residential water supplies and home fire sprinklers: a winning …fire+sprinklers+-+w… · why do...

Residential Water Supplies and Home Fire Sprinklers: A Winning Combination

2018 Oregon Operators Conference, August 14-16, Canyonville, OR

What We’ll Cover Today

Who we are – Oregon Fire Sprinkler Coalition Why Sprinklers? The Fire Problem in the US

Partnerships – The Medford Story Home Fire Sprinklers – Nuts and Bolts System water demand, explained Water supplies for residential

Discussion (Time permitting)

Oregon Fire Sprinkler CoalitionMission Promotes life-saving benefits of home fire

sprinklers Provides education to stakeholder groups Collaborates with key groups to help

overcome barriers

The Fire ProblemStatistics – In the US

– In the US:7 people die in home fires each day2,500 die in home fires each year13,000 people are injured yearlyFires kill more people in the United States each year than all natural disasters combinedChildren and the elderly are most at risk

Source: NFPA

The Fire ProblemStatistics – In Oregon

– OregonFrom 2004 to 2013 there were:

– nearly 350 fire deaths– more than 2,500 injuries

Source: NFPA

Vulnerable Populations

Source: NFPA

Children Children under the age of 5 are 1

½ times more likely to die in a home fire as the general public May hide during fires or need

assistance May sleep through a sounding

smoke alarm Have reduced reaction times

Vulnerable Populations

Source: NFPA

Older Adults Nearly 3 times more likely to die in a home fire Older adults may suffer from reduced

sensory abilities such as smell, touch, vision, and hearing Reduced capacity to: Smell smoke Feel if something is hot See fires or notice fire causes Hear smoke alarms or fire sounds

May suffer from disabilities Reduced reaction times

Why Do We Still Lose People in Home Fires?

Safe Window of Escape Time Studies have shown: Average safe window of escape

time has reduced from 17 minutes in the 1970’s to as little as 3 minutes currently.

Attributed to the widespread use of hydrocarbons (petroleum products) in modern furniture, such as plastics and polyurethane foams. These newer fuels cause more rapid fire growth with toxic smoke

People are dying because they simply do not wake up or cannot get out in time.

Source: NIST

Why Do We Still Lose People in Home Fires?

Some Would Say Smoke Alarms are Enough…– They may not provide an early enough warning

for everybody to escape todays fast moving firesSmoke alarms were present and operated in 40% of home fire deaths

– There are maintenance issues37% of fire deaths were in homes with missing smoke alarms23% of fire deaths were in homes where smoke alarms were inoperable

Source: NFPA’s Smoke Alarms in U.S. Home Fires, March 2014

Smoke Alarm Trends in Fatal Fires

Sources: NFPA; UFSA; Public/Private Fire Safety Council

Building Trends and Implications

Source: US Analysis of Changing Residential Fire Dynamics and it’s Implications of Firefighter Operational Timeframes

Legacy Modern ResultSmaller homes Larger homes More fuel to burn, more oxygen

Compartmentalization Open floor plans More oxygen, easier smoke and heat communication, greater spans

Majority 1-story Majority 2-story Chimney effect, rescue challenges

Conventional lumber Trusses/engineered systems Quicker structural failure/collapse

Solid core doors Hollow core doors Quicker burn through

Larger setbacks Reduced setbacks Greater chance of multiple structures involved

Furnishings & Fuel Loads

Heat Release Rates (HRR) (Btu/sec)– Small wastebasket 4-142– TV set 114-275– Cotton mattress 38-921– Polyurethane mattress 768-2495 (+271-2025%)– Cotton easy chair 275-351– Polyurethane easy chair 1281-1888 (+466-538%)– Polyurethane sofa 2960– Armchair (modern) 332-711– Recliner (synthetic padding/covering) 474-949– Christmas tree, dry 474-617– Pool of gasoline (2 quarts on concrete) 949– Living room or bedroom fully involved 2846-9487

Source: NFPA 921; Kirk’s Fire Investigation

1970’s vs. Current Fuel Loads

Source: UL

Total Time to Firefighting Intervention(Minutes)

How Long after Ignition Does it Take for Firefighter Intervention?– Ignition 0– Alarm-Discovery 1– Evacuation 1– 911 call 1– Dispatch Time 1– Turnout Time 1.5– Drive Time 5– Setup Time 1

– Fighting Fire 11.5 min.

Test Fire-Without Sprinklers

A concentration of as little as 0.04% (400 parts per million) carbon monoxide in the air can be fatal.

Sources: National Fire Sprinkler Association

0 60 120 180 240 300 360 420

4000

3000

2000

1000

0

Carbon Monoxide

Time (sec.)

PPM

4000

3000

2000

1000

00 60 120 180

Carbon Monoxide

Time (sec.)

PPM

Test Fire-With Sprinklers


1400

1200

1000

800

600

400

200

0

0 60 120 180 240 300 360 420

3” Below Ceiling60” Above Floor36” Above Floor

Temp.

Time (sec.)

Test Fire-Without Sprinklers


140

120

100

80

60

40

20

0

0 60 120 180 240

3” Below Ceiling60” Above Floor36” Above Floor

Temp.

