The Role of Home Fire Sprinklers in CRR
What is CRR According to NFPA 1300, Standard on Community Risk Assessment and Community Risk Reduction Plan Development, CRR is a process to identify and prioritize local risks, followed by the integrated and strategic investment of resources to reduce their occurrence and impact. In other words, it is a process to help communities find out what their risks are and develop a plan to reduce the risks viewed as high priority. The steps involved in CRR are conducting a Community Risk Assessment (CRA), developing a CRR plan, implementing the plan, and evaluating the plan.
What is a CRA A CRA is a comprehensive evaluation that identifies, prioritizes, and defines the risks that pertain to the overall community. The CRA informs the CRR plan and results in a full understanding of the community s unique risks, capabilities, and characteristics related to the following profiles:» Building stock» Community service organizations» Demographics» Economics» Geography» Hazards» Past loss & event history» Public safety response agencies
Is fire a risk?
Today s home fires are more dangerous for residents.* 7 People Die in U.S. home fires every day *NFPA data 2016 80% of fire deaths Are in home fires (2,735 civilians) 12,300 Civilian injuries $6.7 billion In direct damage
Today s home fires are more dangerous for firefighters.* 11 Times more likely To be injured fighting structure fires 67% of firefighter injuries Are from fighting structure fires *NFPA data 2016
Home fires can become deadly in less than 2 minutes. Lightweight construction material burns faster and fails quicker, often collapsing in a fire. UL/NIST Data Common synthetic furnishings inside today s homes burn hotter and faster than natural materials and produce toxic deadly smoke (responder health hazard). Larger, more open designs enable faster flashover.
Reducing Risk
Home fire sprinklers stop a fire from becoming deadly. Living room after sprinkler activation Living room without fire sprinklers
NFPA 13D National Installation Standard for One- and Two-family dwellings: Intended to prevent injury and life loss. Only requires sprinklers to be installed in living areas.
NFPA 13D National Installation Standard for One- and Twofamily dwellings: Up to a maximum of 40 gpm, the water supply to accommodate one or two operating sprinklers for at least 10 minutes. Two common types of fire sprinkler layouts: Stand-alone (or independent) uses dedicated pipes that only supply the fire sprinklers. Multi-purpose combined (or network) uses the pipes that supply the home s plumbing fixtures to also supply the fire sprinklers. What Is NFPA 13D Standard 2-minute video
Why home fire sprinklers in CRR: Home fire sprinklers provide a level of protection that no other technology can offer. Protects those at high risk because they allow time to escape: very young very old people with disabilities
Home fire sprinklers and CRR: Protects firefighters from exposure which can lead to cancer and other health concerns.
Home fire sprinklers and CRR: Protecting all new housing stock allows resources to be directed to high risk existing homes.
Home Fire Sprinkler Challenges Home fire sprinklers are required in today s national codes. Fire departments are faced with many challenges.
Home Fire Sprinkler Challenges Lack of consumer awareness Myths and misconceptions: All go off at once Activated by smoke Costly Consumer do not believe they need them
Home Fire Sprinkler Challenges Water purveyors: Don t understand 13D system requirements Backflow requirements in some areas Water meter issues Delinquent bill/water supply shut off issues High tap fees can penalize homeowners
Fire Sprinkler Contractor Challenges Primarily commercial work Overbid residential work Don t know how to work with homebuilders Need increased awareness about residential sprinkler systems/facts
Home Fire Sprinkler Challenges Builder resistance Builder lack of awareness Believe new homes do not burn
$517 million
Home fire sprinklers lobbied out of codes in 25+ states
What are home fire sprinkler incentives? Locally negotiated trade ups/incentives that AHJs offer to builders or developers in exchange for improving life safety by installing home fire sprinklers. Developer Incentives video
Home fire sprinkler incentives: Can be offered in communities that do not require fire sprinkler installation in new homes. Incentives do not require change in local ordinance.
Home fire sprinkler incentives offered by AHJs: Can reduce construction costs and increase builder profit. Protect occupants and firefighters.
What are home fire sprinkler incentives? Incentives are locally negotiated and therefore will be different in each community. Does not require change in local code/ordinance Reduce construction costs and increase builder profit. Protect occupants and firefighters.
Incentives: Reduced Basement Windows Fire sprinklers reduce rescue openings in every basement sleeping room. 32
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HFSC Built For Life Community Program 9 Steps To A Safer Community FREE tools to educate planning and zoning boards and local builders/developers about incentives: video testimonials customizable PPT presentation case studies of successful incentives in large and small developments data and economic information fact sheets and guidance HomeFireSprinkler.org/CRR
Week of May 19, 2019
Sign Up for FREE Built For Life Fire Department Program. Provides support, resources and materials for fire departments that make home fire sprinkler education a focus of their community outreach. Review new information during development and provide feedback. Exclusive stipend opportunities. Sign up: HomeFireSprinkler.org
Sign Up for FREE Built For Life Fire Department Program First to receive new material such as new educational prop (box). Sign up: HomeFireSprinkler.org
Lorraine Carli HFSC President Vice President of Outreach and Advocacy NFPA lcarli@nfpa.org