Send your letters to jake.odonnell@patch.com.
(Editor's note: The following is a letter to the editor submitted to Salem NH Patch. If you'd like to see your letter published here, submit it to Local Editor Jake O'Donnell at jake.odonnell@patch.com.)
On March 13, 2012 the voters will be asked to consider four warrant articles each affecting the way that the Town of Salem adopts and enforces nationally recognized building and fire codes. The following is information explaining the benefits to our residents and community by maintaining modern, up-to-date codes in the new homes we build.
In 2009, only 20 percent of reported fires occurred in one- and two-family homes, but these fires caused 70 percent (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.
Two fires which have occurred in New Hampshire within the past 45 days illustrating both the need and benefit of residential fire sprinklers.
January 28, 2012, Laconia, N.H. “ Sprinklers Saved life of Laconia man smoking while on Oxygen”
January 31, 2012 Portsmouth, N.H. “Port City fire leaves woman dead, neighbor injured”
Two long term studies show the effectiveness of residential fire sprinklers.
Prince Georges County, Maryland: 15-year study 1992-2007: 89 percent of all fire deaths occurred in residential dwellings, 101 fire deaths and 328 injuries in unprotected single family homes, zero fire deaths in homes with sprinklers.
Prince Georges County, Maryland: 15-year study 1992-2007: 89 percent of all fire deaths occurred in residential dwellings, 101 fire deaths and 328 injuries in unprotected single family homes, zero fire deaths in homes with sprinklers.
Bucks County, Pennsylvania: 22-year study 1988-2010: 88 percent of all fire deaths occurred in residential dwellings 90, fire deaths in unprotected single family homes, zero fire deaths inhomes with sprinklers.
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:
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:
1. When fire sprinklers alone are installed, the chances of dying in a fire are reduced by 69 percent, when compared to a home without sprinklers.
2. When smoke alarms alone are installed, a reduction in the death rate of 63 percent can be expected, when compared to a home without smoke alarms.
3. When both smoke alarms and fire sprinklers are present, the risk of dying in a fire is reducedby 82 percent, 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 sprinklersystems 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. Modern building materials although structurally strong will fail in as little as 10 minutes.
This creates asignificant hazard for our firefighters. Taking into account the ideal response time to a fire is four minutes, and factor in the notification time of the occupant of two to three minutes. Suppression personnel are arriving on scene with an average of three to four minutes or less of time before potential collapse!
• Fast Response: Modern residential fire sprinklers are designed to respond to the fire faster than commercial or industrial sprinkler systems because they are most 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 thes prinkler'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 $1.95 per square foot. The cost is about thesame as upgraded cabinets or carpet. Average monthly cost for a $300,000 home with a 30-year mortgage is $20 per month built into a $1,350 monthly principle and interest payment or 1.4 percent of the overall payment.
• Lower Insurance: Installing a fire sprinkler system has the potential to lower insurance rates 5 to 15 percent by meeting code requirements.
Please contact the Salem Fire Prevention Bureau with any questions or concerns.
Yours in Fire Safety,
Jeffrey S. Emanuelson, CFI
Fire Marshal
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