HFSC Increases Stipend Offer. Now 60 U.S. Fire Departments Will Receive $500 For Local Home Fire Sprinkler Education

Stipends can be used to build or refurbish a side-by-side burn demonstration.

Sign up Today!

The deadline to apply is March 6, 2020.

February 17, 2020, Frankfort, IL – The Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition (HFSC) has increased the number of $500 stipends offered to U.S. fire departments thanks to additional donations from HFSC founding members American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and National Fire Sprinkler Association (NFSA). The original program offered 20 stipends through grant funding from State Farm. HFSC’s founding members stepped up their contributions to further support the fire service. The stipends will be awarded to qualifying fire departments to support local community outreach.

The stipends are being rolled out ahead of Home Fire Sprinkler Week, which will take place across North America May 17-23, 2020. Co-Sponsored by HFSC and the NFPA Fire Sprinkler Initiative, the week emphasizes the dangers of home fires to residents and firefighters and promotes the importance of building new homes with automatic fire sprinklers.

The stipends will help fire departments of any size or type conduct educational demonstrations. The funds can be used to build a portable, full-scale home fire sprinkler riser display, build or refurbish a side-by-side home fire sprinkler and flashover unit or produce an educational banner. HFSC has comprehensive online guidelines that describe materials, construction and outreach strategies to create these powerful and reusable teaching resources.

“With fire service activities concentrated on these important points during a single week each year, we are able to significantly boost interest and awareness among the public, the media and local officials,” says HFSC President Lorraine Carli, vice president of Outreach and Advocacy for NFPA. “This is essential because eight of 10 fire deaths in the U.S. occur in home fires.”

Although the number of reported fires has decreased over the past 40 years, you are more likely to die in a fire today than you were in 1980. “Today’s home fires burn hotter and faster yet loss can be significantly reduced with sprinklers,” Carli adds. “We could practically eliminate fire deaths in future years if every home had sprinklers.”

To qualify, applicants must be current members of the free Built for Life Fire Department Program (BFLFD), developed by HFSC in the 1990s to help the fire service improve local home fire sprinkler education. They will also be required to describe their plan to use and evaluate their awards. Join the BFLFD Program and apply for a stipend. The deadline to apply is March 6, 2020.

A similar stipend program is under way in Canada, with underwriting from HFSC’s Canadian partner The Co-Operators.

Now in its third year, Home Fire Sprinkler Week has become popular with fire departments in the US and Canada and HFSC anticipates widespread participation again in 2020. “The public education work the fire departments will do with these valuable stipends is essential and it will help make Home Fire Sprinkler Week 2020 an educational and motivational success,” Carli says. “We are appreciative of the strong support of the fire service, the HFSC Board of Directors, and our partners State Farm and The Co-Operators.”

Learn more about Home Fire Sprinkler Week and follow HFSC activities on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/HFSCorg

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/homefiresprinklercoalition/

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/HFSCorg and in Canada https://twitter.com/HFSCinCanada

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Lisa2023-06-22T14:41:59-05:00February 17th, 2020|Comments Off

Register for NFSA’s Annual Seminar in Phoenix: April 29 – May 1

Registration is open. Sign up today to secure your spot. Space is limited and availability is on a first-come, first-served policy for this event. You won’t want to miss it, and we hope you’ll assemble your team and join our excitement!

JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa
5350 E Marriott Drive
Phoenix, Arizona

For more information and to register go to: https://nfsa.org/annual-seminar/

See Conference Brochure: NFSA Conference 2020 Phoenix

Lisa2020-02-17T16:01:42-06:00February 17th, 2020|Comments Off

Reserve Your Fire Sprinkler Demo – 2020 Dates Are Filling Up

With 85 side-by-side and burn trailer demonstrations completed in 2019, we expect another busy year in 2020, especially around Fire Prevention Month in October. Book your demonstration as early as possible in the year as dates are starting to fill up.

