CHICAGO, Aug. 26, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — A fire in a three-story apartment building in Chicago has resulted in eight deaths. Six children and two adults were killed after the fire broke out at 4:00 a.m. on Sunday, August 26^th. Additionally, a teenager and young adult were taken to the hospital and are listed in critical condition. A firefighter was also injured while fighting the blaze. The building did not have a fire sprinkler system. Firefighters were unable to find working smoke detectors in the building. This is Chicago’s largest fire fatality loss since the Cook County Administration Building high-rise fire that killed six people in 2004.

Chicago does not require fire sprinklers in existing apartments under 80 feet in height and when new apartments are constructed, fire sprinklers are not required until wood construction exceeds 30 feet in height. There have been three attempts to adopt the International Code Council (ICC) codes, which require all new apartments to have fire sprinklers and existing apartment buildings under 80 feet to have fire sprinklers when renovations occur in the building. Advocates have been educating and encouraging a change in the law for years, however, all attempts have been opposed by numerous building and real estate stakeholders.

This fire joins other recent fires in underscoring the need for fire sprinklers. A fire last week in San Antonio, Texas claimed the life of one, while a fire three weeks ago in San Marcos, Texas claimed the lives of five college students. Apartment and condo buildings present unique challenges for life safety, and as facts are examined, the realization that built in fire protection is needed becomes apparent. A fire in Prospect Heights, Illinois in July caused over $10 million dollars in damage to the River Trails condominium complex and placed hundreds of citizens’ and firefighters’ lives at risk. Not only are lives lost and lives changed forever for those injured, physically and mentally, but it is a loss of housing for the community and a loss of tax base. Fire in an uncontrolled state is devastating to lives, communities, and this country. Adopting the latest national building fire codes and standards will save lives and properties for decades to come, as these tragedies are avoidable.

“It’s time for community leaders to realize there are steps they can take to ensure citizens and firefighters are safe,” explains NFSA President Shane Ray. “Fire sprinklers are needed in apartment buildings. Progressive cities and states have required this for years, some, such as Maryland, for decades. Too many lives are being lost. We need to respond with proactive steps to make these buildings safer.”

The National Fire Sprinkler Association is firm in the belief that fire sprinklers would have changed the outcome of these fires. The deaths of these unfortunate victims were needless and preventable. 2018 has been a year when, over and over again, our Association has had to respond to fatal apartment building fires across the country. Astonishingly, sprinklers were required in apartment buildings more than two stories in height and with more than 16 dwelling units in the 2000 edition of the ICC codes. Eighteen years later, unnecessary deaths are still occurring in apartment building fires across the U.S.

NFSA’s Northern Illinois Fire Sprinkler Advisory Board has also responded to this fire, with first-hand information about Chicago issues.

“Smoke alarms warn you when you have a fire and fire sprinklers stop a fire from becoming deadly,” said Tom Lia, Executive Director, Northern Illinois Fire Sprinkler Advisory Board (NIFSAB). “Fire sprinklers were not required when this apartment building was built, and sadly, Chicago codes do not require fire sprinklers if this same building were built today.”

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), fires are more deadly today due to modern furnishings. A fire can become deadly in less than two minutes (NFPA 2018). Fire is fast. Unfortunately, children and older adults often can’t hear a smoke alarm or react fast enough to escape the smoke. Fire sprinklers are individually heat activated and only the fire sprinkler closest to fire goes off, keeping the fire small and allowing time for all to escape. We know that fire sprinklers buy time and time buys life. Fire and building codes are a minimum and should be adopted to protect lives and property in the future.

About the National Fire Sprinkler Association (NFSA): NFSA was founded in 1905 and wants to create a more fire safe world, and works to heighten the awareness of the importance of fire sprinkler systems from homes to high-rise and all occupancies in between. The Association is an inclusive organization made up of dedicated and committed members of a progressive life-saving industry. This industry manufactures, designs, supplies, installs, inspects, and services the world’s most effective system in saving lives and property from uncontrolled structural fires. For more information about fire sprinklers, how they work and access to additional resources and information, visit www.nfsa.org for the latest material, statistics and a dedicated team of fire safety advocates ready to serve all stakeholders in order to fulfill the vision of a safer world.

