Fire safety and prevention tips

By: Purvi Desai
   The New Jersey Fire Sprinkler Advisory Board advises state residents to remember National Fire Prevention Week, which begins Oct. 8, and take time to check smoke detectors to ensure they are working properly and have full battery power.
   "You should have at least one smoke alarm for each floor of your house, with one placed centrally near the kitchen and one placed in the upstairs main hallway," according to the NJFSAB. "It’s recommended that you check the batteries in your smoke alarms when its time to turn the clocks forward or backward."
   Further, the NJFSAB states to "keep an up-to-date list of emergency fire, police and medical phone numbers near your telephone.
   "Show every member of your family where this information is kept and teach all children how to call for help in case of an emergency," according to the release. "Develop an escape plan with your family from multiple rooms within your home, both upstairs and downstairs."
   This week and throughout the year, people should take the time to review their escape plan with their family, including a practice fire drill, the NJFSAB advises.
   "In your plan, select a meeting place outside your residence that’s a safe distance away from the property where you can be easily spotted by fire and other emergency professionals," according to the release. "For second floor bedrooms, we recommend purchasing a chain-link safety ladder that’s kept close to the windows and easily accessible."
   Residents should ensure the address number on their houses is free from obstructions and debris, and can be read clearly from 20 or more feet away, the NJFSAB states, and to make sure the windows in children’s rooms are well marked to indicate them to firefighters.
   "Keep flammable liquids free from heating sources, and store them in a cool location," according to the board. "Also, keep them separate from other stored items such as paper products and cloth materials. Keep a watchful eye on space heaters, and make sure there is at least 3 feet of clear space around them when in operation. Do not leave a space heater on unattended."
   Lastly, the NJFSAB advises people to consider researching and investing in residential fire sprinklers to protect their family and property. "If your residence has fire sprinklers, ensure that they are inspected periodically by trained professionals," according to the board.
   NJFSAB Executive Director Vincent Fichera said it takes only one or two sprinklers to contain a small fire, and less water than most people think.
   In 2005, as a result of fire, 3,695 people lost their lives, 87 firefighters killed while on duty, 17,925 civilians were injured, 1.6 million fires reported, and direct property loss was estimated at $10.6 billion, according to the NJFSAB.
   In the U.S., a home structure fire is reported every 79 seconds, and someone dies from a home fire every 143 minutes. Residential fires account for 74 percent of all reported civilian fire injuries and 63 percent of total reported direct property damage. Of all residential fires, 63 percent of them are one or two family dwellings and 30 percent are multifamily dwellings.
   In residential properties, most fires originate in the kitchen, according to the NJFSAB. Roughly half of all home fire deaths resulted from fires reported between the hours of 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. However, only one-fifth, or 21 percent, of home fires occurred between those hours.
   In 2005, fires reported in homes across the U.S. resulted in $6.6 billion in direct property damage, according to the NJFSAB. Residential fires represent 40 percent of all fires in the state, higher than any other type of fire.
   There are some common myths about fire sprinklers that the NJFSAB dispelled in its press release. The myth that smoke sets off fire sprinklers is not true. "Sprinklers are activated by heat, not smoke," according to the NJSFAB. "In fact, the heat necessary to set off your average sprinkler is anywhere from 135 to 150 degrees, in other words only the kind of heat a fire would create."
   It’s also not true that a fire sets off all the fire sprinklers in a dwelling. "Only sprinkler heads in proximity to a fire, those activated by the heat of the fire, go off,’ according to the NJFSAB. "In 81percent of structure fires, only one or two sprinkler heads activated."
   Fire sprinklers do not cause excessive water damage. "The average sprinkler only produces 25 gallons of water per minute, versus 250 gallons produced by a fire hose," according to the NJFSAB. "In structures with fire sprinklers, the average property loss by fire is cut by one-half to two-thirds, and in some cases even more, than structures without. In most cases, structures without fire sprinklers are heavily or completely destroyed by the mix of fire and water damaged caused by fire hoses."
   The myth that fire sprinklers are expensive is not entirely true. "Nationally, fire sprinklers cost 1to 2 percent, on average, of total building costs. In New Jersey – because of construction, property and other industry factors – this amount may be closer to between 2 and 4 percent. Overall, the cost of installing fire sprinklers is comparable to installing carpeting or cabinets.
   Fire sprinklers cost an average new development between $2 to $4 per square foot, Mr. Fichera said, adding that it totals approximately between $4,000 and $5,000 to install them in a home, "which is less than you spend on rugs and house accessories."
   "When fire sprinklers are installed in new structures, there are opportunities to decrease the costs even further. In addition, most insurance companies provide discounts to businesses and homeowners that have fire sprinklers, which compounded over time can pay back the costs," according to NJFSAB.
   Lastly, fire sprinklers are not unsightly.
   "Modern advances in fire sprinkler technology in the past several years has enabled designers and architects to install fire sprinklers into homes, residential properties and businesses in ways that are aesthetically pleasing and concealing," according to the NJFSAB. "In fact, most people do not even notice that the building or room they are in is protected by fire sprinklers until they are pointed out."