Fire sprinkler systems are a foundation of fire protection strategies in buildings of all types. Their primary purpose is to control or extinguish fires before they can cause significant damage, saving lives and property in the process. As fire and building safety professionals, we understand that prevention is the best defense, but when prevention fails, fire sprinklers stand as a proven line of defense.
In this blog post, we will review several recent incidents where fire sprinkler systems played a vital role in reducing fire damage and preventing greater loss. These real-world examples showcase the effectiveness of sprinklers in various settings, from high-rise apartments to commercial spaces.
How Fire Sprinkler Systems Work
Fire sprinklers operate automatically when heat from a fire reaches a predetermined temperature. Each sprinkler head is triggered individually, meaning only those near the fire will activate, which minimizes water damage. Once triggered, the sprinkler head releases water to suppress or extinguish the flames. Fire sprinklers are incredibly efficient; according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), they operate in 90% of all fires, reducing fire deaths by about 87% when installed in buildings.
Sprinkler Save Summaries
Title: Apartment building sprinkler system douses kitchen blaze
Location: Wilmington, Delaware, USA
Summary: A stovetop fire in a high-rise apartment building was quickly extinguished by the building’s sprinkler system. Firefighters responded to a water flow alarm and found the sprinklers had activated on the 7th floor, preventing the fire from spreading. Though water from the sprinklers caused some damage, power was restored to most apartments soon after the incident.
Link to original article: WDEL News
Title: E-Bike catches fire while charging at Busan Convention Center
Location: Busan, South Korea
Summary: An electric bike fire in the underground parking lot of a convention center was controlled by the building's sprinkler system. The fire caused only minor property damage, and no injuries were reported. Firefighters arrived to extinguish the remaining flames, and investigators believe the e-bike’s detachable battery may have been the source of the fire.
Link to original article: The Korea Times
Title: Dorm fire at UMass sparks late-night evacuation
Location: Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
Summary: A fire started by an unattended candle in a UMass dorm room was extinguished by the building’s sprinkler system. The sprinkler activation caused some water damage to several floors, leading to a temporary evacuation of the building. Fortunately, there were no injuries, and most residents were allowed to return within a few hours.
Link to original article: WWLP News
Title: Kitchen fire at Riverview Apartments in Bellows Falls
Location: Bellows Falls, Vermont, USA
Summary: A kitchen fire at Riverview Apartments activated the building's sprinkler system, containing the blaze before firefighters arrived. Smoke filled the building, requiring the evacuation of residents. Multiple fire departments responded to ensure the building was safe for reentry.
Link to original article: Brattleboro Reformer
Title: Effingham Fire Department battles overnight furniture store fire
Location: Effingham, Illinois, USA
Summary: A fire broke out at Bob’s Discount furniture store, and the building’s sprinkler system activated, preventing the fire from spreading. Firefighters used water extinguishers to put out the remaining fire, with total damages primarily due to smoke and water. No injuries were reported.
Link to original article: Yahoo News
Title: Fire at Quebec City's Château Frontenac forces evacuation of 14th floor
Location: Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
Summary: A fire on the 14th floor of the Château Frontenac was controlled by the building's sprinkler system, which activated early, containing the flames. Firefighters evacuated guests on the affected floor, and the fire was fully extinguished without injuries. Water damage was the primary concern.
Link to original article: Montreal Gazette
Title: Resident displaced in apartment fire
Location: Wilson, North Carolina, USA
Summary: A kitchen fire at St. James Plaza apartments was extinguished by the building’s sprinkler system before firefighters arrived. The resident was displaced due to water damage, and no injuries were reported.
Link to original article: Restoration NewsMedia
Title: Lithium battery explosion suspected cause of fire that prompted evacuation at Kansas Star Casino
Location: Mulvane, Kansas, USA
Summary: A fire at the Kansas Star Casino, suspected to have been caused by a lithium battery explosion, was quickly controlled by the sprinkler system, preventing major damage. The casino was evacuated, and no injuries were reported.
Link to original article: KWCH News
Title: Medical emergency occurs during Chico apartment fire response
Location: Chico, California, USA
Summary: A fire at the Urban apartment buildings was controlled by the sprinkler system, minimizing damage. Shortly after the fire, a medical emergency occurred on-site, though details were not provided. The fire caused minimal damage, and there were no fire-related injuries.