Download Flyers Here:

RB2727-NIFSAB-FLYER-Side-by-Side-Demos_v3-X1a

RB2727-NIFSAB-FLYER-Demo-Trailers_v3-X1a

Lisa2020-01-07T16:41:59-06:00January 7th, 2020|Comments Off

Fire Sprinkler Saves (Winter Edition 2019-2020)

March 2020

Residents Safely Evacuate After Fire Sprinklers Control High-Rise Kitchen Fire

EVANSTON, IL (March 7, 2020) – Fire sprinklers contained a fire in a kitchen on the 11^th floor of the 24-story Park Evanston apartment tower at 1630 Chicago Avenue. The fire started shortly after 7 p.m. Fire crews extinguished the fire. Occupants safely evacuated. No injuries were reported.

Source: Evanston Now and Chicago Sun Times

Fire Sprinklers Extinguish Fire at Distribution Center

OGLESBY, IL (March 6, 2020) – Fire sprinklers extinguished an early morning fire at Advantage Logistics, a distribution center on Mallik Road in Oglesby Friday. A forklift caught fire while being charged. There were no injuries.

As a precaution a mutual aid request was put out to Peru, Tonica and Utica Fire Departments.

Source: LCBC Radio

February 2020

Fire Sprinkler Controls Cooking Fire At Senior Rehabilitation Center

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL (February 29, 2020) – A fire sprinklers controlled a cooking fire at The Moorings, a short-term senior rehabilitation center in Arlington Heights. Arlington Heights and Mt. Prospect fire departments responded and found a cooking spread and activated a sprinkler. No injuries were reported.

Source: Fire Sprinkler Save web form

Fire Sprinklers Stop a Fire from Spreading in a Palatine Apartment Building

PALATINE, IL (February 29, 2020) – Two fire sprinklers extinguished a fire in an apartment bathroom early Saturday morning.

Firefighters were called to the apartment building located on the 1100 block of North Sterling Avenue in Palatine. Upon arrival they found moderate smoke and the two activated fire sprinklers. The fire was limited to the bathroom.

There were no injuries and the cause of the fire is under investigation.

Source: Daily Herald

Fire Sprinkler Stops Fire From Spreading in West Dundee Apartment

WEST DUNDEE, IL (February 21, 2020) – A fire sprinkler prevented a fire from spreading into a second floor apartment located at Canterfield Parkway in West Dundee. According to a press release issued from the village, residents heard the alarm after furniture located on the balcony caught on fire. All residents evacuated by the time firefighters arrived. Authorities believe careless use of smoking material caused the fire. No one was injured.

Source: Daily Herald

Fire Sprinklers Stop Fire From Spreading in Chicago High-Rise Loading Dock

CHICAGO, IL (February 13, 2020) – Fire sprinklers prevented a fire from spreading in a loading dock at Lake Shore Plaza, a 38-story residential high-rise building in Chicago’s Streeterville neighborhood.

Fire Sprinkler Saves Deerfield Condominium from Extensive Damage

DEERFIELD, IL (February 2, 2020) – A single fire sprinkler extinguished a fire in a unit at Coromandel Condominiums on Kelburn Road in Deerfield. According to Fire Marshal Brian McCarthy, Deerfield Bannockburn Fire Protection District, the fire started in the interior compartment of a furnace located in a small closet. The sprinkler in the closet activated and extinguished the fire before the fire department arrived. Four occupants were able to safely escape.

“The sprinkler activated and operated as designed and completely extinguished the fire, which prevented the fire from spreading into concealed spaces. The fire alarm activated which lead to the safe evacuation of the building,” McCarthy said.

Because of the sprinkler activation, extensive damage was prevented. McCarthy estimated the amount saved to be in excess of $1,000,000.

Source: Save-A-Day form. Brian McCarthy, Deerfield Bannockburn Fire Protection District.