Click here to view PRNewswire Press Release

San Marcos, Texas– Several national organizations are joining together to raise awareness of the growing dangers of residential fires and the life-­‐‑saving benefits of installing fire sprinklers in dorms and off-­‐‑campus housing –whether apartments or single-­‐‑ family housing. This partnership is happening following the July 20th fire in San Marcos, Texas where five students died, six people were injured, and 200 were displaced.

“Our hope is to organize a unified response to tragedies like this so that more people may pause to realize the lessons there are to learn,” says Ron Siarnicki, Executive Director of the National Fallen Firefighter Foundation. “By joining forces coast to coast, we can help citizens and firefighters learn the facts before they select college housing and urge local fire officials to support fire sprinkler codes and be active with education about them.”

Many people lose sight of the fact that fires are dangerous not just to residents, but also to firefighters. Today’s new houses are built with big open designs, constructed with modern combustible materials, and they’re filled with synthetic furnishings. When they burn, they fail fast, and that environment places firefighters at risk from fire, as well as toxins that lead to disease. Older housing has its own unique set of challenges, and many times off-­‐‑campus housing is not up to the current code and may be lacking regular inspections.

“We are seeing too many fire deaths across America that can be prevented,” explained Amy Acton, Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors Executive Director. “We know how to reduce this number and we should all be working together to prevent more fire deaths. Properly installed fire sprinklers, working smoke detectors and escape planning are key to this issue.”

The organizations that are joining together to raise awareness about the need for fire prevention and education on campuses nationwide include: National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors, National Fire Sprinkler Association, Common Voices, and Center for Campus Fire Safety.

“Our hope is that through tragedies we can unite and educate to prevent the next tragedy,” explains Rob Feeney, a burn survivor and fire safety advocate active with Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors and Common Voices. “It’s time for fire safety to be a priority. Lives can be saved if fire prevention is included in our daily lives. We extend our sincerest sympathy to the families of those who died, and we hope the survivors will join our advocacy for fire safety.”

For more details about the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation’s Life Safety Initiatives, please visit www.firehero.org. NFFF was created by Congress to lead a nationwide effort to remember America’s fallen firefighters. Since 1992, the tax-exempt, non-profit foundation has developed and expanded programs to honor our fallen fire heroes and assist their families and coworkers.

About Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors: Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors is the leading non-profit organization helping burn survivors meet their challenges with the community support and tools they need to thrive again, and to ensure that no survivor ever has to make that journey alone. Working with survivors, families, healthcare professionals, fire service professionals, we are uniting the voice of the burn community across the globe to profoundly advance lifelong healing, optimal recovery, and burn prevention. www.phoenix-society.org

About the National Fire Sprinkler Association (NFSA): NFSA was founded in 1905 and wants to create a more fire safe world, and works to heighten the awareness of the importance of fire sprinkler systems from homes to high-rise and all occupancies in between. The Association is an inclusive organization made up of dedicated and committed members of a progressive life-saving industry. This industry manufactures, designs, supplies, installs, inspects, and services the world’s most effective system in saving lives and property from uncontrolled structural fires. For more information about fire sprinklers, how they work and access to additional resources and information, visit www.nfsa.org for the latest material, statistics and a dedicated team of fire safety advocates ready to serve all stakeholders in order to fulfill the vision of a safer world.

About Common Voices: Common Voices (www.fireadvocates.org) is an advocates’ coalition of members who all have been directly affected by fire. By bringing their voices together, they hope to educate others regarding fire and its devastating impact. Their mission is to create a fire-safe America by sharing their stories, creating resources that educate and sharing fire statistics.

About Center for Campus Fire Safety: The Center for Campus Fire Safety (www.campusfiresafety.org ) is a non-profit, member focused organization devoted to reducing the loss of life from fire at our nation’s campuses. The mission of The Center for Campus Fire Safety is to serve as an advocate for the promotion of campus fire safety. The Center serves as the focal point for the efforts of a number of organizations and also as a clearinghouse for information relating to campus fire safety.

Common Voices advocate Bonnie Woodruff wrote and distributed the following open letter following the tragic San Marcos fire in Texas. We applaud her courage to speak out on such an important topic.