Link to original article: Action News Now
Title: Toms River Marina Garage Damaged by Fire
Location: Toms River, New Jersey, USA
Summary: A fire at a marina garage was contained by the sprinkler system before firefighters arrived. The building was declared unsafe, but no major injuries occurred. The fire is suspected to be accidental and is under investigation.
Link to original article: Shore News Network
Title: Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service responds to fire on Main Street
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Summary: A hotel fire on Main Street was quickly controlled by the building’s sprinkler system. Firefighters evacuated some occupants, and no injuries were reported.
Link to original article: City of Winnipeg
Title: Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service responds to fire on Ross Avenue
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Summary: A fire in a two-story apartment building on Ross Avenue was controlled by the sprinkler system. The building was evacuated due to water damage, and one person was transported to the hospital.
Link to original article: City of Winnipeg
The Impact of Fire Sprinkler Systems
As demonstrated by the above cases, fire sprinkler systems are vital in reducing fire risk, property damage, and most importantly, saving lives. Data from the NFPA shows that when sprinklers are present, the average property loss per fire is reduced by 69%. These systems provide peace of mind and help ensure that fires are controlled long before they can cause devastating effects.
Fire sprinkler systems continue to be one of the most effective tools in fire safety. Their ability to contain or extinguish fires quickly is not only life-saving but also essential for protecting property and minimizing disruptions. Each of the cases presented highlights the critical role sprinklers play in safeguarding communities.
References
Brattleboro Reformer. (2024, September 3). Kitchen fire at Riverview Apartments in Bellows Falls. https://www.reformer.com/local-news/kitchen-fire-at-riverview-apartments-in-bellows-falls
City of Winnipeg. (2024, September 4). Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service responds to fire on Ross Avenue. https://www.winnipeg.ca/news/2024-09-04-winnipeg-fire-paramedic-service-responds-fire-ross-avenue
City of Winnipeg. (2024, September 9). Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service responds to fire on Main Street. https://www.winnipeg.ca/news/2024-09-09-winnipeg-fire-paramedic-service-responds-fire-main-street
KWCH News. (2024, September 6). Lithium battery explosion suspected cause of fire that prompted evacuation at Kansas Star Casino. https://www.kwch.com/2024/09/06/lithium-battery-explosion-suspected-cause-fire-that-prompted-evacuation-kansas-star-casino
Montreal Gazette. (2024, September 3). Fire at Quebec City's Château Frontenac forces evacuation of 14th floor. https://montrealgazette.com/news/quebec/chateau-frontenac-fire-evacuation
Restoration NewsMedia. (2024, September 3). Resident displaced in apartment fire. https://restorationnewsmedia.com/articles/wilsontimes/resident-displaced-in-apartment-complex-fire
Shore News Network. (2024, September 6). Toms River Marina Garage Damaged by Fire. https://www.shorenewsnetwork.com/2024/09/06/toms-river-marina-garage-damaged-by-fire
The Korea Times. (2024, September 9). E-Bike catches fire while charging at Busan Convention Center. https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2024/09/113_382224.html
WDEL News. (2024, September 8). Apartment building sprinkler system douses kitchen blaze. https://www.wdel.com/news/apartment-building-sprinkler-system-douses-kitchen-blaze
WWLP News. (2024, September 2). Dorm fire at UMass sparks late-night evacuation. https://www.wwlp.com/news/local-news/hampshire-county/dorm-fire-at-umass-sparks-late-night-evacuation
Yahoo News. (2024, September 6). Effingham Fire Department battles overnight furniture store fire. https://www.yahoo.com/news/effingham-fire-department-battles-overnight-145459531.html
Action News Now. (2024, September 1). Medical emergency occurs during Chico apartment fire response. https://www.actionnewsnow.com/news/medical-emergency-occurs-during-chico-apartment-fire-response
National Fire Protection Association. (2021). U.S. experience with sprinklers. NFPA. https://www.nfpa.org/-/media/Files/News-and-Research/Fire-statistics-and-reports/Suppression/osSprinklers.pdf
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