January 2020

Fire Sprinklers Save Animals At Orland Park Pet Store

ORLAND PARK, IL (January 28, 2020) – Fire sprinklers prevented a fire from spreading, saving animals at Chicago Fish and Coral Company in Orland Park. According to Ray Hanania, spokesperson for the Orland Park Fire Protection District, fire sprinklers activated after the fire started, firefighters extinguished a small fire when they arrived. All animals were safe and in good condition.

The store’s owner said the fire stemmed from a chiller near a fish tank. The shop was expected to open two days after the fire.

Source: Chicago Sun Times

Fire Sprinklers Control Fire at Retirement Community

ELMHURST, IL (January 21, 2020) – According to Tri-State Fire Alerts, a fire sprinkler controlled a fire on the 5^th floor at 1050 S. Euclid in Elmhurst. Park Place is an independent retirement community.

Source: Tri-State Fire Alerts FB post

Fire Sprinkler Controls Apartment Dryer Fire

EVANSTON, IL (January 12, 2020) – A fire sprinkler controlled a dryer fire at The Reserve apartments in Evanston. According to the Evanston Fire Department, a fire involving a clothes dryer activated the sprinkler preventing the fire from spreading. No injuries were reported.

Source: Fire Sprinkler Save web form

Fire Sprinklers Help Extinguish a Fire in a Department Store Fitting Room

SPRINGFIELD, IL (January 5, 2020) – Fire crews were dispatched to Gordman’s department store in Springfield, January 5 at 12:15p.m. Upon arrival, firefighters found a fire above and inside a dressing room. According to Springfield Fire Chief Allen Reyne, the fire was extinguished within minutes from fire sprinklers and the fire department.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Source: News Channel ABC20

Fire Sprinklers Stop a Fire From Spreading in Historic Chicago High-Rise

CHICAGO, IL (January 4, 2020) – According to the Chicago Fire Department, a fire sprinkler kept a fire in check in a compactor room at the Midwest Apartment high-rise located at 6 North Hamlin Boulevard. According to the Midwest Apartment website, this historic national landmark was once a prominent athletic club and hotel.

Source: Chicago Fire Department Media

Fire Sprinkler Protects Resident in Rockford Apartment Fire

ROCKFORD, IL (January 4, 2020) – Fire sprinklers prevented a kitchen fire in an apartment from becoming deadly allowing the resident to safely escape.

At approximately 6:30 p.m. January 4, Rockford fire crews said the occupant of the unit at the nine-story Valkommen Plaza Apartments, located at 310 7^th Street, initially reported that they were unable to escape. A fire sprinkler activated, keeping the fire from spreading, protecting the resident and preventing any further damage to the building.

There were no reported injuries and the cause of the fire is under investigation.

Source: WTVO 17ABC

December 2019

Fire Sprinklers Prevent a Fire From Spreading in Walmart on New Year’s Eve

HARRISBURG, IL (December 31, 2019) – Fire sprinklers contained a fire inside Walmart in Harrisburg on New Year’s Eve. According to Harrisburg Fire Chief John Gunning, the fire started at around 11:30 p.m. and was located on a shelving unit in the middle of the store. The State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating.

Fire crews with Carrier Mills, Equality and Shawneetown assisted at the scene with mutual aid. They all left the scene around 2:30 a.m. on January 1, 2020. The store was back open and operational 3 days later.

There were no injuries.

Source: KFVS12

Fire Controlled in Older Apartment Building Retrofit with Fire Sprinklers

EVANSTON, IL (December 22, 2019) – Firefighters credit fire sprinklers for keeping a bedroom fire from becoming deadly in a three-story apartment building in Evanston on Sunday.

Shortly after 3:15 p.m., Evanston Fire Department crews arrived at the building located on the corner of Barton Avenue and Cleveland Street where they heard fire alarms and residents were evacuating. Firefighters went through a smoke-filled hallway to a bedroom where a fire sprinkler prevented the fire from spreading. Firefighters extinguished the remaining fire.

The five-unit brick building was built in 1928. When the management company rehabbed the building an audible alarm and fire sprinkler system were retrofit bringing the building up to code with current city ordinances.

