technology and to see video clips and animations that answer common questions. You can even read about real-life fires where sprinklers saved lives.
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