Time (sec.) Sources: National Fire Sprinkler Association

Test Fire-With Sprinklers

What If Homes were Sprinklered?

How Fire Sprinkler Systems Work

The heat from the fire activates the head nearest the fire

The fire sprinkler system controls the fire with water before the atmosphere becomes unsurvivable

What If Homes were Sprinklered?

Model Building Codes: National Standard of Care– National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

Required fire sprinklers in all new homes in 2005

– International Code Council (ICC)Required fire sprinklers in all new homes in 2009

– State Adoptions of Model CodesCA required fire sprinklers in all new homes 2011

– First ordinance in San Clemente 1970’s– 153 ordinances when starting to talk about statewide requirement– 4 years later passed a statewide requirement

MD required fire sprinklers in all new homes in 2011

Where Are We at in Oregon?– Statewide multi-family requirement (2010) for new construction

(3+ units OSSC)– No statewide requirement to protect one and two family homes

Towards a Safer Community

Occupant Safety– Sprinklers reduce civilian fire deaths by

83% – Sprinklers reduce civilian fire injury

medical costs by 53%– Sprinklers reduce civilian fire injury total

costs by 41%Firefighter Safety

– Sprinklers are responsible for an estimated 65% reduction in firefighter fireground injuries

Property Losses– Sprinklers reduce direct property damage

per fire by 69%

Source: Fire Sprinkler Initiative Home Structure Fire Loss in the U.S. and Fire Sprinkler Impact

Case Study ConclusionsFire Sprinkler Experience

– Studies in jurisdictions that had long-standing fire sprinkler ordinances have proven that residential fire sprinkler systems are effective in saving lives, reducing injuries, and reducing property damage

– The National Institute of Technology (NIST) compared sprinklered and non-sprinklered homes over a period of time and came to the following conclusions:

Houses equipped with smoke alarms and a fire sprinkler system experienced 100 % fewer civilian fatalities, 57 % fewer civilian injuries, and 32 % less direct property losses and indirect costs resulting from fire than houses equipped only with smoke alarms.

Source: NIST Benefit-Cost Analysis of Residential Fire Sprinkler Systems, 2007

Community Benefits Environmental Considerations

Environmental Impact of Sprinklered vs. Non-Sprinklered Homes

– Greenhouse gas emissions were cut by 97.8%– Water usage was reduced between 50% and 92%– Fewer persistent pollutants, such as heavy metals, were found in

sprinkler wastewater versus fire hose water– The high PH level and pollutant load of non-sprinkler wastewater are

an environmental concern

Source: Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition and FM Global

The Solution

+ => Survival

+=> Survival

Your Chances of Surviving a Fire Increase Significantly with:– A fire sprinkler system and– Smoke alarms

Public Perception

2014 National Harris Poll– 74% of U.S. homeowners said they would be more likely to

buy a home with fire sprinklers than one without– Seven in 10 said a sprinklered house has more value– Nearly 8 in 10 (78%) said fire sprinklers provide the ultimate

protection for residents

Source: Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition

Costs of Home Sprinkler SystemsNationally - $1.35 per sq. ft. of living area

– Lowest $0.74 in San Clemente CA

Locally - $1.68 per sq. ft. of living area

Solutions to Reducing Cost– Partnership with Medford Water Commission

¾” water meters at standard 5/8” meter SDC’s– Encourage Design to Eliminate Backflow

Multipurpose or flow through systems– Insurance Companies

Typical 5-15% reduction in homeowner’s insurance Source: NFPA

Costs of Home Sprinkler Systems

Conclusion1:

“Basically, for the price of a Happy Meal or a Starbuck’s coffee (a month), your family can be protected by a residential sprinkler system,”

Fred Benn, President of Advanced Automatic Sprinkler Company in Hayward, CA

Source: 1. Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition

Expected Increase in 30-year Mortgage– $5-10 month after interest deduction and insurance savings

Comparable Costs– Many people pay similar costs for such amenities as:

Upgrading carpetUpgrading cabinetsUpgrading countertopsUpgrading driveways

Fire Service - Water PurveyorPartnership

Water Purveyors Provide a Valuable Resource– Have the responsibility to provide reliable and safe water to

the community– Are concerned about water quality and system demand

The Fire Service Promotes Proactive Life-Saving Technology

– Responsibility to help people and prevent tragedies (Reactive and proactive efforts)

Good Reason for Partnership – Common Ground– Community risk reduction

Issues to Work On– Barriers to promoting home fire sprinkler systems

System development charges (added fees)

Fire Service - Water PurveyorPartnership

AWWA Research Foundation Position– Water efficient fire suppression technologies exist that use

less water than conventional standards. In particular, the universal application of automatic sprinkler systems provides the proven method of reducing loss of life and property due to fire, while at the same time providing faster response to the fire and requiring significantly less water than conventional fire-fighting techniques. It is recommended that the universal application of automatic fire sprinklers be adopted by local jurisdictions.

Source: American Water Works Association (AWWA) Report- Impact of Fire Flow on Distribution System Water Quality , Design and Operation

A Partnership

Medford Water Commission Medford Fire-Rescue Medford Building Dep.