“The fire alarm and sprinkler system worked exactly as designed, saving both lives and property,” said Chief Brian Scott.

Source: The Patch, Evanston, IL

Fire Sprinklers Prevent Fire From Spreading in 114-Year-Old Country Club

HARWOOD HEIGHTS, IL (December 21, 2019) – Firefighters credit fire sprinklers for preventing a kitchen fire from spreading at the Ridgemoor Country Club in Harwood Heights.

According to Fire Marshal Leigh Unger, Norwood Park Fire Protection District, two sprinklers activated and controlled the fire until first units arrived. Companies extinguished the remaining fire and began overhaul operations. Fire sprinklers and fire companies together saved a 114-year-old structure that could have resulted in more than $17 million in damages. No injuries were reported.

Source: Fire Marshal Leigh Unger, Norwood Park Fire Protection District

Fire Sprinkler Extinguishes Kitchen Fire in 53-Story Senior High-Rise

CHICAGO, IL (December, 2019) – A fire sprinkler extinguished a kitchen fire on the 26^th floor of a 53-story high-rise building. The Clare, 55 E. Pearson Street, is a senior independent living community in Chicago’s Gold Coast neighborhood.

According to Gavin Hansen, F.E. Moran, they received a call about a kitchen fire. A sprinkler extinguished what looked like a stove fire. F.E. Moran installed the system 10 years ago and provided service and inspections ever since. According to the work order, they needed to replace the sprinkler so the system could be returned to service.

Source: Gavin Hansen, F.E. Moran

Fire Sprinklers Control a Fire at SouthPark Mall

MOLINE, IL (December 16, 2019) – Four fire sprinklers activated and controlled a fire that started inside the Fig Tree bookstore in SouthPark Mall in Moline.

According to Fire Marshal Jerry Spiegel, the fire started just after 11 a.m. Monday, December 16. Incense was left burning and the ashes fell into a cardboard box. Sprinklers contained most of the fire until crews arrived. There were no injuries.

The anchor stores, JCPenney, Dillards and Von Maur opened from the outside, according to mall management.

Source: https://wqad.com/2019/12/16/south-park-mall-evacuated-for-fire/

Fire Sprinklers Stop Fire From Spreading at Sycamore Menards

SYCAMORE, IL (December 16, 2019) – Fire sprinklers controlled a fire that started on a display shelf in the lighting department at Menards in Sycamore. Fire crews responded to a call at 2:22 a.m. at the big-box store at 1825 Mercantile Drive.

According to a post on the Sycamore Fire Department’s Facebook page, “We were very fortunate that the building’s fire sprinkler system provided both the initial notification of a fire alarm as well as kept the fire from spreading significantly beyond the area of origin.” Firefighters were able to control the flames within 15 minutes. There were no injuries reported.

View the report at: https://www.daily-chronicle.com/2019/12/16/fire-smoke-monday-at-menards/az61ybb/?utm_medium=DCFacebook&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwAR0arE-j8kzyZq9Pv_QkhEz5r6j3U2_uqAbUiWLkJ-3-iSnOg1TiMr9UXPg

@Sycamoreilfire on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/sycamoreilfire/

Source: Sycamore Fire Department Facebook and the Daily Chronicle

Lisa2021-06-15T14:15:47-05:00December 18th, 2019|Comments Off

Frankfort Home Retrofit with Fire Sprinklers

Erik explains the water supply connections to Palos Park Chief Building Inspector Bob Adams.

ORLAND PARK, IL (November 27, 2019) – When Erik Hoffer, the Executive Director of the Northern Illinois Fire Sprinkler Advisory Board (NIFSAB), bought an existing home in Frankfort, he knew he would have it retrofit with home fire sprinklers before he and his family would move in.

“There are only a few homes in Frankfort that are protected with home fire sprinklers, so we weren’t able to find a sprinklered one,” he said. “Protecting our home and family with sprinklers was essential for us, but it also presented an important educational opportunity for our community.”

