Residential Fire Sprinkler Systems. Goal Provide entry level firefighters with an understanding of residential fire sprinkler system Provide entry level.

Residential Fire Sprinkler Systems

Goal

• Provide entry level firefighters with an understanding of residential fire sprinkler system

• Provide entry level firefighters with an understanding of limitations of systems and how to respond when activated

• Discuss the advantages of home fire sprinklers in modern construction

• Develop a general understanding of public education related to home sprinklers

Modern Building Code

• The State of Michigan utilize the Michigan Residential Code 2009 edition.

• The State of Michigan removed mandatory requirements for home sprinklers, although most multi-family residences will require residential sprinkler protection

• National code documents require sprinkler protection and is debated heavily in many states with adoption

Why Home Sprinklers

• United States fire death is one of the highest for an industrialized nation

• Firefighter initiatives• Changes in Home Construction (light weight

construction, changing home environment)• Firefighter deaths• Communities such as Scottsdale and others in

the east coast

New vs Conventional Home Fires

Truss Video

What is the role of the Firefighter

• Advocate• Knowledge on installation• Ability to respond to activated systems• Know when systems are in-service• Describe why systems are needed

Not all Systems are Created Alike

• Commercial systems vs residential systems• Different National Fire Protection Association

(NFPA) installation standards• Life Safety vs property conservation

How does a sprinkler Work

Home Fire Sprinkler Systems

• Can be standalone or combination system with Home plumbing system

• Based on two sprinkler design (low flow)• Costs average $1.60 per square foot based on

recent studies• Sprinklers only installed in living spaces• Still has non protected spaces (floor and attic)

as well as small areas (small closets and bathrooms)

Riser is simple

Different sprinkler Styles

Design

• Piping and sprinkler layout per NFPA 13d• Pipe size is based on available pressure, height

of house and sprinkler type used• Most sprinklers discharge at a minimum psi of

7.0 and can discharge between 15-40 gallons per minute

• Design can vary based on sprinkler and construction type

Areas without municipal water

• Utilization of larger well or tank and pump system

• Water supply is for ten minutes of the design

Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition

Resources

• Installation costs by NFPA research foundation

Multi-Use Piping Option

Multi-Family Sprinkler Systems

• 4 Sprinkler Design• Based on NFPA 13R• Typically has a riser assembly and notification

device with flow switch• Sprinklers still omitted from non-living areas• Installed up to 4 stories in height and some

pedestal buildings

Multi-Family Systems

• Fire alarm supervision of riser assembly

• Spare sprinklers• Gauge• Typically PCVC piping

Design

• Per NFPA 13R• Sprinklers are typically

installed based on listing from 100 square feet up to 400 square feet per sprinkler

• Standalone riser• Typically includes a back

flow preventor

• FDC can be a one 2.5” connection

• Pipe size is based on height of structure, amount of friction loss and water supply available

Response

• Be aware of system limitations

• No sprinkler protection on attic and combustible space fires

Active Fire vs Activation

• What role does the responding firefighter have when responding to an active fire in a building equipped with residential sprinklers?

• A fire alarm is activated and the first unit arrives to find a broken sprinkler due to human error, what does the responding crew do?

Support of FDC

• System pressures may vary

• Pre-incident plan should identify FDC location

• What is operating pressure of the fire pump operator

Resources

• Built for Life• NFPA Fire Sprinkler Initiative• Michigan Fire Sprinkler Coalition

What can you do

• Encourage your department to conduct a side by side burn for your community

• Work with new developers for voluntary installation

• Include resources on your web-page• Post video links on facebook or twitter• Stay educated• Sprinkler your home!