Open Letter to the Editor,

I have watched the San Marcos fire tragedy unfold in San Marcos, Texas this past week with a heavy heart. 5 student lives confirmed lost, 6 injured, 200 displaced and others still missing. It’s a mother’s worst nightmare, and it’s one I’ve lived.

I ask myself the question, “When will we learn?” I also ask “how can I help?”

It’s been 22 years since I lost my son, Ben, in a fire at the University of North Carolina. Ben died, along with 4 of his friends, in the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity house fire that changed our lives forever. It was graduation day, it was Mother’s day….May 12, 1996. Fire didn’t care about any of the celebration plans we had for that day, and 5 lives were cut short.

Following the tragedy, I became involved in campus fire safety advocacy and have spent many years sharing Ben’s story in hopes that other lives will be saved. I am a proud founding advocate of Common Voices, an advocates’ coalition determined to create a fire safe America.

We’ve made progress, but there is still so much work to do. The fire in San Marcos underscores the importance of this and I felt it appropriate to reach out again.

Texas State University students are now reminded of the facts about fire in a way that no one wants to be. How can this tragedy serve as a wake-­‐up call to universities, student and parents across America?

One way that I know of is to send my plea once again to parents of students who will be heading off to college this fall.

Does your student’s housing include fire sprinklers?

Please look up for fire safety. Make sure that fire sprinklers are present and that there is a properly installed and working smoke alarm system. Encourage everyone to PRACTICE an escape plan. Whether your student is living on campus or off, the questions are the same and you are kidding yourself if you believe that fire can’t happen to you and your family.

Fire is fast. Fire sprinklers are needed. Let’s all join together and make sure that fire safety is on our back to school checklist.

Tragedies can be prevented. Ask the simple questions and make decisions based on the answers. Don’t choose on campus or off campus housing that doesn’t include fire sprinklers.

Bonnie Woodruff

Raleigh, North Carolina

bcwoodruff@aol.com

to Read More Please Click Here

NEW YORK, April 8, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — A 67 year-old man is dead and six firefighters sustained injuries after a fire broke out in the victim’s 50th floor apartment in New York City’s Trump Tower, a 58-story high-rise that houses the Trump Organization headquarters and the personal living space of the President and his family. The residential portion of the building is not equipped with fire sprinklers.

“We are saddened to learn of this tragic loss of life,” explains Shane Ray, NFSA President. “We work every day to share the benefits of fire sprinklers. We know fire sprinklers would have made a difference in this fire and that a life could have been saved and injuries to firefighters prevented.”

NFSA Past President John Viniello and then Director of Public Fire Protection, Jim Dalton presented testimony to the city council in support of fire sprinklers in NYC as a later Trump Tower was proposed. They were joined by Vina Drennan, whose husband, Captain John Drennan of FDNY was killed in a NYC fire in 1994.

According to an article in the New York Daily News, yesterday’s apartment fire was described as a “raging inferno.” FDNY Commissioner Daniel Nigro stated, “The fire was a difficult fire. The apartment was quite large and 50 stories up.” He also made it a point to note that the building’s residential floors lacked fire sprinklers.

This is yet another example of the tragedy that can occur in a high-rise building which is not equipped with fire sprinklers. In January of this year, fire broke out on the roof of the building, injuring three people. Last year, a fire in the Marco Polo Condominium High-Rise in Honolulu, Hawaii killed four people and injured 13. These tragedies, while preventable, will unfortunately and undoubtedly be repeated if action is not taken to avoid them.

The fact that the building containing the President’s private residence is unprotected by fire sprinklers in 2018 is hard for many to understand. However, fire sprinklers were not required when the building was put into service in 1983. Unfortunately, there are tens of thousands of buildings across the United States that were built before fire sprinklers were required. Every year these buildings get older, and every year, as their systems age, they become more prone to fire. Trump Tower is one of the most expensive real estate properties in this country. In 2018, there has been two fires in 4 months at the property that led to one death and multiple injuries. These facts support the need for retrofitting of fire sprinklers in high-rise buildings.

