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Writer's pictureTim Spears
Nov 249 min read

Fire Sprinkler Saves: Real Stories of Risk Reduction (November 2024 Volume I)



Fire sprinkler systems are a critical component in safeguarding lives and property against the devastating effects of fires. Their ability to detect and suppress fires quickly can mean the difference between a minor incident and a catastrophic event. In this blog, we highlight recent instances where fire sprinkler systems have effectively prevented major damage and loss of life, demonstrating their invaluable role in community risk reduction.


"‘Defective fire pit’ sparks fire at Flecha Cantina in Las Vegas, sources say"


Location: Las Vegas, Nevada, USA


Summary: On November 7, 2024, a fire broke out at Mark Wahlberg's Flecha Cantina in Las Vegas due to a defective propane fire pit on the patio. The fire was confined to the fire pit and an adjacent chair. The restaurant's sprinkler system activated promptly, preventing the fire from spreading further. All occupants evacuated safely before the Clark County Fire Department arrived. The restaurant managed to reopen just two hours later after ensuring the propane tanks were secured.


Link to original article: FOX5 Vegas


"Cause of a cardboard bale fire at Hagerstown business still under investigation"


Location: Hagerstown, Maryland, USA


Summary: On November 6, 2024, a fire ignited in a compacted cardboard bale at Republic Services' warehouse in Hagerstown. The facility's smoke alarms and sprinkler system activated immediately, containing the fire before the arrival of Hagerstown Fire crews. Firefighters extinguished the blaze within five minutes, limiting damage to the single bale of cardboard. The Maryland Office of the State Fire Marshal is currently investigating the cause of the fire.


Link to original article: Tri-State Alert


"Crews respond to fire at Victory Church in Lehigh Acres"


Location: Lehigh Acres, Florida, USA


Summary: In the early hours of November 14, 2024, a fire erupted in the sanctuary of Victory Church in Lehigh Acres. The church's sprinkler system activated and extinguished the flames before firefighters arrived on the scene. While the fire was contained, smoke damage affected other areas of the building. The Bureau of Fire, Arson, and Explosives is investigating the incident. As a precaution, the church's daycare and school services were temporarily suspended.


Link to original article: NBC-2 News


"Ellesmere Port: Four fire crews called to incident at flats"


Location: Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, United Kingdom


Summary: On November 12, 2024, a fire started in a flat at Joseph Groome Towers when a gas canister ignited during bathroom repairs. The building's sprinkler system activated, suppressing the fire effectively and preventing it from spreading to other units. Firefighters isolated the sprinkler system and ventilated the property upon arrival. No injuries were reported, and the damage was confined to the affected flat.


Link to original article: Chester and District Standard


"Fire At Building On Bloomfield Avenue Extinguished: Officials"


Location: Bloomfield, New Jersey, USA


Summary: On November 7, 2024, a basement fire occurred in a commercial building on Bloomfield Avenue. The building's sprinkler system activated, containing the fire to the basement area. The Bloomfield Fire Department responded swiftly, extinguishing the remaining flames. Due to the sprinkler system's effectiveness, the fire caused minimal damage and did not spread to other parts of the building.


Link to original article: Bloomfield Patch


"Fire Breaks Out At Paper Shredding Business: Official"


Location: Columbia, Maryland, USA


Summary: A fire ignited inside a paper shredding machine at Shred-It on November 14, 2024. The facility's sprinkler system activated, containing the fire until firefighters arrived. Visible smoke emanated from the single-story commercial building, but the fire was brought under control within 30 minutes. The Maryland Office of the Fire Marshal is investigating the cause of the incident.


Link to original article: Columbia Patch


"Fire Breaks Out In Guest Bathroom At Holiday Inn: Arlington Heights FD"


Location: Arlington Heights, Illinois, USA


Summary: On November 5, 2024, a fire started in a bathroom light fixture in a third-floor guest room at the Holiday Inn Express in Arlington Heights. The hotel's fire alarm and sprinkler system activated promptly. Firefighters found that the sprinkler system had limited the fire to the bathroom area. No injuries were reported, although multiple rooms experienced smoke and water damage, temporarily rendering them uninhabitable.


Link to original article: Arlington Heights Patch


"Fire in Auckland Central apartment building on Anzac Ave draws large response from firefighters"


Location: Auckland, New Zealand


Summary: On November 5, 2024, a fire occurred in a fifth-floor apartment on Anzac Avenue in Auckland Central. The building's sprinkler system activated and extinguished the fire before it could cause significant damage. The fire alarm system ensured a timely evacuation of residents. Firefighters remained on the scene to ventilate the building, and no injuries were reported.


Link to original article: NZ Herald


"Fire Sprinkler System Successfully Extinguishes Fire in Forest Hill"


Location: Forest Hill, Maryland, USA


Summary: A fire broke out in an apartment on Rock Spring Road on November 10, 2024. The building's sprinkler system promptly extinguished the fire, significantly limiting damage and preventing any injuries. Volunteer firefighters from the Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company responded to ensure the situation was fully under control. This incident marked the second fire that day in the area where sprinkler systems played a crucial role.


Link to original article: Hoodline


"Firefighters determine Marion fire to be accidental"


Location: Marion, Iowa, USA


Summary: On November 6, 2024, a fire started in the kitchen of a building on Twixt Town Road due to improperly stored materials on a countertop stove. The building's fire alarm and sprinkler systems activated, containing the fire and limiting damage to minor smoke and water effects. Firefighters praised the systems for their role in quick detection and control. No injuries were reported in the incident.