“Due to fire sprinkler myths that are on full display in television shows and movies, most people are not aware that fire sprinklers are individually heat activated and, therefore, do not all activate at once,” added Hoffer.

While the walls were still open and the fire sprinkler piping visible, Erik and his wife Karah held an open house to introduce their home to neighbors, elected officials, building officials, real estate agents and members of the fire service so they could see and learn about the system.

With daughters ages two and four years old, the priority for the Hoffers is protecting their family. Fire safety, in particular, is top of mind for Hoffer, who has spent 12 years of his career working with safety organizations developing educational campaigns, including fire sprinkler awareness. He joined NIFSAB two years ago as Field Operations Local Coordinator. In September, he was promoted to Executive Director.

“My role is to educate the various groups about the dangers of unwanted fire and the important life-safety role of fire sprinklers. I’ve had the opportunity to help area fire departments conduct live fire demonstrations that compare rooms with and without fire sprinklers. I’ve seen firsthand how quickly fire becomes deadly and how a single fire sprinkler can contain a fire or extinguish it. With my work advocating for fire sprinklers, there was no question I wanted to be able to say ‘yes’ when asked if I have sprinklers in my own home,” Hoffer said.

During the Hoffers’ open house, representatives from the nonprofit educational group Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition and the National Fire Sprinkler Association set up displays and offered educational information to guests. A representative from United States Alliance Fire Protection, the contractor that retrofit the home, was also available to answer installation questions.

Hoffer said he was very pleased with the turnout. “The village of Frankfort’s Mayor Jim Holland and Trustee Margaret Farina attended and asked a lot of questions. It was nice to have their interest and show them our new sprinklered home,” he said. “It was great to see fire officials from Frankfort and neighboring communities and meet some of our new neighbors.”

Typically, fire sprinklers are installed when a home is being built. Hoffer worked with USA Fire Protection because they also have experience retrofitting existing homes. The retrofit project took just over a week. The system also includes a strobe alarm mounted outside the home and an alarm inside the home. Hoffer said other than a few holes in some walls that need to be patched and some clean-up work, the family can move in to their fire-safe home.

“It will be nice to enjoy the holiday season in our new home. Now that we will be living in a sprinklered home, we will have peace of mind year-round.”

Frankfort Trustee Margaret Farina learns about the benefits of residential fire sprinklers.

NFPA 13D system with a residential fire pump assembly.

Left to right: Jen Peterson (USA Fire Protection), Marny McNitt (Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition, Frankfort Trustee Margaret Farina, Frankfort Mayor Jim Holland, Erik Hoffer (NIFSAB), Lisa Woodward (Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition).

USA Fire Protection’s Jen Peterson explains a sidewall sprinkler to some residents from the neighborhood.

Showing a concealed pendent fire sprinkler to a couple of REALTORS®.

Erik’s daughter’s Makenna and Madison lend a helping hand at the Open House.

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Lisa2019-11-27T14:49:11-06:00November 27th, 2019|Comments Off

LIVE Fire Sprinkler Demo/Christmas Tree Safety Story

Saturday, Nov. 23, 8:50 a.m. (ET)
FOX & FRIENDS, FOX News Cable Channel

NFSA President Shane Ray will be joined by Common Voices advocate Sher Grogg in a live segment that will highlight the importance of fire sprinklers and holiday fire safety. Sher lost six members of her family in a fire in 2015 that started with the Christmas tree.

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Lisa2019-11-22T12:52:38-06:00November 22nd, 2019|Comments Off

Aurora Regional Fire Museum Showcases Fire Sprinklers in New Home and Life Safety Exhibition

Aurora Regional Fire Museum, Aurora, IL

The Aurora Regional Fire Museum located in Aurora, Illinois, is preparing for its grand opening of a new exhibition which includes fire sprinklers as a part of the museum’s home and life safety educational initiative. The exhibition, titled “Staying Safe: From Firehouse to Your House,” is an educational experience that incorporates a variety of elements related to home and life safety. The exhibit will provide visitors with an understanding of how fire can affect their families, and will demonstrate how they can safeguard their homes and families from fires in the home and in their surroundings. Visitors will also be able to identify the latest in fire safety technologies.