The National Fire Sprinkler Association joined with other national fire service organizations recently to celebrate the fact that fire sprinkler incentives were included in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act that will address the issue for small business owners who are able to realize the benefits of Section 179 of the tax code. However, due to a technical oversight in the law, corporations cannot take advantage of the tax break because they were left out. Most importantly, residential properties, where 80 percent of the of the fire deaths in the country occur, were not included when Congress passed the legislation.

“We are working diligently with the fire service to heighten awareness of this oversight in hopes that it can be corrected,” adds Shane Ray a former firefighter and fire chief himself. “We should not have a situation that requires firefighters to battle a fire in a high-rise building without the assistance of fire sprinklers.”

The national organizations joined to hold a press conference on the 15th anniversary of the Station fire in West Warwick, Rhode Island. The Station fire killed 100 and injured over 230. Saturday’s fire in Trump Tower reminds us that there is still work to do, and that all high-rises should be protected with fire sprinklers.

The National Fire Sprinkler Association has advocated for fire sprinklers in New York City, where the association opened its first office in 1914, and all across the country because of its long time mission to save lives and protect property from fire through the widespread acceptance of the fire sprinkler concept.

About the National Fire Sprinkler Association (NFSA): NFSA was founded in 1905 and wants to create a more fire safe world, and works to heighten the awareness of the importance of fire sprinkler systems from homes to high-rise and all occupancies in between. The Association is an inclusive organization made up of dedicated and committed members of a progressive life-saving industry. This industry manufactures, designs, supplies, installs, inspects, and services the world’s most effective system in saving lives and property from uncontrolled structural fires.

For more information about fire sprinklers, how they work and access to additional resources and information, visit www.nfsa.org for the latest material, statistics and a dedicated team of fire safety advocates ready to serve all stakeholders in order to fulfill the vision of a safer world.

Contact: Vickie Pritchett
615-533-0305

SOURCE National Fire Sprinkler Association

Related Links
http://www.nfsa.org
PDF Version

Linthicum Heights, Maryland – The National Fire Sprinkler Association (NFSA) is proud to announce its 2018 award recipients. The awards will be presented at the Association’s Annual Awards Banquet to be held Friday, May 5, 2018.

“The fire sprinkler industry is blessed to have many strong members who have led the way over the years,” explained Shane Ray, NFSA President. “Our goal is to recognize those who have served and to recognize their many contributions to the industry.”

John (Jay) C. Livingston, a fire sprinkler contractor, was selected to receive the Golden Sprinkler Award. Jay is owner and founder of Livingston Fire Protection, Inc. (LFP). LFP is over 53 years young, an amazing achievement in any industry. Mr. Livingston has positively contributed so much during this tenure, and continues to do so today.

Jay has a heart of gold and lives for his family and for the fire sprinkler industry! He and his company are deeply involved in community service and have donated not only untold hours of service, but free fire sprinkler systems to two homeless centers, two residences and one school for children needing scholastic tutoring and after school places to learn (material donations were by manufacturers and distributers). Jay has written many articles published in Sprinkler Quarterly, Fire Protection Contractor, and numerous other publications. Jay is a member of the NFSA Hall of Fame and played a key role in the establishment of NFSA’s Capital Region Chapter.

The Russell P. Fleming Technical Service Award will be presented to George Stanley of Wiginton Fire Systems. George is Vice-Chair of NFSA’s Engineering &Standards Committee and has worked at Wiginton Fire Systems since 1973. Underspoken, yet focused on technical solutions on behalf of the NFSA and the entire fire sprinkler industry, George has held every sprinkler contractors position within Wiginton and has served steadfast for 45 years.

The Leadership in Public Safety Award is the NFSA’s highest award to a fire official or advocate and will be presented to Charles Hood, San Antonio Fire Chief. Hood was instrumental in efforts to retrofit residential high-rise buildings in San Antonio following the tragic Wedgwood fire in 2014. He, and his team have worked to identify all high-rise buildings in their fire district that are not protected with fire sprinklers, and are now working to bring all of those buildings up to code with the inclusion of fire sprinklers.

Hall of Fame recipients will also be honored. Hall of Fame inductees have contributed nearly all their working lives to improving the fire sprinkler industry.

