Chief's Corner

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« Previous Chief's Corner – Fire Prevention Week 2009

Residential Sprinklers

Posted on October 30, 2009 by Deputy U.S. Fire Administrator, Glenn A. Gaines

October 28, 2009 was a very good day for the fire service in America. Fire Service providers from all across this nation assembled in Baltimore to advance the cause of residential fire safety. Several proposed changes to the International Residential Building Code would have removed the requirement for residential fire sprinklers in the code. As a result of a unified fire service effort for the code change hearing held on Wednesday, the committee voted to disapprove the proposed changes and to retain the residential fire sprinkler requirements.

It was a great pleasure for me to have the opportunity to represent the United States Fire Administration (USFA), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Department of Homeland Security and present the testimony of Kelvin J. Cochran, the United States Fire Administrator. I was pleased to join more than 1,500 fire service members who took the time to travel to the Baltimore hearings in support of residential fire sprinklers. On behalf of the United States Fire Administration, the following is the statement from U.S. Fire Administrator Kelvin J. Cochran presented to the committee members:

Good evening, Chairman Meyers, members of the International Residential Code Committee. My name is Glenn Gaines and I serve as the Deputy United States Fire Administrator.

I am here today representing the United States Fire Administrator, Kelvin J. Cochran, in asking you to disapprove Proposal RB53 and the other proposals you have before you that would diminish code requirements for residential fire sprinklers.

Since its inception in 1974, the United States Fire Administration and its allied partners have undertaken hundreds of studies to define and analyze the national fire problem. What we have learned from over thirty-five years of study is that most Americans who die in fires die where they live.

In 2008, nearly two-thirds of all fire deaths occurred in one and two family dwellings, and the property loss in dwelling fires was approximately $7 billion dollars.

We have also learned the value of sprinkler systems in saving lives and property. Our fire data tells us that, when both smoke alarms and sprinklers are present in a home, the risk of dying in a fire is reduced by 82%.

In addition to saving the lives of building occupants, residential fire sprinklers significantly reduce the risk that residential fires pose to firefighters.

The time has come to use this affordable, simple and effective technology to save lives and property where it matters most - in our homes. By maintaining the requirement in your code for fire sprinklers to be a standard feature in all new homes, we are one step closer to eliminating fire fatalities in this country. For that reason, I ask that you disapprove this proposal.

On behalf of the USFA staff, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the chief officers, fire marshals, mayors, city managers, and all others who demonstrated inspired leadership by directing, supporting and allowing their fire service experts to participate in these hearings. Without the support of many, this outcome might have been much different and diminished the safety of our Nation’s residents.

Administrator Cochran and I would also like to thank all those who have worked so hard to keep the USFA and the entire fire service informed about residential sprinkler efforts and those who have guided this important life safety effort. This was a tremendous example of teamwork and cooperation that demonstrates what we can accomplish when we work together.

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