The Pitt Meadows Story

Transcription

1 The Pitt Meadows Story RESPONSIBLE

2 The two of us are not clones We are not spawned from the same pond on the fire sprinkler issue Our backgrounds are very different Vision and Commitment Began in the early 1990 s Broad corporate decision with great support Many factors, many components, many issues Planning for the future (long term) Buy-in from stakeholders

3 Then and Now

4 Impact over 20+ years

5 The Crucial Recognition Fire Sprinklers are an economical and highly effective component of modern and comprehensive community fire protection. They are an integral piece in our community and it is a no brainer to support. Reality check What has the use of fire sprinklers meant? We started with a small specific vision to minimize the need for extensive fire service costs as the community grew. Now, the validations are far more extensive

6 What s in it for. It s about the contents Fires usually involve home contents at the start; rarely is it a structural component. These contents are mostly synthetic materials which burn very hot, very fast and very toxic. The window of opportunity for occupant escape is now MUCH shorter than the past.

7 Piece of mind For the Home Owner? Personal and family safety especially those challenged with self-preservation Protection of valuables Emerging trend of insurance savings Protection of animal companions

8 The Home Owner trade-off Sprinkler heads are visually apparent and costs do exist; but For the same cost of a lawn sprinkler system or a granite kitchen counter-top,..

9 For Firefighters? Reduced exposure to superheated atmospheres Reduced exposure to carcinogens and concern for presumptive diseases in the long-term Addresses the new fire model which burns much faster and hotter, and is more toxic Improves window of time to act The Firefighter trade-off Sprinklers have minimized department growth, and have made the job a bit less exciting; but Sprinklers improve firefighter safety and health and help them perform their jobs.

10 The Firefighter trade-off vs How can one possibly argue this intelligently? For the City? Allows for growth spread without accelerated costs related to firefighting resources Reduced general tax-payer impact Pride in being a very safe community Big picture benefits, including environment Allows limited city funds to be stretched

11 Benchmark Community BUILT FOR LIFE Fire Department The City trade-off City can control the complex and costly fiscal spider web associated with a growing fire service; but It is not the answer for all the things our fire service does

12 For BUILDERS? Density bonusing Higher lot coverage allowances Conventional construction on small lots Proud to build very safe homes for families Relaxes some FD expectations (eg. access) Facilitates community growth spread while minimizing additional fire service costs

13 The Builder trade-off Does not result in net economic benefit for builder; but Does not create hardship either New Hazards same solution Buildings Changes in construction materials and design Biggest fire issue is contents not structure

14 New Hazards same solution Development Tighter in-fill, increased exposures Less time now to intervene New Hazards same solution Security Personal protection is a very significant trend, but..

15 New Hazards same solution Criminal Activity Our External Challenges Cost concerns Technical misunderstandings Code misunderstandings Insurance misunderstandings HOLLYWOOD

16 Our Internal Challenges Bylaw wording Backflow devices Renovation policy Staff training Political football FD resistance Public information Planning issues What about Single Family Dwellings? Experience tells all Tale of Two Townhomes: Both locations close to the firehall Both started in a vehicle Damage to one was catastrophic; the other was minor Only one had a fire sprinkler

17 FH #2 #1 Townhome #1 Sept 2015

18 Townhome #2 Nov 2015

19 Impact of Fire Survival An approximately 35 year old female passed out in her bed while a smoldering cigarette started a fire in her bathroom garbage can. 911 was called by passers-bye. Fire crews arrived, forced entry and found the fire extinguished with the woman sound asleep in her nearby bed. Crews shut down the sprinkler system and awoke the uninjured woman.

20 A life owed Smoke Alarm Reality

21 NFPA Standards (13D, 13R) are not directed at asset protection, yet fire sprinklers really are the gold standard for that too. Pitt Meadows Growth

22 Still more to do Proof of Concept Statistically the results have been clear Operationally the benefits are very apparent and significant Fiscally the value is dramatic No complaints, no politics

23 The fire started on a stove where boxes were piled, but the sprinkler quickly extinguished the fire. The young mother and 16 month old child will be able to salvage many of their belongings A man fell asleep in his suite and awoke to the smell of smoke and flames which activated a fire sprinkler and extinguished the fire Since 2005: Statistical Data fire losses No fire beyond Object of Origin in any dwelling or commercial building with fire sprinklers ZERO fire deaths and only one minor injury Only one malfunction

24 Statistical Data FD operations Population increase of 27% over 10 years Property value protected increase of 96% Call volume increase of 18% over 10 years Structure fires per 1000 population no change Career staff # change from 3-5 over 10 years Fire service % of City Ops budget = 7% F.U.S. Ratings: PFPC = 5; DPG = 3A Statistical Data FD costs

25 Smoke alarms are the seatbelt; fire sprinklers are the airbag. One can be tampered with easily QUESTIONS?

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