the promotion and research of residential sprinkler...
TRANSCRIPT
The Promotion and Research of Residential Sprinkler
Systems
A Safer Future with Residential Sprinklers
Matthew P. Korst
M03-863-733
University of Cincinnati
College of Fire Science
Political and Legal Foundations
Professor: Lawrence T. Bennett
Residential Fire Sprinklers
2
Certification Statement
I hereby certify that this paper constitutes my own product, that where the language of
others is set forth, quotation marks so indicate, and that appropriate credit is given where
I have used the language, ideas, expressions, or writings of another.
Matthew P. Korst
Residential Fire Sprinklers
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Abstract
This research takes a factual perspective of the development and use of residential
sprinkler systems to promote life and the reduction of property damage. The ultimate goal
of the research is to spread awareness of the powerful affects and advantages of
residential sprinkler systems. Adopting a law requiring residential sprinklers will protect
homeowners and brave firefighters across the nation. The overall intent of this study is to
promote the quality of life in the City of Mason and across the country. Numerous data
and research was done to conclude a significant perspective on sprinkler ordinances. The
data was gathered through several agencies and corporations for analysis. Along with this
paper comes the promotion of fire prevention. The world around us is constantly
changing and to provide for a safer environment for fire personnel and civilians this paper
was written. A quote from President George W. Bush “Recognizing and confronting our
history is important. Transcending our history is essential. We are not limited by what we
have done, or what we have left undone. We are limited only by what we are willing to
do,” The future is ahead of us and it belongs to those who prepare for it today. The
preparation of a safer future is our job.
Residential Fire Sprinklers
4
Index
Page #
Introduction ..................................................................................................... 5
The City of Mason .......................................................................................... 6
Mason Fire Department .................................................................... 8
Ohio Fire Code .................................................................................. 9
Scottsdale, Arizona ......................................................................................... 9
California ...................................................................................................... 10
Prince George’s County, Maryland .............................................................. 10
NFPA/NAHB Cost Analysis ........................................................................ 11
USFA Position on Residential Sprinklers..................................................... 12
Discussion ..................................................................................................... 14
Conclusion .................................................................................................... 15
References ..................................................................................................... 18
Appendix A ................................................................................................... 20
Appendix B ................................................................................................... 21
Appendix C ................................................................................................... 24
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Introduction
This research takes a look at residential sprinkler ordinances in one-, two- and
three-family dwellings across the nation in hope to raise awareness on fire safety and the
reduction of property damage. In a local perspective the City of Mason in southwest Ohio
follows Ohio fire mandated codes that do not require sprinkler systems in homes with
three families or less. On a national scale the majority of communities do not want to
increase sprinkler ordinances in family dwellings for several reasons. Mainly due to
economics, politics and the fear of water damage. The average citizen in the United
States misunderstands how sprinkler systems function and what it takes to discharge
them, therefore making it difficult to create legislative law on family dwelling sprinklers.
The focus of this study is to address the advantages sprinkler ordinances have in
family homes. In North America, smoke detectors are required in all buildings for safety
precautions, but this is not enough to protect life and prevent injury. “In 2009, fire
departments responded to 377,000 home fires in the United States, which claimed the
lives of 2,565 people (not including firefighters) and injured another 13,050, not
including firefighters.”1 Also in 2009, 85% of all U.S. fire deaths occurred in homes.
2
Residential fire deaths are among the most deadly in the United States, because of the
lack of fire protection and public education.
The purpose of this paper is to lay out the factual information to allow the reader
to understand and completely be aware of a safer future with home sprinkler
ordinances.Throughout the course of the paper communities and legal issues will be
studied to show a vast perspective. The fire services job is to increase fire prevention and
1http://www.cdc.gov/homeandRecreationalSafety/Fire-Prevention/fires-factsheet.html 2http://www.cdc.gov/homeandRecreationalSafety/Fire-Prevention/fires-factsheet.html
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educate their citizen’s on fire safety issues. In which the overall goal of this paper is to
achieve that.
A review of fire codes, communities, sprinkler systems, statistics and a brief
history was done to develop the beef of this paper. Along with that a demographic and
modern view of the City of Mason was done. In over the last three decades Mason has
been a birthplace of thousands of one- and two- dwelling homes without sprinkler
ordinances.
Research was done by compiling numerous amounts of information by
internationally known cooperation’s including the NFPA, USFA, NIST, and NAHB.
Expert analyze was found and implemented into the paper to develop an intelligent
perspective on sprinkler ordinances. Countless studies and statistics show for an
immediate need of sprinklers in family dwellings.
In conclusion there are several myths about the use and effectiveness of sprinkler
systems. Most of which were created by Hollywood production and construction
companies across the nation for financial gain. This paper was made to change that
perspective and be a strong advocate for residential sprinkler systems.
The City of Mason
Mason is the largest growing city in Warren County, which is located in the
southwest corner of Ohio. In 1970, just a year before the town was to become a city, there
were fewer than 5,700 residents.3 The population was later estimated to have 29,491
people in a 2006 census. (Appendix A) In just over three decades the population tripled.
