Fatalities and Damage from Fire Drops Significantly in Sprinklered Homes

New report shows benefits of home fire sprinkler - 

No deaths in sprinklered homes

The home fire sprinkler ordinance effective since 1992 in Prince George's County, MD has had a significant impact on life-safety and reduction of property damage, according to a new study released this month by the nonprofit Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition (HFSC). The study, produced in cooperation with the University of Maryland, analyzed Prince George's County's experience with its single-family dwelling fire sprinkler ordinance over the 15-year period of 1992-2007.

During the 15-year period, there were 13,494 house fires with 101 deaths and 328 injuries in homes that were not protected with fire sprinklers. There were no deaths in the homes protected with home fire sprinklers. The average property loss after a fire with fatalities in an unsprinklered residence was 10 times more costly than a fire in homes protected with a fire sprinkler system.

"What we envisioned 20 years ago when we started our work to require fire sprinklers in single-family homes was demonstrated in this report," said William Barnard, Maryland State Fire Marshal. "Prince George's County was the first county in our country to pass this type of ordinance. With the completion of this study, we have the data to prove that we were right. The biggest fact is the fire fatalities. There were no fatalities in homes protected with fire sprinklers. It is unfortunate there were so many fatalities in the homes not protected with fire sprinklers."