paris, 31 january 2008 alan brinson contribution of sprinkler systems to fire safety
TRANSCRIPT
Paris, 31 January 2008
Alan Brinson
Contribution of Sprinkler Contribution of Sprinkler Systems to Fire SafetySystems to Fire Safety
How do Sprinklers Work?How do Sprinklers Work?
• Glass bulb contains a liquid with a vapour bubble• Liquid expands as the temperature rises,
compressing the vapour bubble• At a set temperature (usually 68˚C) the bubble has
gone and the bulb breaks, releasing the water seal
Sprinklers do not:Sprinklers do not:
• React to smoke from toast or a cigarette
• Open all at once (usually 1 or 2 sprinklers operate)
• Cause major water damage (system sprays less water than a single fire hose)
• Operate without reason (this is very rare) 1 in 1.6 million sprinklers for all reasons including end
user or contractor damage (FM Global in 1977)
1 in 16 million sprinklers due to a manufacturing error (FM Global in 1977)
Reliability of SprinklersReliability of Sprinklers
• Sprinklers release water when they get hot and control or extinguish fire
• Statistics show properly designed and maintained sprinkler systems control/extinguish 98% of fires
Swiss Cantonal Insurance Federation 100% in 2000
LPC 99% in 2000
Danish Institute of Fire Technology 98% in 2003
German Property Insurers 97.9% in 1971-92
APSAD of France 97% in 2000
Reliability of SprinklersReliability of Sprinklers
• In >60% of cases only 1 or 2 sprinklers operate to release much less water than a single fire hose
Swiss Cantonal Insurance Federation: 87% of fires controlled by 1-2 sprinklers in 2000
APSAD: 61% of fires controlled by 1-2 sprinklers in 2000 VdS: 50% of fires controlled by 1-2 sprinklers in 2000 LPC: 44% of fires controlled by 1-2 sprinklers in 2000
• Europe has never had a multiple loss of life in a building protected by a fire sprinkler system
• No fire-fighter has ever died in a sprinklered building (except 9/11)
How Sprinklers Save LivesHow Sprinklers Save Lives
Benefits of SprinklersBenefits of Sprinklersin Room of Originin Room of Origin
• Sprinklers sensitive to heat and respond quickly before conditions become life-threatening
• Prevent fire growth and so reduce evolution of toxic gases• Keep temperature at survivable level• Often extinguish fire• 2004 report for UK Government showed sprinklers usually
maintain tenable conditions in room of fire origin
=> Sprinklers offer the only hope to those who do => Sprinklers offer the only hope to those who do not leave the room where the fire startsnot leave the room where the fire starts
Sprinklers Aid EscapeSprinklers Aid Escape
• Prevent growth of fire and evolution of smoke
• People can then more easily follow escape routes
• Sprinkler system can send an alarm to fire brigade
• In a fire flammable vapours reach auto-ignition
• Ingress of oxygen => spontaneous combustion with fireball and shockwave
• Sprinklers cool vapours so they do not ignite when oxygen enters room
• Important contribution to safety of occupants and fire-fighters – specific aim of NFPA 13R and 13D
Sprinklers Prevent FlashoverSprinklers Prevent Flashover
Sprinklers Reduce Fire DamageSprinklers Reduce Fire Damage
• Respond before arrival of fire brigade
• Fire is still small and is not allowed to grow
• Less water is needed to deal with a small fire
• Average fire damage is reduced by over 85%
• Scottsdale (88% commercial buildings; 96% residential)
• Vancouver (92% residential)
• NFPA (42% residential; 67% manufacturing)
• NIST (32% in houses)
Warehouse Fires Extinguished Warehouse Fires Extinguished by Sprinklersby Sprinklers
Birmingham 2004
ICI Paints 15 Feb 20062 sprinklers put out fire
A Warehouse without SprinklersA Warehouse without Sprinklers
Matalan, Birmingham 2 March 2006
Proof that Sprinklers Save LivesProof that Sprinklers Save Lives• Scottsdale
Zero deaths in sprinklered buildings 1986-2006 (first death in 2007)
• Vancouver Zero deaths in sprinklered buildings from 1990
Fire death rate was worst, now best in Canada
• NFPA: 86% reduction overall; 78% residential (1986-1998); 100% in houses (2002-2005)
• NIST: 100% fire death reduction in houses
Scottsdale Sprinkler LegislationScottsdale Sprinkler Legislation
1974 All buildings higher than 3 storeys or larger than 700m2 must be sprinklered
1982 Ran residential sprinkler tests
1985 Approved ordnance requiring sprinklers in all new buildings from 1986
Scottsdale Sprinkler Ordinance Scottsdale Sprinkler Ordinance Design FreedomsDesign Freedoms
Increased hydrant spacing
Reduced water main sizes
