Tinley Park, IL (September 22, 2023) – As part of national Fire Prevention Week, the Northern Illinois Fire Sprinkler Advisory Board (NIFSAB) is teaming up with fire departments in the greater Chicago region to conduct live burn demonstrations at their open house events.

These dramatic and effective demonstrations will show the public how fast fires can become deadly, while conveying the crucial benefits of fire sprinklers. Fire Prevention Week runs from October 8 to 14 and this year’s theme is: “Cooking safety starts with You. Pay attention to fire prevention.”

In the side-by-side fire and sprinkler burn demonstrations, two similarly furnished rooms, each with smoke alarms, will be set on fire. One room will feature a single fire sprinkler, the other room will not. Attendees will be able to feel the extreme heat and see the rapid spread of fire in the unsprinklered room and contrast it with how quickly the sprinkler responds and controls or extinguishes the fire in the other room.

Besides these up close and personal demonstrations, fire departments will discuss typical fire department response times, the importance of working smoke alarms, and well-practiced escape plans.

“Because today’s homes tend to have open designs and furniture and other contents made from petroleum-based plastics and synthetic materials, a fire can turn deadly in less than two minutes,” said NIFSAB Executive Director Erik Hoffer.  “These fires burn hotter and faster than years ago while also producing more deadly, toxic smoke. With these demonstrations, people can see how fast the entire room ignites and reaches flashover, which not even firefighters in their full gear can survive. Simultaneously, they can see how heat automatically activates a fire sprinkler, stopping the fire from becoming deadly and giving people precious time to evacuate.”

There are more than 115 Illinois communities that have ordinances or codes requiring fire sprinklers in all new construction homes. Fire sprinklers not only help safeguard occupants and property, they also protect the lives of first responders.

Home fire sprinklers have controlled or extinguished thousands of cooking fires over the years, but the best strategy is to prevent these fires from starting in the first place. Cooking is the leading cause of home fires by far, accounting for about half of all U.S. home fires. During Fire Prevention Week, fire departments will also be educating their communities about the simple but crucial actions they can take when cooking to keep themselves and those around
them safe.

Below is a list of upcoming fire and sprinkler burn demonstrations. Please contact NIFSAB or the fire departments for more details.

Saturday, September 23:
Des Plaines Fire Department
Glenview Fire Department
Naperville Fire Department
Pleasantview Fire Protection District
West Dundee Fire Department

Sunday, September 24:
Mundelein Fire Department

Saturday, September 30:
Buffalo Grove Fire Department
Itasca Fire Protection District
Lemont Fire Protection District

Sunday, October 1:
Lockport Township Fire Protection District

Monday, October 2:
Moraine Valley Community College -Fire Service Program

Wednesday, October 4:
Warrenville Fire Protection District

Saturday, October 7:
Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Fire Protection District
Aurora Regional Fire Museum
Darien-Woodridge Fire Protection District
Elk Grove Village Fire Department
Evanston Fire Department
Hammond (Indiana) Fire Department
Hoffman Estates Fire Department
La Grange Park Fire Department
Lansing Fire Department
Norwood Park Fire Protection District
Palatine Fire Department
Roberts Park Fire Protection District
Schaumburg Fire Department

Sunday, October 8:
Countryside Fire Protection District

Monday, October 9:
Western Springs Fire Department

Tuesday, October 10:
La Grange Fire Department

Wednesday, October 11:
Chicago Ridge Fire Department

Friday, October 13:
Beecher Fire Protection District

Saturday, October 14:
Batavia Fire Department
Bolingbrook Fire Department
Hillside Fire Department
Hinsdale Fire Department
Hobart (Indiana) Fire Department
Hoffman Estates Fire Department
Homewood Fire Department
Lake Bluff Fire Department
Northbrook Fire Department
Richton Park Fire Department
Rolling Meadows Fire Department
Romeoville Fire Department
St. Charles Fire Department
Streamwood Fire Department
Villa Park Fire Department
Wauconda Fire Protection District

Sunday, October 15:
Forest View Fire Department

Saturday, October 21:
Hoffman Estates Fire Department
Oswego Fire Protection District

Sunday, October 22:
Bloomingdale Fire Protection District

Monday, October 23:
Hampshire Fire Protection District

Saturday, October 28:
Highland Park Fire Department

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