Economics of Fire Protection

Systems
Detection
Fire Extinguishers
Automatic Sprinkler Systems

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 Fire Basics

• Fire Triangle: Heat, Fuel and Oxygen.

• Fire Tetrahedron: Triangle plus

uninterrupted chemical chain reaction.

• Extinguishment theory: break the

triangle.
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 Stages of Fire Development
• Incipient fire: is the beginning stage and
can be controlled with rapid intervention.
• Free burning fire: is the building stage of
fire and is beyond the capability of
untrained personnel.
• Decay stage: of fire is when the fire is out
of fuel OR has a lack of oxygen.

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 Detection Systems
• The detection systems may be heat
detectors or smoke detectors or a
combination of both.
• Purpose of detection system is to react to
a fire at the incipient stage.
• Once the fire is detected the system
should at a minimum warn occupants.
• The system may also notify Fire
Department.
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 Classes of Fire
• Class A:

• Class B:

• Class C:

• Class D:

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 Fire Extinguishers
• Class A:

• Class B:

• Class C:

• Class D:

• Class K:
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 Using Extinguishers
• Call your local Fire Department.
• Evaluate type of fire and size of fire.
• NEVER put the fire between you and your
exit.
• Remember P A S S.
• Test, before attempting extinguishment.
• Back away from fire area even if no fire is
visible.
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Demonstration

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 Limitations of Extinguishers
• Fire must be detected in the incipient
stage.
• The correct class of extinguisher must be
present, accessible and charged.
• Someone must operate the extinguisher in
a proper and effective manner from the
proper distance.
• The extinguishing agent applied must
break the fire triangle.
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Is there a proven life safety
system?
Yes, one that is effective in
holding a fire in check.

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Demonstration

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 Automatic Sprinkler Systems
• Over 100 years of
protection.
• 90 % effective in keeping
fire small.
• Excellent record in
protecting life safety and
property.
• Designed to meet hazard,
wet, dry, deluge and
preaction.
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• Commercial NFPA 13.
• Residential systems
NFPA 13 D and 13 R.
• MGL Chapter 148
Section 26.
• Supported by the Fire
Chiefs Association of
Massachusetts and
Professional Firefighters
of Massachusetts.
Bos
 Structure Fire Threats
• Life Safety: To occupants and responding
firefighters

• Incident Stabilization: Without sprinklers

the fire can continue to grow in size

• Property Conservation: The greater the

damage the more disruption will occur
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 Cost of Business Interruption
• Unemployment

• Decreased tax base

• Loss of product/service availability

• Restoration of Property Costs

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Municipal Property Building Fires
2005 -2007
• Elementary Schools: 199 fires with 3 FF
and 1 civilian injuries.
• Jr. High and High School: 394 fires with 5
FF and 6 civilian injuries.
• Library: 21 fires with 1 FF injury.
• Police Stations: 19 fires.
• Fire Stations: 17 fires.
• Transfer Station/Landfill: 17 fires with 4 FF
injuries.
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 Show me the money

• NFPA 13 Commercial System

• New construction $ 2.50 per square foot.

• Renovation/retrofit $ 3.00 per square foot.

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 Residential
• NFPA 13 D
• New Construction $ 3.00 per square foot.
• Remodel/retrofit $ 3.25 square foot.

• NFPA 13 R
• New Construction $ 3.25 per square foot.
• Remodel/retrofit $ 3.50 per square foot.

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Residential Sprinkler
Effectiveness
Marble Mountain Sprinkler
Demonstration video

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MMA Conference 2009 Bos
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 Comparisons

• Lawn Irrigation Sprinklers that will save

your grass.
• Square foot cost varies based on soil
conditions and require annual service.
• Granite Counter tops mid range $ 50-$ 65
per square foot installed.

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 Insurance Savings
• Residential premiums may be up to 7 %
savings depending on the company.

• Commercial property ask your insurance

agent for an accurate quote.

• Municipal Property this would be a risk

reduction and should provide a savings.
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 What has FCAM done
• Harkins-Balser Bill supported since 2001.
• Supported and continue to enforce chapter
304 to improve night club life safety with
sprinkler protection and crowd control.
• Voted at ICC in New York with majority for
residential sprinklers.
• Traveled to Minnesota and were part of
the 73 % in favor of residential sprinklers
at ICC meeting.
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 Work to be done
• Enforce the Forgotten Fire Bill (MGL Chapter
148 Section 26) for new construction.

• Support the action taken at ICC in September

2008 for residential sprinkler protection.

• Coordinate our efforts with boards and

commissions across Massachusetts that have
jurisdiction and authority in these areas.
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 What will happen
When these goals are
accomplished all involved will be
able to say….

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They were part of the process to
enhance life safety
in Massachusetts at home and at
work with automatic sprinkler
systems.

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Questions?

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 THANK YOU
• Fire Chiefs Association of Massachusetts Executive Board

• Chief Gerard A. Dio– Worcester, President

• Chief Thomas Coulombe- Ware, First Vice President

• Chief Kevin C. Robinson – Marshfield, Second Vice President

• Chief Robert A. DiPoli, Ret. Governmental Affairs Director

• Chief William V. Dolan, Ret. Secretary/Treasurer

• Chief Kenneth Willette – Concord, Immediate Past President

Email: FCAMSECTREAS@comcast.net
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 Board of Directors
• District 1 Chief George W. Baker Mashpee
• District 2 Chief Arthur H. Pelland Abington
• District 3 Chief Robert F. Pray Rehoboth
• District 4 Chief Timothy F. Bailey, Jr. Walpole
• District 5 Chief James P. Tutko Danvers
• District 6 Chief Richard J. Rochon Westford
• District 7 Chief Peter J. Ostroskey Uxbridge
• District 8 Chief Paul Zbikowski Ashburnham
• District 9 Chief Dennis M. Annear Orange
• District 10 Chief Keith E. Hoyle Amherst
• District 11 Chief Stephen S. Burkott Chicopee
• District 12 Chief Craig A. Pedercini Williamstown
• District 13 Chief Gregory J. Burns Reading
• District 14 Chief Gary T. Daugherty Framingham
• District 15 Chief James C. Broderick Rowley

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