3http://www.imaginemason.org/about/history
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As a resident since 1995 the small once farm town went from one lane roads and half-
finished neighborhoods to fully occupied neighborhoods and two lane paved roads
everywhere. With Mason’s current 24 commerce parks and 500 businesses in the City’s
18 square miles the city prospers financially and economically.4 “Mason’s fifteen largest
employers provide work for more than 9,000 persons and generate more than $5.3
million annually in income tax revenue.”5 With all this business and financial power
Mason still fails to do one thing which is to require and protect its thousands of citizens
and households with residential sprinkler systems. Interviewing Gregory Nicholls the
Chief Building Official with Mason since 1994, said that at times the city was
constructing 400 to 450 family households a year.6Currently in Mason the average new
single family household is 3,400 square feet and the median value was estimated to be
about $350,000 in 2005.7There are 10,493 households in Mason with an average of 2.8
persons per home and the median age of a home is nine years.8 Gregory also told me in
his history with Mason he has heard of only one household with a residential sprinkler
ordinance and it was a homeowner who owned a sprinkler system company. The city still
continues to provide building permits for several homes including multi-million dollar
ones in which none of them have sprinkler ordinances.
4http://www.imaginemason.org/about/mason-today 5http://www.imaginemason.org/about/mason-today 6 Gregory N. Nicholls, AIA “Chief Building Official” 7http://www.imaginemason.org/about/demographics/demographics 8 http://realestate.aol.com/Mason-OH-real-estate
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Mason Fire Department
The Mason fire department originated from a small town volunteer department to
over 60 full-time and part-time employees. The city has two fire stations 51 and 52 which
both operate 365 days a year twenty four hours a day. Mason’s fire department handles
over 3,000 fire and medical emergency responses each year.9 With such a high
population and demand for public service Mason has a mutual aid agreement with
neighboring Deerfield Township. “Deerfield Township is one of southwest Ohio’s
fastest-growing communities with a population of over 36,000 residents.”10
With such
enormous populations to cover, Deerfield and Mason support one another in emergency
services calls. Another main focus is to provide the growing population with public
education. The fire service provides educational programs for schools, civic groups and
businesses. “The department is pleased to have a Kids Fire Safety House, a fire safety
trailer that can be taken to schools and other locations to help teach children about fire
escape and safety.”11
The city does provide adequate response times and educational
programs, but fails to provide fire safety ordinances amongst its thousands of households.
9 http://www.imaginemason.org/city-goverment/safety-services/fire-department 10 http://www.deerfieldtwp.com/Business/Development_info.htm 11 http://www.imaginemason.org/city-goverment/safety-services/fire-department
Residential Fire Sprinklers
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Ohio Fire Code
The City of Mason follows the Ohio fire code on automatic sprinklers systems,
which was mandated by the International Code Council with a few exceptions. As of
January 1, 2011 automatic sprinkler systems shall be installed in one- and two- family
dwellings. In which additions or altercations to existing buildings that don’t have them
are not required.12
This is required in the International Residential Code, but however has
not been completely implemented into the Ohio fire code. However, the Ohio fire code
does make three requirements in which NFPA 13, 13R and 13D must be followed when
installing sprinkler systems. (Appendix A) These requirements show the duration,
advantages, scope and sprinkler design for all sprinkler ordinances including residential.
Scottsdale, Arizona
The city of Scottsdale, Arizona is one of the leading communities with built-in
residential automatic sprinkler systems. Since January 1, 1986 sprinkler ordinances have
been required in every multi-family and single family dwelling.13
The systems have been
credited with saving a number of lives locally within their 240,000 person community. In
a 15 year study from 1986 to 2001 the city had 199 working fires in sprinkled buildings.
The total value of complexes for sprinkled and non-sprinkled in the community was
$767,334,000 and the total cost for fire related property damage in the 199 sprinkled
incidents was $703,300. In which a total of 13 lives were saved. The average loss per
sprinkled building was $3,534 and $45,019 for non-sprinkled buildings. (Appendix B)
12 http://publicecodes.citation.com/st/ca/st/b400v10/st_ca_st_b400v10_3_sec014_par001.htm 13 http://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/fire/residentialsprinkler
Residential Fire Sprinklers
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California
As of January 1, 2011 all new single family residences and duplexes built are
required to have sprinkler systems. “Prior to the recent California building code
amendment, 146 cities and counties in California had building codes requiring sprinklers
in particular homes, however this is the first time a statewide building code for fire
sprinklers has been enacted.”14
The most populated state in the nation took a step forward
in public safety mandating residential sprinkler systems. The predicted average cost of
residential sprinklers is $4000 per unit.This may seem expensive, but will protect civilian
and firefighter lives across the state.