2018 Hall of Fame Inductees include:

Rich Ackley, Dalmatian Fire
Neil Cahill, National Fire Sprinkler Association
Frank J. Fee, III, Reliable Automatic Sprinkler Co., Inc.
John Joyce, Geo. M. Robinson & Co.
George Laverick, Underwriters Laboratories
Art O’Neil, Automatic Sprinkler Corporation of America
Cary Nicol, Viking SupplyNet

About the National Fire Sprinkler Association (NFSA): NFSA was founded in 1905 and wants to create a more fire safe world, and works to heighten the awareness of the importance of fire sprinkler systems from homes to high-rise and all occupancies in between. The Association is an inclusive organization made up of dedicated and committed members of a progressive life-saving industry. This industry manufactures, designs, supplies, installs, inspects, and services the world’s most effective system in saving lives and property from uncontrolled structural fires.

For more information about fire sprinklers, how they work and access to additional resources and information, visit www.nfsa.org for the latest material, statistics and a dedicated team of fire safety advocates ready to serve all stakeholders in order to fulfill the vision of a safer world.

3-13-18
Contact: Vickie Pritchett
(615)533-0305
pritchett@nfsa.org

Linthicum Heights, MD – The National Fire Sprinkler Association (NFSA) advised its Board of Director members this week of 4 new hires in upcoming weeks. The positions of Director of Operations, Director of Field Operations, ITM Specialist, and Field Service Coordinator have been filled with start dates of March 5, March 15 and April 1 respectively among them.

“Building our team has been a priority within our Transition Management Plan and the re-location of our headquarters to Maryland,” explained Shane Ray, NFSA President. “Our NFSA team is focused on member service and supporting our vision, mission, and values. Each of these individuals will be great additions to Team NFSA.”

Director of Operations is Chief Dennis Wood, a Maryland native who joins NFSA from a career within the Prince Georges County Fire Department. Wood will begin work on April 2, 2018 at the headquarters location in Linthicum Heights.
Wood most recently served as the Deputy Fire Chief of the Emergency Services Command, retiring after 23 years of service. He has experiences in guiding operations, community risk reduction, capital improvement project management, budgeting, performance measurement, hiring and promotion processes, career development, hazardous materials, training and fire prevention and code enforcement.

His combination of experiences and education has led to being published in trade magazines and he has lectured extensively on many facets of emergency services at local, regional, state and national conferences.

Director of Field Operations is Chief Gary West, a Tennessee native who leaves his most recent post as Deputy Commissioner, Department of Commerce and Insurance for the State of Tennessee, serving as Tennessee State Fire Marshal. West will also begin work on April 2, 2018, with his home office in Tennessee being his primary station. However, West will travel nation-wide as the leader of the NFSA Field Operations team — which now includes 22 team members in 17 different states.

West brings many years of local, municipal, and state government experience to the role of Director of Field Operations which will prove valuable as a teammate to the NFSA personnel in Field Operations. These experiences span from local county and city issues, to state and national issues, which NFSA faces on a daily basis. His experience with education focused on community risk reduction will be a perfect fit for the team, and his strong customer service skills combined with a strong work ethic will be an added bonus as he serves NFSA members across the nation.

ITM Specialist is Vince Powers, who brings 20 years of experience with fire sprinkler contractors focused on inspection, testing and maintenance. This position is within the Department of Codes and Public Fire Protection. Powers most recent work was with Castle
Sprinkler and Alarm in Maryland.

Field Service Coordinator is Terin Hopkins, who brings over 35-years experience as a local authority having jurisdiction (AHJ), most recently with Howard County Maryland Department of Fire & Rescue Services – Office of the Fire Marshal. Prior to that, Hopkins was with Prince George’s County Maryland Fire/EMS Department.

“As newly elected Chair of the NFSA Board, it’s exciting to see the momentum that this association is creating within the fire sprinkler industry,” added Kent Mezaros, NFSA Board Chair. “The energy and the focus of the respective departments within NFSA are making a
difference to members, and also helping us create not only a stronger industry, but a safer world.”