“This new exhibit provides an opportunity to bring together modern and historical information on fire and life safety. We were able to bring in pieces of the collection that show how the Aurora Fire Department taught fire prevention to school-aged children as well as contemporary and practical information related to fire safety,” said Brian Failing, Executive Director.

The “Staying Safe” exhibition focuses in part on home fire sprinkler protection. To demonstrate how a home fire sprinkler system looks and works in a home, a mini-house shows what a fire sprinkler system looks like behind the walls – from incoming water riser to the fire sprinklers themselves. Also in the house are multiple educational videos and a display that showcases two fire sprinklers with water running through them.

The “Staying Safe” exhibit had a soft opening leading into National Fire Prevention Week when the Museum hosted a Community Hero Day and Touch-a-Truck event on October 5. The event, which was attended by more than 800 people, provided the community with fire and safety education in a fun way. The goal was that children and families leave with a better understanding of fire safety. At the center of fire safety education at the Community Hero Day event was a fire sprinkler demonstration trailer, where the public could witness firsthand how quickly a fire sprinkler extinguishes a trash can fire.

In conjunction with the Aurora Regional Chamber of Commerce, there will be a Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting of the “Staying Safe: From Firehouse to Your House” on Friday, November 15, from 3:30-5:30 p.m., with the ribbon-cutting occurring at 4:00 p.m.

The Aurora Regional Fire Museum is a museum that preserves and exhibits the artifacts and history of Aurora and surrounding area fire departments. The museum originally opened in October of 1968 and was run by the fire department for the first 20 years of its existence. In 1988, it became the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that it still is today.

Fire Sprinkler Display

Staying Safe Ribbon Nov 15-1

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Lisa2019-11-22T12:54:25-06:00November 11th, 2019|Comments Off

More than 100 Homes Now Protected with Home Fire Sprinklers in the Village of Roselle

Pictured above from the Roselle Village Board: Wayne Domke, Heather Pransky, Clerk Patty Burns, David Pileski, Bruce Berkshire, Patrick Devitt, Mayor Andy Maglio, NIFSAB’s Erik Hoffer, Lee Trejo, Chief Daniel Anderson and Fire Marshal Robert Morris.

Ten years ago, the Village of Roselle adopted an ordinance that requires all new homes and homes that undergo additions of 50 percent or greater to be protected with home fire sprinklers. Now, the village, along with the surrounding unincorporated area within the Roselle Fire Department’s jurisdiction, has experienced a milestone with more than 100 homes protected with the lifesaving technology. To recognize the achievement, the Northern Illinois Fire Sprinkler Advisory Board presented the village board members and fire officials with a plaque at their village board meeting October 28.

“Kudos to then Fire Marshal Tom Biscan and administrators who had the foresight ten years ago to require residential fire sprinkler systems to protect current and future citizens and occupants,” said Fire Marshal Bob Morris.

Over the years, the Roselle Fire Department has conducted side-by-side fire and sprinkler burn demonstrations annually during its fire safety open house at the fire department to educate the public about how home fire sprinklers work. Morris said the demonstrations are important. He said a member of the fire department overheard a resident comment that after seeing the demonstration, he understands why installing fire sprinklers in his home was required.

Morris also mentioned that some of the homes in the district are on a well and not using the municipal water supply. That doesn’t hinder the fact that a fire sprinkler system can be installed.

The Village of Roselle is one of more than 110 communities in Illinois that require home fire sprinklers. Congratulations to the Village of Roselle for more than 100 homes that are sprinkler protected, and to all the communities for taking action to protect their citizens.

Roselle Mayor Andy Maglio accepts the recognition plaque from Erik Hoffer/NIFSAB.