Prince George’s County, Maryland
In 1987, Prince George’s County signed a law mandating fire sprinklers for all
residential structures. The law required all newly constructed single-family dwellings to
be protected by NFPA 13D sprinkler systems. “From the years 1992 to 2007 Prince
George’s County recorded a total of 13,494 single family/townhouse fires and 245 of
those were protected by fire sprinkler systems. In those 245 incidents, no deaths were
recorded and only six injuries were reported.”15
In this study 101 people died and 328
were injured in single family/townhouse fires with no sprinklers.The county recorded that
89% of fire deaths were in residential dwellings. The fifteen year report also recorded a
$134,711,199 total fire loss for single-family houses and townhouses. For the 245
activated sprinkler events there was a total of $1,352,820 fire loss. Fires with no
sprinklers/fatalities averaged $9,983 property loss while incidents with no sprinklers and
14 http://firsttuesdayjournal.com/fire-sprinkler-systems-mandatory-for-new-home-construction-in-
california/ 15 http://www.homefiresprinkler.org/images/Prince-Georges-County-Report.pdf
Residential Fire Sprinklers
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had fatalities averaged $49,503. Then in homes protected with fire sprinklers averaged
$4,883 property damage.16
Another benefit that homeowners have with fire sprinkler
systems in the county is lower insurance cost. Prince George’s County is a prime
example of how sprinklers systems preserve life and drastically reduce property damage.
NFPA/NAHB Cost Analysis
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) did a study relating the cost of
residential sprinkler systems on ten communities in which nine were in the United States
and one in Canada. “The ten communities offer diversity in terms of sprinkler ordinance
status, geographic location, housing style, and sprinkler system variables such as the type
of piping material and the water supply source (municipal or on-site).”(pg 7)17
The data
was collected from builders and sprinkler installers regarding three separate building
plans per community. Along with that expense and system information was gathered. The
report ranged 30 houses in which the minimum cost for sprinkler ordinances per square
foot was $0.38 and the highest being $3.66.18
This range averaged out to be $1.61 per
square foot. This report also conducted a survey on insurance premium discounts for
homeowners with sprinkler systems installed. For all of the communities the average
discount percentile was collected from five insures who have a strong market share in
their state. The percentile savings ranged from 0 to 10% among all that were surveyed,
with an average premium discount of 7 %.(pg9)19
Appendix B shows the locations of the
ten communities selected for research and graphical data relating to the study.
16 http://www.homefiresprinkler.org/images/Prince-Georges-County-Report.pdf 17 http://www.nfpa.org/assets/files/PDF/Research/FireSprinklerCostAssessment.pdf 18 http://www.nfpa.org/assets/files/PDF/Research/FireSprinklerCostAssessment.pdf 19 http://www.nfpa.org/assets/files/PDF/Research/FireSprinklerCostAssessment.pdf
Residential Fire Sprinklers
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The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) conducted a nationwide
survey on the top insurers throughout the nation on residential sprinkler premium
discounts. The data was compiled on insurers who have at least 40% of the market in
every state besides Hawaii. To qualify for the discounts the sprinkler systems must follow
the protocol of NFPA standards and for a percentile discount they must be class A or B
systems. Class A has automatic sprinklers installed in all areas including bathrooms,
attics, closets, and attached structures. Class B has installation partially or totally in
bathrooms, attics, closets, and attached structure.20
Depending on the quality of the
sprinkler system your insurance discount will vary. Appendix C shows the percentage
discount per class and per insurer in each state.
USFA Position on Residential Sprinklers
The United States Fire Administration through FEMA has written and presented
statistical data reasoning for the need of residential fire sprinklers. Throughout the last
four decades, the way we live and the materials we surround ourselves by have increased
a hazard for fire growth. Today the average household has a TV in every room and more
flammable furnishing and carpet occupying the living space. “The available time to
escape a flaming fire in a home has decreased significantly (i.e., from 17± 6 minutes in
1975 to 3± ½ minute in 2003)”21
The decreased fire escape time has been blamed for
increased flammability of home furnishings in which we surround ourselves.“In the year
2006, 19% of all reported fires occurred in one- and two-family structures; however,
20http://www.nahb.org/generic.aspx?genericContentID=82243 21http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/about/position_statements/sprinklers_position.shtm
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these fires caused 66% (2,155) of the fire deaths in the US.”22
Also 25% of all firefighter
line of duty deaths were connected to residential fires. The average annual firefighter
death total is at 100, meaning that 25 firefighters died in residential fires in one year. In
this statement the USFA also presented results from the National Institute of Standards
and Technology (NIST). The results are shown below:23
When fire sprinklers alone are installed in a residence, the chances of dying in a
fire are reduced by 69%, when compared to a residence without sprinklers.
When smoke alarms alone are installed in a residence, a reduction in the death
rate of 63% can be expected, when compared to a residence without smoke
alarms.
When both smoke alarms and fire sprinklers are present in a home, the risk of
dying in a fire is reduced by 82%, when compared to a residence without either.
