new technology for fire and burn safety david j. barillo, md, facs medical unversity of south...
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NEW TECHNOLOGY FOR FIRE AND BURN SAFETY
DAVID J. BARILLO, MD, FACS
MEDICAL UNVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA
CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA
HOUSE FIRES
REF: NFPA FIRE PROTECTION HANDBOOK
REF: Barillo & Goode JBCR 1996:71-6
REF: Barillo & Goode JBCR 1996:71-6
SMOKE DETECTORS
• KNOWING THAT THE HOUSE IS ON FIRE IS NOT HELPFUL TO PEOPLE THAT CANNOT ESCAPE
• UP TO 25% DO NOT ALARM IN PRESENCE OF SMOKE
• ‘MILLIONS’ OF SMOKE DETECTORS ARE OVER 10 YRS OLD
• SMOKE DETECTORS DO NOT DETECT CARBON MONOXIDE
• SMOKE DETECTORS ARE THE LEAST USEFUL TO THE PEOPLE WHO NEED THEM THE MOST
REF: NFPA JOURNAL 9/10 1997
NEW TECHNOLOGY
• CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS
• RESIDENTIAL SPRINKLERS
(used IN ADDITION to smoke detectors)
THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A
MULTIPLE (=>3) LOSS OF LIFE
IN A FULLY
SPRINKLERED
BUILDING !
RESIDENTIAL SPRINKLERS
• Expanded role from property protection to life safety
• Development funded by USFA, 1976
• Fast response
• Different pattern (1 head per room)
• Covers 400 square feet
RESIDENTIAL SPRINKLERS
• San Clemente CA (1980) (prop 13): all new residential construction
• Orange and Los Angeles Counties (residences-4 million people in 1993)
• Greenburgh, NY (1982): all new construction
• Prince George County, MD (1992): all new construction
• Florida (1983): all public lodging and time share bldgs 3 stories or higher, all existing structures by 1988
• 1980s: Atlanta GA, Connecticut, Mass: require retroactive sprinkler installation in existing high rise residential buildings
• Hotel and Motel Fire Safety Act 1990
• Scottsdale, AZ: 1985
• Federal Fire Safety Act- all Fed assisted high rise residences over 3 stories
• ADA: areas of rescue assistance
Required by law:
RESIDENTIAL SPRINKLERS
• ISO recommendds 15% insurance reduction
• Alaska (1981): 2% tax exemption for structures with fire protection systems
• 2 –20% reduction from State Farm and Allstate for installing sprinklers,
deadbolts, smoke detectors and central monitoring
RESIDENTIAL SPRINKLERS
• Operation Life Safety (IAFC) tracks residential sprinkler activations• 1983 – 1995: 551 activations, 35% kitchen, 15% bedroom Nearly all were one head activation
• There has not been a single fire fatality in residences equipped with sprinklers in Napa, CA, or Cobb Co, GA since inception of these programs
• There has been no fire fatality in any sprinklered building in PG County
• Scottsdale: 52 lives saved by sprinklers since 1985
RESIDENTIAL SPRINKLERS• If one goes off, they all go off : not true
• They cause water damage:
• They are expensive: typical new installation costs are $0.58 - $1.25 per square foot. THIS IS USUALLY CHEAPER THAN THE COST OF CARPET !
• They go off accidentally: FM experience is 1 failure in – 1 to 16 million sprinkler/years
onset time flow time flow rate total flow Sprinklers immediate 2 – 8 min 30 GPM 240 GALFirefighters who knows ? 6 – 8 min 300 GPM 3200 GAL
RESIDENTIAL SPRINKLERS
• Should comply with NFPA 13D
• Should be designed and installed by professional sprinkler contractors
• House main water feed optimally should be 1.5 inch pipe
• Storage tank and pump with at least 10 minute flow capacity
• Can share common pipe with domestic water system
DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
RESIDENTIAL SPRINKLERS
• Be realistic
• Build your case
• Work out the technical details
• Know when to back off
• Sprinkler your own home
• Keep up the public education
PROMOTING A SPRINKLER ORDINANCE IN YOUR COMMUNITY
REF: NFPA JOURNAL MARCH/APRIL 1998
RESIDENTIAL SPRINKLERS
• National Fire Protection Association
• American Fire Sprinklers Association
• National Fire Sprinklers Association
• USFA
RESOURCES
IT SAYS
PREVENTION !!