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Lisa2019-11-22T12:55:16-06:00November 8th, 2019|Comments Off

FREE seminar for all Building Owners, Property Managers or Building Engineers

4-Hour / Inspection and Testing for the Building Owner

Date: October 23, 2019

Location: Lewis University, 1111 W. 22nd Street, Oak Brook, IL

Time: 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

Register at: https://members.nfsa.org/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=1261318

Questions?
Contact Bob Tinucci, NFSA Illinois State Coordinator
[email protected]
Cell: 630-514-1601

Download flyer:
ITMForBldgOwner-Mgr’s10-23-19

Lisa2019-10-04T11:34:39-05:00October 4th, 2019|Comments Off

Fire Departments Use Live Fire Demonstrations To Teach About Fire Prevention

Illinois fire official Mike Figolah narrates a fire and sprinkler burn demonstration.

Orland Park, IL (October 1, 2019) – The Northern Illinois Fire Sprinkler Advisory Board (NIFSAB) is assisting local fire departments in conducting live burn demonstrations to educate the public about how quickly fires can become deadly, as well as the important life-and property-saving benefits of fire sprinklers. The events are centered around National Fire Prevention Week, which runs October 6 to 12.

The demonstrations provide a side-by-side comparison with two similarly furnished rooms — only one with a fire sprinkler installed in the room. Audiences will be able to feel the extreme heat and view the quick growth of fire in the unprotected room and compare it with the quick response and cooling action of the fire sprinkler in the other room. The demonstrations also allow fire departments to talk to attendees about pre-fire planning, smoke alarms, and escape plans.

“These demonstrations provide a dramatic visualization of the speed at which fire grows due to the high flammability of synthetic furnishings in today’s homes, but they also prove how fast fire sprinklers respond to fire and control or extinguish it,” says fire safety advocate and NIFSAB Executive Director Erik Hoffer. “It’s important that homeowners understand that fire sprinklers are not just for commercial buildings. Home fire sprinklers are individually activated by heat and provide a line of defense to allow homeowners to safely escape.”

By the end of the year, NIFSAB will have assisted with approximately 48 side-by-side fire and sprinkler burn demonstrations, along with 23 fire sprinkler trailer demonstrations.

More than 110 Illinois communities now require fire sprinklers in new construction homes, and many more require them in new multi-family and commercial buildings, because sprinklers not only protect occupants and property, but they also protect the lives of first responders.

Below is a list of upcoming fire and sprinkler burn demonstrations:

Wednesday, Oct. 2:
Warrenville Fire Protection District

Saturday, Oct. 5:
Norwood Park Fire Protection District (Trailer Demonstration)
Palatine Fire Department
Aurora Regional Fire Museum (Trailer Demonstration)
Minooka Fire Protection District
Darien-Woodridge Fire Protection District with Lisle-Woodridge Fire Protection District
Lemont Fire Protection District
Bartlett Fire Protection District
La Grange Fire Department
Barrington Fire Department

Sunday, Oct. 6:
Lake Zurich Fire Department
Sugar Grove Fire Protection District
Garden Homes Fire Protection District

Monday, Oct. 7:
Moraine Valley Community College
Western Springs Fire Department (Trailer Demonstration)

Thursday, Oct. 10:
Westchester Fire Department

Saturday, Oct. 12:
Alsip Fire Department
Westmont Fire Department
Elk Grove Village Fire Department (Trailer Demonstration)
Wood Dale Fire Protection District
Plainfield Fire Protection District
Elgin Fire Department
Rolling Meadows Fire Department
Country Club Hills Fire Department
LaGrange Park Fire Department

Sunday, Oct. 13:
Elmhurst Fire Department

Saturday, Oct. 19:
Berwyn Fire Department
Bloomingdale Fire Protection District
St. Charles Fire Department

Wednesday, Oct. 23:
Chicago Ridge Fire Department

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Lisa2019-10-03T12:47:13-05:00October 1st, 2019|Comments Off