The final position statement of the USFA: “It is the position of the U.S. Fire
Administration that all citizens should be protected against death, injury, and property
loss resulting from fire in their residence. All homes should be equipped with both smoke
alarms and automatic fire sprinklers, and all families should have and practice an
emergency escape plan. The USFA fully supports all efforts to reduce the tragic toll of
fire losses in this nation, including the proposed changes to the International Residential
Code that would require automatic sprinklers in all new residential construction”24
The
installation of residential sprinklers will not only increase the chances of saving your life,
but the ability to minimize property damage saving your life’s work.
22http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/about/position_statements/sprinklers_position.shtm 23http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/about/position_statements/sprinklers_position.shtm 24http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/about/position_statements/sprinklers_position.shtm
Residential Fire Sprinklers
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Discussion
There is countless data and studies that show a safer future with residential
sprinkler systems in one-, two- and three-family dwellings is a need. The only thing that
stands between this need is legislative law and a strong public demand. The two main
reasons public demand is low is because of the misunderstanding of how sprinkler
systems operate and how much they cost. Many people believe that when one sprinkler
system goes off they all will. This is false; sprinkler heads react to temperatures in each
room, meaning that a fire in the kitchen will only activate that sprinkler head. It takes
about 165 degrees Fahrenheit to set off a sprinkler head. Several people also believe that
sprinkler heads will accidentally go off or cause significant water damage. The odds of
you getting killed by an asteroid are 30 times greater than your sprinkler system
accidentally going off. “Considering that a fire fighter’s hose sprays about 175 gallons a
minute while a residential sprinkler only sprays about 15 gallons of water per minute,
your sprinkler system would have to run 12 times longer than a fire fighter’s hose before
it caused the same amount of damage.”25
’
The idea of a sprinkler head in the middle of your home does not seem so
attractive, thus causing many people to be against an ugly metal sprinkler hanging from
their ceiling. This conception is extremely false, because sprinkler heads that are
designed for home features are way different than the ones seen in a typical office
building. Sprinklers in homes are designed to be nearly invisible or can retract up into the
ceiling behind plates, in which they can be designed to match your home. Home sprinkler
25 http://www.doityourself.com/stry/firesprinklersystem
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systems are also designed to function way differently than commercial models. “Home
sprinklers spray more outwardly than commercial models and are capable of covering
between 150 to 400 square feet, thus requiring fewer sprinkler heads.”26
The image and
conception of a sprinkler system in residential homes is extremely misunderstood by the
public.
The public view believes that installing sprinkler systems would be too expensive
to the home builder or raise the cost drastically. This is false; a sprinkler system can
actually raise the value of your home and protect valuable merchandise. A current
estimate of a home sprinkler system could raise the building price from 1% -1 ½%.27
Sprinkler systems can also get you a cut off on your homeowners insurance.
Conclusion
The City of Mason and the rest of the nation must prepare for the future and adopt
a law requiring residential sprinklers. Mason is a prime example of a vastly growing city
that needs to mandate sprinkler ordinances in new built households. With over 10,493
households already and newly built ones produced every year the potential for fire grows.
The average family household is 3,400 square feet costing an estimated $350,000 and
consists of 2.8 persons per home. This means if we calculated the cost of residential
sprinklers by the average square foot at $1.62, the cost would be $5,508, which would
add 1.5% to the total household mortgage. Mason generates extremely high revenue from
high end businesses that supplies a lot of high paying jobs to citizens. This means that
adding a 1.5% to the mortgage would nearly be nothing to homeowners that have
26 http://www.doityourself.com/stry/firesprinklersystem 27http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/about/position_statements/sprinklers_position.shtm
Residential Fire Sprinklers
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mortgages over 15 to 30 years. The installation of sprinkler systems is very capable for
new built homes and must be mandated.
There have been several studies from NFPA, NIST, USFA, and NAHB that show
residential sprinkler ordinances are affordable and save lives. Having sprinkler systems
can get you on average a 5% to 10% discount on homeowners insurance. The risk of
dying with sprinklers in your home is reduced to 82% which can bring down the yearly
death toll of firefighters and civilians drastically. With over 85% of all fire deaths
occurring in homes in 2009 the death toll could have been reduced from 2,565 to 385
saving 2,184 lives. Also on average 25% of firefighters die in a household fire, which
brings a yearly death toll for residential fires for firemen to 25. The future household with
residential sprinklers is not going to just save thousands of lives, but can keep your hard
earned belongings protected. The city of Mason has no sprinkler systems installed in any
of their homes leaving a disaster for the future. As homes grow older and technology
advances, the risk of fire will increase. The city must create a law to install sprinkler
systems to provide protection for its civilians, but also take that step to lower the chance
of potential fire hazards to take some weight off of the two fire stations in Mason.
The state of California and the communities of Scottsdale and Prince George’s
County have realized the advantages of residential sprinkler systems. The largest
populated state California just recently mandated that all newly built residential homes
must have sprinkler systems. Prince George’s County 15 year study showed that with the
use of sprinklers the death toll can be reduced to zero. The county recorded zero deaths
and 6 civilian injuries in 245 fires that were protected by sprinkler ordinances. In
Scottsdale, Arizona they reported saving 13 lives in 199 incidents with sprinklers. The
Residential Fire Sprinklers
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city of Masons main logo is “more than you imagine”, well I imagine a safer environment
for the thousands of hardworking civilians. The next step in doing this is passing a local
law or pushing for a statewide law to mandate sprinklers. This will not only allow the city
to prosper financially, but in public safety.