A Partnership

A Partnership

Medford Water Commission and Home Fire Sprinklers

o Partnership with Medford Fire-Rescue

o Water meters for single family residence: 2012-Presento ¾ x ¾ Meter at same SDC as 5/8 o Passive purge connection in lieu of backflow

preventer (all material to meet Plumbing Code)

A Partnership

Medford Water Commission and Home Fire Sprinklers

o Partnership with Medford Fire-Rescue

o MWC Letter of Support 2017o MWC Believes that sprinkler systems are essential

to saving lives and property in our communityo Pleased to partner with Medford Fire to promote

installationo Partnerships help the entire community

Hydraulics and Water Supply

Hydraulics – Minimum Design Flow– 2 heads flowing simultaneously at .05 gpm/sq. ft.

each– Typically 13-40 gpm (maximum 2-head calculation)

Hydraulics – Minimum Design Pressure– Minimum 7 psi pressure for standard heads

Water Supply Duration– Minimum Duration:

10 minutes, or7 minutes for a one story house less than 2,000 sq. ft.

Source: NFPA 13D

Water Supply Sources

Water Supply Sources – Typical Municipal– A connection to a reliable waterworks system

with or without an automatically operated

Source: NFPA 13D

Water Supply Sources

Alternative Water Supply Sources– An elevated tank– A pressure tank designed to American Society

of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) standards for a pressure vessel with a reliable pressure source

– A stored water source with an automatically operated pump

– A well with a pump of sufficient capacity and pressure to meet the sprinkler system demand

Source: NFPA 13D

Water Meter Sizing and Water Usage

Plumbing Systems Typically Require:– Minimum 8 psi pressure for any plumbing fixture – Minimum 20 psi pressure for temperature-controlled shower

valves– Minimum 40 psi pressure for the main supply connection (applies

to all homes with indoor plumbing, even those supplied by wells)– A pressure regulator when pressures exceed 80 psi

Source: International Residential Code Fire Sprinkler Coalition


Common Supply Pipes Serving More than One Dwelling– 5 gpm shall be added to the sprinkler system demand to

determine the size of common piping and the size of the total water supply requirements where no provision is made to prevent flow into the domestic water system upon operation of a sprinkler

Source: International Residential Code Fire Sprinkler Coalition


Water Meters– 5/8”

Rated for 20 gpm max. (25 Solid state)Recommend staying within rating, but tests have shown meter will not fail with excess flow

– 3/4”Rated at 30 gpm (35 Solid state)

– Should work for most systemsRequirement for Fire Protection Listing?

– No



Is it Possible to Design a System to Flow 20 gpm or Less?

Yes

Example Data Sheet of Listed Residential Heads

Max Coverage(ft. x ft.)

Ordinary Temp Rating(155OF)

Intermediate Temp Rating (175OF)

Minimum Spacing

(feet)Flow(gpm)

Pressure(psi)

Flow (gpm)

Pressure(psi)

12 x 12 8 7.1 8 7.1 8

14 x 14 11 13.4 11 13.4 8

16 x 16 13 18.8 13 18.8 8

18 x 18 17 32.1 18 36.0 8

Water Usage

Sprinklers vs. Firefighting– Water usage was reduced between 50%

and 92%

Source: FM Global

Typical Supply Piping Arrangement

Typical Supply Piping Arrangement

Maintaining Water Quality

Common Piping Types: All Approved for Potable Water Systems


CPVC

PEX

Copper

Maintaining Water Quality

Are Backflow Prevention Devices Required?– Is not required by National plumbing codes and

OPSC 603.4.16 unless:Materials are used that are not approved for potable water systems There is a fire department connectionChemicals are added to the fire protection system (i.e.: antifreeze, corrosion inhibitors, etc.)

– Is not required by NFPA 13D– Is not required by ORSC AT2904– Is not required by ORS 333-061-0071 (4) on multi-

purpose fire suppression systems constructed of potable water piping and materials

Sources: OPSC; NFPA 13D; ORSC; ORS

Unnecessary mechanical devices require costly maintenance and have the potential to fail

Maintaining Water Quality AWWA Position – AWWA - M14

Are Backflow Prevention Devices Needed?

M14 Chapter 6:

– No on flow-through protection systemsNo stagnant or standing water

– No on multipurpose protection systemsNo stagnant or standing water

– Yes on closed fire protection systemsif deemed a hazard

Source: AWWA M14

System Design Types: Multipurpose

How Can a System be Designed to Eliminate the Need for Backflow Prevention Devices?

– Multi-purpose fire sprinkler systemNetwork systemFlow through system (passive purge) ending at a toilet

Tree Looped Network

Source: NFPA 13D

Additional Resources

In Closing…

In Our Community, we took a ‘long’ view: By reducing cost barriers on the front end, it might

Help save us costs overall

Why not have the homeowner pay for the water to put the fire out when it's small, rather than using community-shouldered costs to supply water when the fire is big?

Questions?

residential water supplies and home fire sprinklers: a winning …fire+sprinklers+-+w… · why do...

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