An editorial opines “Sprinkler systems are effective; no question about it. But their impact on the overall cost of the home cannot be overstated.
“Besides, there is an alternative; the smoke detector. Working smoke detectors are nearly 100 percent effective in getting people out of burning homes alive, and they cost only a fraction of the cost of sprinkler systems.”
WATCHDOG: The problem is the substitution of ‘engineered’ floor trusses in place of the dimensional floor joists (2” x 10” or 2” x 12”) used in older housing. These floor trusses are virtual kindling wood connected with metal clamps.
A small fire can enflame the entire home or apartment building within minutes. Under those conditions, warning from smoke detectors is inadequate. Sprinkler systems provide time for escape and for the fire department to arrive. Hence, the new building code requirements.
Retrofitting an apartment with a fire sprinkler system costs about a thousand dollars. We question that the rate for a 2000 square foot house would be as high as the $7,000 reported. Even if it adds 3% to the cost of the house, it is worth it.
In short, the savings on lumber requires the expenditure for a fire sprinkler system.
Sprinkler systems attempt to keep fires in check until the arrival of the fire department.
Smoke detectors serve to help persons get out, but don’t suppress a fire. Fire fighters do that.
Even with a top of the line sprinkler system and 25 smoke detectors in a home, a fully staffed, quick responding fire department is still required to mitigate the emergency and keep it from spreading to other properties, which may very well lack the sprinklers or smoke detectors.
Apparently Lancaster City Council, the Mayor and Fire Chief don’t get that. The 15% reduction of the Fire Bureau proposed by the mayor’s 2010 budget will place citizens at risk, even if they have every fire safety gadget on the market installed in their home. And as any fire fighter in Lancaster will tell you, you are more likely to find smoke detectors in the garbage can than screwed to the ceiling.