The public’s perspective of residential sprinklers is truly misguided and must be
changed to build support behind a law mandating residential sprinklers. Installing
sprinklers can reduce water damage and give homeowners more time to escape from
today’s fast growing fires. The idea that a sprinkler head in your home is ugly is false,
because they build them to blend in with your household and can retract up into the
ceiling. Public support is the future and I hope this combined research will raise
awareness for the millions that do not know the potential of sprinkler ordinances. This is
also dedicated to the countless people that have died in residential fires and to the family
members that have suffered through the painful loss. Planning for the future is saving
lives and that’s what the City of Mason must do.
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References
(2011). Retrieved June 1, 2011, from City of Mason Ohio More than you Imagine:
http://www.imaginemason.org/
Development Information. (2010). Retrieved May 30, 2011, from Deerfeild Township
Committed to Service Excellence:
http://www.deerfieldtwp.com/Business/Development_info.htm
Fire Deaths and Injuries: Fact Sheet. (2010, October 1). Retrieved June 1, 2011, from
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
http://www.cdc.gov/homeandRecreationalSafety/Fire-Prevention/fires-
factsheet.html
Fire Sprinkler Systems. (2011). Retrieved May 28, 2011, from The Official Web Site of
the City of Scottsdale, Arizona:
http://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/fire/residentialsprinkler
International Code Council. (2007). Retrieved June 1, 2011, from
http://publicecodes.citation.com/st/ca/st/b400v10/st_ca_st_b400v10_3_sec014_pa
r001.ht
Mason, OH Real Estate Market. (2011). Retrieved May 30, 2011, from AOL Real Estate:
http://realestate.aol.com/Mason-OH-real-estate
Misconceptions about Home Fire Sprinkler Systems. (2006). Retrieved June 1, 2011,
from Doityourself:
http://www.doityourself.com/stry/firesprinklersystem
Residential Fire Sprinklers
19
Newport Partners Davidsonville, MD. (2008, September). Home Fire Sprinkler Cost
Assessment. Retrieved June 1, 2011, from National Fire Protection Association:
http://www.nfpa.org/assets/files/PDF/Research/FireSprinklerCostAssessment.pdf
Nicholls, G. N. (2011, May 22). Cheif Building Official. (M. P. Korst, Interviewer)
Tran, T. (2011, March 15). Fire sprinkler systems mandatory for new home construction
in California. Retrieved June 1, 2011, from First Tuesday Journal Online:
http://firsttuesdayjournal.com/fire-sprinkler-systems-mandatory-for-new-home-
construction-in-california/
USFA Position on Residential Fire Sprinklers. (2008, May 28). Retrieved June 1, 2011,
from United States Fire Administration:
http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/about/position_statements/sprinklers_position.shtm
Weatherby, S. (2009, August). BENEFITS of RESIDENTIAL FIRE SPRINKLERS: Prince
George’s County 15-Year History. Retrieved May 28, 2011, from Prince George's
County:
http://www.homefiresprinkler.org/images/Prince-Georges-County-Report.pdf
Xu, L. (2007, September 14). Fire Sprinklers and Homeowner Insurance . Retrieved June
1, 2011, from National Association of Home Builders :
http://www.nahb.org/generic.aspx?genericContentID
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Appendix A
Census Population
1980 8,692
1990 11,452
2000 22,019
2006 29,491
Chart recreated from City of Mason’s website
From: Recreated for graphically data 2006 International Building Code Commentary
Figure 903.3.1
NFPA 13 NFPA 13R NFPA 13D
Extent of
Protection
Equip throughout
(Section 903.3.1.1)
Occupied spaces
(Section 903.3.1.2)
Occupied spaces
(Section 903.3.1.3)
Scope All Occupancies Low-rise residential One- and two-
family dwellings
Sprinkler design Density/area
concept
4-head design 2- head design
Sprinklers All types Residential only Residential only
Duration 30 minutes
(minimum)
30 minutes 10 minutes
Advantages Property and life
protection
Life safety/tenability Life safety/tenability
Residential Fire Sprinklers
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Appendix B
Evaluation of Automatic Sprinklers in Scottsdale
January 1, 1986 thru January 1, 2001
* Total Working Fires in Sprinkled Buildings 199
* Types of Activations Commercial 102
Multifamily 48
Single Family 49