No requirement for 360° access
Reduced street widths
Increased cul-de-sac lengths
=> Development density increased 4%
Costs to Install Sprinklers in Costs to Install Sprinklers in Houses in ScottsdaleHouses in Scottsdale
February 1986 186m2 house €8.50/m2
June 1989 Production home €5.87/m2
Custom home€6.62/m2
January 2001 Production home €4.38/m2
Custom home€5.20/m2
Sprinklers in all new housing, hospitals and care facilities
37% of all housing has sprinklers
Sprinklers Make Economic SenseSprinklers Make Economic Sense
• Allow architectural freedoms so buildings are more attractive and cost less to build
• Prevent loss of life and reduce injuries by 85%
• Reduce fire damage to property by over 85%
• Low maintenance costs through life of building
• NIST found an economic benefit
NIST ReportNIST ReportNational Institute of Standards and TechnologyNational Institute of Standards and Technology
NIST Cost-Benefit ReportNIST Cost-Benefit ReportAssumptionsAssumptions
• 100% reduction in house fire deaths (NFPA 2002-05)
• 57% fewer house fire injuries (NFPA 2002-05)
• 32% less house fire property damage (NFPA 2002-05)
• Value of a life $7.94 million (independent economists)
• Cost of an injury $172,000 (CPSC)
• 8% smaller insurance premium (Insurance company)
NIST Cost-Benefit ReportNIST Cost-Benefit ReportAssumptions continuedAssumptions continued
Low-cost systems combined with house plumbing:
€1,430 to protect a 310m2 house (€4.6/m2)
€1,310 to protect a 210m2 house (€6.2/m2)
€570 to protect a single-storey 109m2 house (€5.2/m2)
No maintenance costs – annual inspection by owner
NIST Cost-Benefit ReportNIST Cost-Benefit ReportResultsResults
• Clear economic benefit in all three houses (100%
confidence)
• Sensitivity analysis varied the input probabilities
and still found clear economic benefits
NIST Cost-Benefit ReportNIST Cost-Benefit ReportCommentsComments
• Key input variables (ranked by importance) are:
Value of a life ($7.9 million/€5.5 million)
Zero annual maintenance costs
8% reduction in home insurance premium
Low installation cost from combined system
• In 2004 the British Government found no economic case for fitting sprinklers in houses. Why?
NIST Cost-Benefit ReportNIST Cost-Benefit ReportComparison with UK Govt ReportComparison with UK Govt Report
Value of a life NIST €5.5 million; UK €1.7 million
Annual maintenance NIST €0; UK €67
Home insurance premium reduction NIST 8%; UK 0%
Installed cost NIST €570-€1,430; UK €2,280 + €640 water connection
Recent Developments in UKRecent Developments in UK
• Cost of a combined system €670 in a new house
• No extra water connection charge in a new house
• Annual maintenance for a combined system €0
• Benefits greater than costs
• Government will fit 3,000 houses each year for next five years to build up UK experience
More Comments on the EconomicsMore Comments on the Economics
• A standalone system without an alarm would not cost much more than a combined system because very little piping is saved by using other plumbing
• It would also not need regular maintenance• If British lives were valued a little higher or a small
property insurance discount were available, this standalone system would be cost effective in the UK
• Experience in the USA and New Zealand is that plumbers are not interested in sprinklers so even combined systems are fitted by sprinkler firms
Building Code Requirements in Building Code Requirements in Europe for Sprinklers in HomesEurope for Sprinklers in Homes
Sprinklers in High Rise Sprinklers in High Rise Residential BuildingsResidential Buildings
Sprinklers in HousingSprinklers in Housing• Many new low-rise apartment buildings in Norway
protected by residential sprinklers
• Campaign in Glasgow for sprinklers in new housing• Council will make it a condition of planning permission
• Backed by fire service, Scottish politicians and unions
• Angus County in Scotland to fit sprinklers in all new social housing from 2009
• Campaign in Welsh Assembly to obtain jurisdiction over fire safety to impose sprinklers• Overwhelming Welsh political support
SummarySummary
• Sprinklers have a superb record for saving life and
property
• Sprinklers are the only way to save someone who
stays in the room where the fire starts
• Most fire deaths occur in the home so to make a
difference we need to put sprinklers in our homes
• Sprinkler systems are cost effective in new homes
• Legislators are recognising the benefits of sprinklers
Thank you for your attention
Alan Brinson
www.eurosprinkler.org
+44 20 8877 2600