About the National Fire Sprinkler Association (NFSA): NFSA was founded in 1905 and wants to create a more fire safe world, and works to heighten the awareness of the importance of fire sprinkler systems from homes to high-rise and all occupancies in between. The Association is an inclusive organization made up of dedicated and committed members of a progressive life-saving industry. This industry manufactures, designs, supplies, installs, inspects, and services the world’s most effective system in saving lives and property from uncontrolled structural fires.

For more information about fire sprinklers, how they work and access to additional resources and information, visit www.nfsa.org for the latest material, statistics and a dedicated team of fire safety advocates ready to serve all stakeholders in order to fulfill the vision of a safer world.

WEST WARWICK, R.I., Feb. 21, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The National Fire Sprinkler Association (NFSA) was honored to be part of yesterday’s memorial service held at the site of the Station Fire in West Warwick, Rhode Island. Fifteen years to the day, organizations came together to remember those who lost their lives, honor those who survived, and share information about fire sprinkler incentives.

Speakers at the event, representing Station Fire Memorial Foundation, Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors, Common Voices, U.S. Fire Administration, National Fire Protection Association, National Fire Sprinkler Association, International Association of Fire Chiefs, and National Fallen Firefighters Foundation,

“Yesterday was a humbling, peaceful, and successful day in honor of those who gave so much,” stated Shane Ray, NFSA President. “To be present at such a hallowed place with survivors, family members, community members, and the fire service was an absolute honor. To hear some describe the day in a manner that they had reached ‘peace’ with the site, and the fact we finally had an incentive for fire sprinklers in small businesses made all our efforts and investments worth it.”

NFSA joined Common Voices, Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors, Station Fire Memorial Foundation, National Fire Protection Association, Congressional Fire Services Institute, U.S. Fire Administration, International Association of Fire Chiefs and National Fallen Firefighters Foundation leaders to commemorate the event. Over 100 people attended the national press conference which was streamed live nation-wide.

The NFSA team was led by long-time fire safety advocate Jim Dalton, who spent many days over the past 15 years meeting with legislators, their staffers, and fire service stakeholders who also championed this legislation. He was joined throughout this process by Vickie Pritchett, NFSA Director of Outreach and Government Relations.

“This provision in the tax reform bill will save lives,” said Dalton, NFSA Senior Policy Advisor. “We are thankful for our partners from the Congressional Fire Services Institute, International Association of Fire Chiefs, International Association of Fire Fighters, National Fire Protection Association, National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, National Volunteer Fire Council, Common Voices, Security Industry Association, Station Fire Memorial Foundation, Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors, and others who championed this tax incentive.”

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act contained several critically important provisions which will provide significant incentives for property owners to install fire sprinklers. Small businesses will now be able to fully expense-in fire sprinklers, under section 179 of the tax code, up to a cap of $1 million in each year of expense. This will allow for the retrofit and upgrading of numerous occupancies such as nightclubs. In addition, small businesses that may need to borrow money to pay for the retrofit will be able to fully deduct the interest expense on the loan.

Advocates and the fire service can now promote fire sprinklers and overall improvements to fire protection in existing small businesses that will prevent loss of life, injuries, emotional distress, bankruptcy, and even imprisonment, all of which occurred in the aftermath of the Station Fire.

These days are behind us, but we will always remember this event and the toll it took on America. We will continue to promote the cause of fire safety. Hand-in-hand with all stakeholders, we will continue to persevere.

About the National Fire Sprinkler Association (NFSA): NFSA was founded in 1905 and wants to create a more fire safe world, and works to heighten the awareness of the importance of fire sprinkler systems from homes to high-rise and all occupancies in between. The Association is an inclusive organization made up of dedicated and committed members of a progressive life-saving industry. This industry manufactures, designs, supplies, installs, inspects, and services the world’s most effective system in saving lives and property from uncontrolled structural fires.

For more information about fire sprinklers, how they work and access to additional resources and information, visit www.nfsa.org for the latest material, statistics and a dedicated team of fire safety advocates ready to serve all stakeholders in order to fulfill the vision of a safer world.

Contact: Vickie Pritchett
(615)533-0305
pritchett@nfsa.org

SOURCE National Fire Sprinkler Association

PDF of Press Release

More information from the State House News Service

More information available at the News Virginian