* Total Value of Complexes $767,334,000
* Total Structural Fire Loss for 199 Incidents $703,300
* Total Lives Saved 13
* Average Loss Per Sprinkled Incident $3,534
- Without Omega Failure at Joshua Tree Apartments $2,276
* Average Fire Loss @ Non-Sprinkled Structural Incidents $45,019
* Fires Controlled With Two or Less Sprinkler Heads (183/16) 92%
From:
http://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/Assets/Public+Website/fire/15yearsprinklerexecstudy.pdf
(pg 4)
Map from NFPA report (pg 13)
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Graph from NFPA study (pg 16)
Chart recreated from NFPA report (pg 15)
House Size for 30- Home Sample (Square feet)
Sprinklered Area* Living Area**
Mean 4,118 3,660
Median 4,124 3,441
Minimum 1,913 1,723
Maximum 6,542 6,360
Residential Fire Sprinklers
23
Chart recreated from NFPA report (pg 16)
Sprinkler System Cost to the Home Builder
Cost
($/sprinklered
SF)
Cost
($/living
Space
SF)
Cost with
Available
Credits
($/sprinklered
SF)
Cost with
Available
Credits
($/living
space
SF)
Mean $1.61 $1.72 $1.49 $1.60
Median $1.42 $1.49 $1.23 $1.38
Minimum $0.38 $0.74 $0.38 $0.74
Maximum $3.66 $3.66 $3.66 $3.66
Residential Fire Sprinklers
24
Appendix C
Table 1. Discounts for Fire Sprinklers on Homeowners Insurance Policies
States Company Name Market
Share Sprinkler Credits
Data Source Class A
1 Class B
2
Alabama
State Farm IL 29.43%
AL Dept. of
Insurance 10% 5%
Alfa Ins Grp 20.57%
AL Dept. of
Insurance 10% 5%
Allstate Ins Grp 11.95%
AL Dept. of
Insurance 10% 0
Alaska
State Farm IL 35.15%
AK Dept. of
Insurance 10% 5%
Allstate Ins Co 29.80%
AK Dept. of
Insurance 10% 0
United Services Auto Assoc 9.23%
AK Dept. of
Insurance 8% 8%
Arizona
State Farm IL 19.81% State Farm 10% 5%
Zurich Ins Grp (Farmers Ins Grp) 17.40% Farmers 10% 5%
Allstate Ins Grp 14.66% Allstate 3% 0
Arkansas
State Farm IL 24.84% State Farm 10% 5%
Farm Bureau Mut Ins Co Of AR
Inc 21.05% Ins. Agent 0 0
Allstate Ins Grp 8.81% Allstate 4% 0
California
State Farm IL 22.13% State Farm 10% 5%
Zurich Ins Grp (Farmers Ins Grp) 16.56% Farmers 10% 5%
Allstate Ins. Grp 14.13% Allstate 10% 0
Colorado
State Farm IL 23.93% State Farm 10% 5%
Zurich Ins Grp (Farmers Ins Grp) 15.60% Farmers 10% 5%
American Family Ins Grp 13.60% American Family 10% 10%
Allstate Ins Grp 10.04% Allstate 2% 0
Connecticut
Allstate Ins Grp 13.21% Allstate 10% 0
Chubb & Son INC 11.38% Chubb & Son 15% 0
Liberty Mut Grp 6.15% Ins. Agent 10% 10%
Hartford Fire & Cas Grp 5.75% Ins. Agent 13% 0
Nationwide Corp 5.40% Nationwide 0 0
Delaware
State Farm IL 29.63% State Farm 10% 5%
Nationwide Corp 14.62% Nationwide 0 0
Allstate Ins. Grp 9.71% Allstate 0 0
District of
Columbia
State Farm IL 24.59% State Farm 10% 5%
Chubb & Son INC 12.57% Chubb & Son 15% 0
Allstate Ins Grp 12.48% Allstate 10% 0
Florida
State Farm Florida Ins. Co. 21.02%
FL Dept. of
Insurance 10% 5%
Allstate Floridian Ins. Co. 8.86%
FL Dept. of
Insurance 10% 0
Poe Financial Grp (took Citizens'
policies) 7.20%
FL Dept. of
Insurance 7% 4%
Tower Hill Ins Grp 5.11%
FL Dept. of
Insurance 7% 4%
Nationwide Ins. Co. of Florida 4.92% FL Dept. of 16% 9%
Residential Fire Sprinklers
25
Insurance
Georgia State Farm IL 31.99% State Farm 10% 5%
Allstate Ins Grp 14.04% Allstate 10% 0%
Hawaii3 State Farm IL 25.37% State Farm 10% 5%
Idaho
State Farm IL 17.87% State Farm 10% 5%
Zurich Ins Grp (Farmers Ins Grp) 15.68% Farmers 10% 5%
Allstate Ins Grp 11.91% Allstate 4% 0
Illinois State Farm IL 31.98% State Farm 10% 5%
Allstate Ins Grp 16.17% Allstate 10% 0
Indiana
State Farm IL 26.86% State Farm 10% 5%
Indiana Farm Bureau Grp 8.70% Ins. Agent 0 0
Allstate Ins Grp 7.73% Allstate 10% 0
American Family Ins Grp 6.65% American Family 10% 10%
Iowa
State Farm IL 24.74% State Farm 10% 5%
Nationwide Corp 16.24% Nationwide 0 0
American Family Ins Grp 9.59% American Family 10% 10%
Kansas
State Farm IL 22.98%
KS Dept. of
Insurance 10% 5%
American Family Ins Grp 17.88%
KS Dept. of
Insurance 10% 10%
Zurich Ins Grp (Farmers Ins Grp) 10.34%
KS Dept. of
Insurance 10% 5%
Kentucky
State Farm IL 21.68% State Farm 10% 5%
Kentucky Farm Bureau Grp 21.20% Ins. Agent 0 0
Allstate Ins Grp 10.75% Allstate 3% 0
Nationwide Corp. 4.16% Nationwide 13% 8%
Louisiana State Farm IL 34.52% State Farm 10% 5%
Allstate Ins Grp 21.83% Allstate 10% 0
Maine
State Farm IL 10.82% State Farm 10% 5%
White Mountains Grp (York Ins.
