Fire Sprinkler Home Safety Week

Maryland law requires sprinklers in all newly constructed homes.


FREDERICK, MD.  (LG)    The Office of the State Fire Marshal, in conjunction with the Maryland State Firemen’s Association, is reaching out to educate the public on the importance of having a home fire sprinkler system. Spokeswoman Emily Witty says the State of Maryland requires sprinklers in all newly constructed homes.

“Because new construction is made out of this lightweight material that is very flammable, so out of caution, our State ensures that any new home built must have a fire sprinkler installed,” said Witty.

Last week, Witty said, the Fire Marshal’s Office conducted a burn demonstration of a side-by-side home to show the suppression capabilities of home fire sprinklers when compared to the same environment ignited without a sprinkler system.

“And that was a trailer set up, with one side having a sprinkler system and one side not.  And we lit those on fires and it showed that the one without a sprinkler was totally destroyed and the other side with a sprinkler had very minor damage, and once it was dried out, it was usable, again.”

Installing both smoke alarms and a fire sprinkler system reduces the risk of death in a home fire by 80 percent, Witty added.  Fire sprinklers save lives and reduce property loss. Installing both smoke alarms and a fire sprinkler system reduces the risk of death in a home fire by 82 percent, relative to having neither. … Nationally, on average, home fire sprinkler systems cost $1.35 per square foot in new construction.

This is Home Fire Sprinkler Week.

 

By Loretta Gaines