Residential fire sprinkler systems

[twoguns?]

SMS on the new construction vs old I believe it was someone here who posted this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDNPhq5ggoE

Actually thats a ..Room Furnishings... test

UL listings are Very specific, the only thing they were looking at was the furnishings , Not the structure

But WOW did you see that smoke developed in the new furnishings?

It would depend ,somewhat on how your sprinkler was activated...by heat setting off each head?
by smoke detection that shut down equipment and services( gas and electric? )

In a commercial setting a 2,000 cfm or (5 ton unit) Requires a smoke detector in the duct system ,because that amount of air movement could feed or even carry the fire to different areas (through the return)

I think Most people would agree that Anything you can do to impede or extinguish a fire would certainly be a benefit. Be it training , properly placed smoke detectors/extinguishers, or a sprinkler system.

Unfortunatly.. cost would probably be a Great determinator

"As for the personal tragedies...they do pull at the heart strings. I educate my kids, even the 7 year old, and we have fire drills....including crazy dad advancing down the hallway shaking an unfurled bed sheet saying "I am a fire. What do you do?". Warms the heart to watch all three of them team up, open a bedroom, window, help each other out, and head to the mailbox.

I'd like to learn more...I'm not completely opposed to the idea. I just don't want another mandate."


And THIS

 

[SMS]

This white paper seems to blow my misconception out of the water and indicate that new furnishings AND new construction materials/methods leads to increased fire danger. Damn.

http://www.ul.com/global/documents/... Fire Dynamics and Its Implications_10-12.pdf

One sample:

Four examples of new construction
materials were examined; wall linings,
structural components, windows and
interior doors. The change in wall linings
now allows for more content fires to
become structure fires by penetrating
the wall lining and involving the void
spaces. This change allows for faster
fire propagation and shorter times
to collapse.

 

[Oklahomabassin]

Properly placed working smoke detectors save lives. Residential smoke detectors save property.

Do we really need studies to examine this? Let us use our heads on this and think. If we are sleeping and there is a fire, and no smoke detectors and no sprinkler system. What happens? You likely die of smoke inhalation before the fire actually gets to you. How do we know this? Because more often than not with a fire suppressed by a responding fire department, the bodies are recovered without burns. Now there are several variables that can have different results. Smoking in bed can lead to a fire in your immediate area and then we find a charred body if a smoke detector didn't wake them up.

With residential sprinkler system: I will start with a question. If made aware of a fire (smoke detector sounding) how much time will it take you to evacuate quickly? (It is recommended to practice fire drills in the home, especially with kids) It won't take more than a minute or minute and a half if you seriously concentrate on getting OUT! Without a smoke detector, even with a sprinkler system, there will still be toxic fumes and smoke. Granted most homes with sprinkler systems are new construction and have wired in smoke detectors, preventing the old missing/old batteries that is a common theme. The lives saved can be attributed to being made aware of the fire, not because of extinguishing.

Commercial sprinkler systems are more likely to save lives. Often in large expansive buildings, large numbers of people and minimal means of egress. Couple that with panic and mass chaos and it is a recipe for disaster. I challenge people to look for emergency exits and that could hinder your escape. Casinos, for example, with all the electronics and smoking could be a fire hazard. Emergency exits are identified with a lit red "EXIT", but in a casino with lights everywhere flashing, coupled with smoke that rises, will that sign stand out up there in the smoke? Lets look at malls, your escape time will likely be several minutes because even a track star can't run through a crowd of people. Fire sprinkler systems in a commercial setting will save lives.

Folks if you aren't sure if your smoke alarms work, test them! If you aren't sure if they are in the best locations, call the non emergency number for your responding fire department and ask for assistance. Talk over the escape plans and a meeting point for your household in the event of a fire and PRACTICE it. Practice it in the day, practice it in the night. Check those smoke detectors and practice the escape in the event of a fire!






Why are you still reading? Go check those detectors!

 

[tRidiot]

Yeah... that old asbestos stuff maybe was pretty good at preventing fires? I dunno... lots of factors. Safety and prevention is key.

 

[Fyrtwuck]

Early detection is always a plus. Smoke inhalation kills more victims than the fire.

Residential systems are an advantage especially for the more rural areas where there are no water lines or hydrants. Tie the system together with a detection and alarm system and you can be notified of trouble and activation. If you are concerned about water damage, the system can be designed with outside shut off.

Those of you that live in these areas are aware of the insurance rates. The first questions that are asked are "How far away is the closest fire station? Are they paid or volunteer? Are there any hydrants in your area".

It doesn't take much heat to cause damage.

Normal body temperature. 98.6F
Boil water. 212F
Burn paper. 451F.

Detection and early suppression are high priority.

 

[Powerman620]

The thing I am courious about is water pressure and capacity for a rural sprinkler system. It will take a large tank if on well water to supply water to the system to maintain its flow. City water or a rural water can prolly handle a head or two and knock fire down to give you more time.

 

[Fyrtwuck]

The thing I am courious about is water pressure and capacity for a rural sprinkler system. It will take a large tank if on well water to supply water to the system to maintain its flow. City water or a rural water can prolly handle a head or two and knock fire down to give you more time.

It would depend on the flow rate of the particular head activated. The ones I've seen are fed by 1" lines leading to the heads.

When heat activates a sprinkler head, only the one that was activated by heat dispenses water. It's not like the movies where a head is activated and the whole building is flooded in minutes. Typically (depending on room size) one room is covered by one head. Usually approx 100 square feet per head.

 

[Oklahomabassin]

Lets not forget steam conversion in aiding in fire suppression. It is really surprising to rookie firemen going through the live burn training how little of water can really knock back a fire that is already crawling across the ceiling. If applied correctly minimal amount of water is needed to extinguish a fire.

Like Firetruck said in a post above me, the sprinkler systems are designed to only flow from the heads activated by the heat from the fire.

 

[10Seconds]

Im at work so cant respond to everything but that site that states new construction would burn faster is just absurd. Modern building codes are much more stringent, and the fireblocking we put in now and materials we use is specifically designed to prevent the spread of fires. New home vs 40 yr old home, the new one wins: frame fireblocks, insulation wont burn, firerated drywall, and maybe doors depending on location, more likely to have comp vs wood shingles, etc.

Oklahomabassin hits the nail on the head - the key is detection and the time it takes you to get out.

 

[Powerman620]

Lets not forget steam conversion in aiding in fire suppression. It is really surprising to rookie firemen going through the live burn training how little of water can really knock back a fire that is already crawling across the ceiling. If applied correctly minimal amount of water is needed to extinguish a fire.

Like Firetruck said in a post above me, the sprinkler systems are designed to only flow from the heads activated by the heat from the fire.

I is amazing what a short bast of water bouncing pff of a ceiling or wall will do to a fire.