Co.) 9.90% Consultant 10% 6%
Liberty Mut Grp 9.22% Ins. Agent 13% 8%
Allstate Ins Grp 6.87% Allstate 4% 0
Concord Grp 5.53% Ins. Agent 10% 0
Maryland
State Farm IL 21.86% State Farm 10% 5%
Allstate Ins Grp 16.47% Allstate 10% 0
ST Paul Travelers Grp 11.36% Ins. Agent 2% 0
Nationwide Corp 11.16% Nationwide 10% 5%
Massachusetts
Commerce Grp Inc 9.82% Ins. Agent 10% 0
Andover Grp 8.91% Ins. Agent 10% 5%
ST Paul Travelers Grp 7.90% Ins. Agent 5% 0
Chubb & Son INC 7.53% Chubb & Son 15% 0
Liberty Mut Grp 6.03% Ins. Agent 13% 8%
Michigan
State Farm IL 19.09%
MI Dept. of
Insurance 10% 5%
Auto Owners Grp 14.55%
MI Dept. of
Insurance 0 0
Automobile Club MI (AAA) 10.27%
MI Dept. of
Insurance 10% 10%
Minnesota
State Farm IL 23.76% State Farm 10% 5%
American Family Ins Grp 15.15% American Family 10% 10%
Zurich Ins Grp (Farmers Ins Grp) 11.54% Farmers 10% 5%
Residential Fire Sprinklers
26
Mississippi State Farm IL 30.29% State Farm 10% 5%
Allstate Ins Grp 10.55% Allstate 10% 0
Missouri
State Farm IL 25.04% State Farm 10% 5%
American Family Ins Grp 20.48% American Family 10% 10%
Zurich Ins Grp (Farmers Ins Grp) 7.48% Farmers 10% 5%
Montana
State Farm IL 23.92% State Farm 10% 5%
Zurich Ins Grp (Farmers Ins Grp) 15.40% Farmers 10% 5%
Safeco Ins Grp 11.94% Ins. Agent 7% 4%
Nebraska
State Farm IL 26.14% State Farm 10% 5%
American Family Ins Grp 13.12% American Family 10% 10%
Farmers Mut Ins Co of NE 12.83% Ins. Agent 0 0
Nevada
Zurich Ins Grp (Farmers Ins Grp) 22.42% Farmers 10% 5%
State Farm IL 19.33% State Farm 10% 5%
Allstate Ins Grp 15.11% Allstate 2% 0
New Hampshire
Liberty Mut Grp 13.72% Ins. Agent 13% 8%
State Farm IL 10.40% State Farm 10% 5%
Allstate Ins Grp 8.14% Allstate 10% 0
Concord Grp 7.05% Ins. Agent 20%4 0
Andover Grp 5.28% Ins. Agent 10% 5%
New Jersey
State Farm IL 13.46%
NJ Dept. of
Insurance 10% 5%
Allstate Ins Grp 12.87%
NJ Dept. of
Insurance 5% 2%
Chubb & Son INC 9.14%
NJ Dept. of
Insurance 15% 0%
Palisades Grp (High Point
Preferred Ins. Co. 7.34%
NJ Dept. of
Insurance 15% 10%
New Jersey Manufacturers 6.41%
NJ Dept. of
Insurance 15% 8%
New Mexico
State Farm IL 25.90% State Farm 10% 5%
Zurich Ins Grp (Farmers Ins Grp) 20.58% Farmers 10% 5%
Allstate Ins Grp 16.64% Allstate 10% 0
New York
Allstate Ins Grp 20.12% Allstate 10% 0
State Farm IL 20.12% State Farm 10% 5%
Chubb & Son INC 9.59% Chubb & Son 15% 0
North Carolina
State Farm IL 18.73%
NC Dept. of
Insurance 13% 7%
Nationwide Corp 16.11%
NC Dept. of
Insurance 13% 7%
NC Farm Bureau Ins Grp 13.43%
NC Dept. of
Insurance 13% 7%
Allstate Ins Grp 10.19%
NC Dept. of
Insurance 13% 7%
North Dakota
State Farm IL 18.52% State Farm 10% 5%
American Family Ins Grp 17.10% American Family 10% 10%
Auto Owners Grp 8.81% Ins. Agent 10% 5%
Ohio
State Farm IL 21.80%
OH Dept. of
Insurance 10% 5%
Nationwide Corp 10.86%
OH Dept. of
Insurance 0 0
Allstate Ins Grp 10.21%
OH Dept. of
Insurance 10% 0
Grange Mut Cas 5.31%
OH Dept. of
Insurance 4% 1%
Residential Fire Sprinklers
