Posted: Aug 25, 2014 2:17 PM PDTUpdated: Aug 25, 2014 4:00 PM PDT
ST. PAUL, Minn. (KMSP) -
Firefighters in St. Paul say a recent fire at a nursing home should dispel rumors perpetuated by Hollywood movies that fire sprinkler systems always douse a whole building
when they engage.
when they engage.
Early Monday morning, firefighters were called out to 512 Humboldt Avenue after alarms began to sound. Nursing home staff found a light fixture in one of the bathrooms had caught fire at 2:20 a.m. -- but a single fire sprinkler saved them thousands of dollars in damage.
Best of all, none of the residents were ever aware of the ordeal and were able to sleep through the night undisturbed. Firefighters say the incident is proof that they were well-protected by the sprinkler system, which was installed only a year and a half ago. Officials emphasized that only one sprinkler needed to extinguish the fire. In fact, that's usually the case because only the fire sprinklers heated by the flames actually engage.
Even so, films ranging from the 1995 cult classic "Hackers" to modern Hollywood blockbusters like "The Incredibles" have featured scenes where fire sprinklers engage and soak everyone inside. Usually, the gag is a laugh grab -- butsafety advocates say the result is no laughing matter. They argue that those scenes create a false perception that all occupants and belongings would be drenched, which makes homeowners opt out.
Meanwhile, those in favor of passing laws to ensure that new construction projects include fire sprinkler systems say homes are where sprinkler systems are most needed. The Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition estimates that only 2 to 4 percent of residential properties had them in 2010 even though a federal report called for increased sprinkler protection in homes decades ago. The CDC estimated that 85 percent of all fire deaths occurred in homes based ondata from 2009.
.Even so, films ranging from the 1995 cult classic "Hackers" to modern Hollywood blockbusters like "The Incredibles" have featured scenes where fire sprinklers engage and soak everyone inside. Usually, the gag is a laugh grab -- butsafety advocates say the result is no laughing matter. They argue that those scenes create a false perception that all occupants and belongings would be drenched, which makes homeowners
opt out.Meanwhile, those in favor of passing laws to ensure that new construction
projects include fire sprinkler systems say homes are where sprinkler systems are most needed. The Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition estimates that only 2 to 4 percent of residential properties had them in 2010 even though a federal report called for increased sprinkler protection in homes decades ago. The CDC estimated that 85 percent of all fire deaths occurred in homes based ondata from 2009.
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