Link to original article: KCRG


"Folsom hotel room fire leaves water damage in rooms, floors"


Location: Folsom, California, USA


Summary: A fire erupted in a fourth-floor room of the Hampton Inn in Folsom on November 10, 2024. The hotel's sprinkler system activated, extinguishing the fire but resulting in water damage across several rooms and floors. Fire officials described the overall damage as moderate, with no reported injuries. The hotel resumed operations after receiving clearance from fire officials. The cause of the fire is under investigation.


Link to original article: ABC10


"Fire Averted at KGMU’s Queen Mary’s Hospital Thanks to Sprinklers"


Location: Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India


Summary: On November 4, 2024, a fire broke out in the basement of KGMU’s Queen Mary’s Hospital, suspected to be caused by an electrical short circuit. The hospital's active sprinkler system contained the fire to the basement area. Staff followed fire drill protocols, using extinguishers to control the spread until firefighters arrived. The incident resulted in the loss of some medical kits and medicines but prevented a larger disaster. No injuries were reported, and the fire brigade controlled the blaze within 15 minutes.


Link to original article: Times of India


"No injuries after car catches fire in KPE tunnel; sprinklers extinguish flames"


Location: Singapore


Summary: On November 2, 2024, a car caught fire in the Kallang-Paya Lebar Expressway tunnel. The tunnel's water mist sprinkler system activated, extinguishing the flames originating from the engine compartment before firefighters arrived. The incident caused temporary traffic disruptions but resulted in no injuries. The tunnel’s advanced fire safety features played a key role in mitigating the fire’s impact.


Link to original article: The Straits Times


"Quick Action by LAFD Extinguishes Downtown Los Angeles Apartment Fire"


Location: Los Angeles, California, USA


Summary: A fire broke out on November 1, 2024, in a unit of a historic five-story apartment building in Downtown Los Angeles. The building’s sprinkler system activated, containing the fire to the contents of one unit. Firefighters extinguished the blaze within 18 minutes of receiving the call. No injuries were reported, and damage was limited to the affected unit, showcasing the effectiveness of sprinkler systems in minimizing fire impact.


Link to original article: Hoodline


"Sprinkler system keeps apartment fire from spreading in Urbana on Halloween"


Location: Urbana, Illinois, USA


Summary: On October 31, 2024, a kitchen fire broke out at the Capstone Apartments on North Lincoln Avenue. The building’s sprinkler system activated, containing the fire to the stove, microwave, and some cabinets. Firefighters extinguished the blaze within 10 minutes. No injuries were reported, but the affected apartment and the one below it were temporarily uninhabitable due to smoke and water damage. The cause of the fire is under investigation.


Link to original article: WAND TV


"Sprinklers stop fire in Des Moines high-rise"


Location: Des Moines, Iowa, USA


Summary: A fire occurred on November 4, 2024, in a high-rise building in Des Moines. The building's sprinkler system activated, containing the fire to a single unit until firefighters arrived. No injuries were reported. The fire department credited the sprinkler system for effectively limiting the fire's spread and damage.


Link to original article: KCCI


"Two children removed from North Liberty apartment fire"


Location: North Liberty, Iowa, USA


Summary: On November 11, 2024, a fire started in a second-floor apartment on Rachel Street. The building's sprinkler system activated, extinguishing most of the fire before firefighters arrived. Emergency crews rescued two children and a dog from the apartment. The children were transported to the hospital; their conditions were not disclosed. The cause of the fire is under investigation.


Link to original article: KCRG


Video appears to show suspects using Molotov cocktails to start fire in Richmond Hill cinema


Location: Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada


Summary: On November 5, 2024, two suspects intentionally set a fire in the lobby of a Richmond Hill cinema using Molotov cocktails. The sprinkler system activated, extinguishing the fire before it could spread. Moviegoers were present in an upper-level theater at the time, but no injuries were reported. The police are investigating the incident and are seeking public assistance to identify the suspects.


Link to original article: CP24


Understanding Fire Sprinkler Systems


Fire sprinkler systems are automated fire suppression systems designed to react immediately when a fire is detected. They operate through a network of pipes and sprinkler heads installed throughout a building. When a sprinkler head detects heat—typically at temperatures around 155°F (68°C) or higher—it activates, releasing water directly over the source of the heat.


How They Work:


  1. Detection: Each sprinkler head operates independently and will activate only in the presence of high heat, ensuring water is released only where needed.

  2. Suppression: The immediate release of water helps suppress the fire, controlling its spread and reducing heat and smoke.

  3. Alarm Activation: Sprinkler systems are often integrated with fire alarm systems, alerting occupants and emergency services promptly.


The Effectiveness of Fire Sprinkler Systems


  • Life Safety: According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the risk of dying in a fire is reduced by about 80% when fire sprinklers are present.

  • Property Protection: Sprinkler systems can reduce property damage by up to 70%, as they control fires before they grow and spread.

  • Environmental Benefits: By limiting the size of fires, sprinklers reduce the amount of water needed by firefighters and decrease pollutant emissions from fires.


The real-world incidents highlighted above underscore the important role that fire sprinkler systems play in protecting lives and property. Their immediate response to fire not only minimizes damage but also provides precious time for occupants to evacuate safely. Investing in these systems is an investment in safety, resilience, and peace of mind for communities worldwide.


References



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