27
Oklahoma
State Farm IL 26.28% State Farm 10% 5%
Zurich Ins Grp (Farmers Ins Grp) 19.58% Farmers 10% 5%
Allstate Ins Grp 8.56% Allstate 2% 0
Oregon
State Farm IL 25.20% State Farm 10% 5%
Zurich Ins Grp (Farmers Ins Grp) 19.12% Farmers 10% 5%
Allstate Ins Grp 10.99% Allstate 4% 0
Pennsylvania
State Farm IL 18.78% State Farm 10% 5%
Allstate Ins Grp 15.32% Allstate 10% 0
Erie Ins Grp 13.42% Ins. Agent 10% 0
Nationwide Corp 10.06% Nationwide 10% 5%
Rhode Island
Amica Mut Grp 11.52% Ins. Agent 13% 8%
Allstate Ins Grp 11.22% Allstate 10% 0
Nationwide Corp 9.26% Nationwide 0 0
Liberty Mut Grp 9.02% Ins. Agent 13% 8%
South Carolina
State Farm IL 25.98% State Farm 10% 5%
Allstate Ins Grp 15.49% Allstate 10% 0
Nationwide Corp 9.10% Nationwide 0 0
South Dakota
State Farm IL 19.94%
SD Dept. of
Insurance 10% 5%
American Family Ins Grp 17.20%
SD Dept. of
Insurance 10% 10%
Farmers Mut Ins Co of NE 7.76%
SD Dept. of
Insurance 10% 10%
Zurich Ins Grp (Farmers Ins Grp) 7.70% Sd Dept. of Insurance 10% 5%
Tennessee
State Farm IL 26.06% State Farm 10% 5%
Tenn Farmers Mut 17.39% Ins. Agent 5% 2%
Allstate Ins Grp 11.40% Allstate 4% 0
Texas
State Farm Mutual Group 29.26% State Farm 10% 5%
Allstate Ins Grp 17.35% Allstate 2% 0
Zurich Ins Grp (Farmers Ins Grp) 11.19% Farmers 10% 5%
Utah
State Farm IL 20.82% State Farm 10% 5%
Allstate Ins Grp 19.95% Allstate 3% 0
Zurich Ins Grp (Farmers Ins Grp) 16.81% Farmers 10% 5%
Vermont5
Co-Operative Ins Co 10.43% Ins. Agent 3% 0
State Farm IL 7.97% State Farm 10% 5%
Allstate Ins Grp 7.57% Allstate 4% 0
Liberty Mut Grp 6.54% Ins. Agent 13% 8%
Chubb & Son INC 5.27% Chubb & Son 15% 0
Nationwide Corp 4.67% Nationwide 0% 0
Virginia
State Farm Fire and Casualty
Insurance Co. (NAIC # 25143) 21.67%
VA Dept. of
Insurance 10% 5%
Allstate Ins Grp (NAIC # 19232) 13.00%
VA Dept. of
Insurance 10% 0
United Services Auto Assoc
(NAIC # 25941) 11.95%
VA Dept. of
Insurance 8% 8%
Nationwide Corp (NAIC#
23779) 11.82%
VA Dept. of
Insurance 0 0
ST Paul Travelers Grp 11.74%
VA Dept. of
Insurance 5% 2%
Washington
State Farm IL 18.11% State Farm 10% 5%
Zurich Ins Grp (Farmers Ins Grp) 17.08% Farmers 10% 5%
Allstate Ins Grp 13.55% Allstate 10% 0
Safeco Ins Grp 9.29% Ins. Agent 7% 4%
Residential Fire Sprinklers
28
West Virginia
State Farm IL 25.74%
WV Dept. of
Insurance 10% 5%
Nationwide Corp 19.39%
WV Dept. of
Insurance 0 0
Erie Ins Grp 12.67%
WV Dept. of
Insurance 0 0
Wisconsin
American Family Ins Grp 25.94% American Family 10% 10%
State Farm IL 15.47% State Farm 10% 5%
Allstate Ins Grp 4.43% Allstate 4% 0
Wyoming State Farm IL 25.79% State Farm 10% 5%
Zurich Ins Grp (Farmers Ins Grp) 16.91% Farmers 10% 5%
1. Class A: Automatic Sprinklers in all areas including bathroom, attics, closets, andattached structures.
2. Class B: Automatic Sprinklers totally or partially omitted in bathroom, attics, closets, and attached structures.
From: http://www.nahb.org/generic.aspx?genericContentID=82243