By Josh Morgan – Cheshire Herald

Approximately 40 homes in Cheshire are already equipped with fire suppression sprinkler systems, but that number was increased recently when a development was completed in town and local fire department authorities are applauding the action.

“There are certain criteria that has to be met to require residential sprinklers,” explained Cheshire Fire Chief Jack Casner. “But the majority of fire deaths occur in one and two family homes.”

In 2007, there were more than 400,000 residential structure fires that resulted in more than 2,600 deaths and nearly five times as many injuries. With over $7 billion worth of fire damage caused nationally in 2007, Casner believes those numbers could have been greatly reduced if residential sprinklers were prevalent in many homes.

“This could be the answer because new or old houses still burn,” Casner said. “Sprinklers can bridge the lag time from the call to our arrival on the scene. Sprinklers help keep the fire in check and a family could escape.”

Local developer Phillip Bowman recently completed “Cook Hill Crossing,” a three-lot subdivision off of Cook Hill Road. He installed sprinklers in each one of the homes and consulted with the fire department throughout the entire process. He had the option of extending the water mains and installing fire hydrants, but because of the deep access to one of the homes, sprinklers would have been required anyway, Bowman said. The sprinklers are not noticeable from the walls or ceilings because the heads are covered with a plate and will only shoot out when the temperature hits 135 degrees.

According to the United States Fire Administration, adding a sprinkler system in new construction could cost between $1 and $2 a square foot. For a 2,000 square foot home, a system would cost an additional $2,000 to $4,000. For homeowners, insurance benefits can be obtained by having fire suppression sprinklers. Bowman said it “wasn’t overly expensive” to add the sprinklers, but added that it “wasn’t cheap either.”

“It’s not that big of a deal from an installation standpoint, there are just extra costs,” Bowman said. “However, (the cost) is not really a (project) killer.”

Casner said Bowman was “one of the first developers to talk specifics” with the department, which proved to be beneficial during the process.

“There are still a lot of myths out there about sprinklers, like, if one goes off they all go off soaking the entire house. That’s only in Hollywood.” Casner explained. “Sprinklers might not extinguish the fire, but they buy time to get you out of the house. They save lives.”

Fire Marshall Jeff Boland said sprinkler systems are a “big deal” and are second to residential fire safety only to smoke detectors. Boland explained that there were currently no federal or state building codes or mandates for developers to install sprinklers, but a change could be on the horizon. An addition in 2008 to the International Residential Code requires new one or two family homes to be equipped with fire suppression sprinklers, but the state is still relying on the 2003 regulations, Boland explained. There is a contingent of lobbyists against the regulation and believe it should be voluntary, not mandatory, to install the sprinklers.

“It’s always been voluntary,” Boland said. “It’s not a law, it’s just a standard.”

Casner said that, when a new home is being constructed, owners usually think of the niceties, such a marble counter tops and hardwood flooring, but for a fraction of that price, sprinklers could be installed and might save their lives. Casner said sprinklers are required in schools, hospitals, museums, and other commercial buildings, but doesn’t understand why they couldn’t be installed in residential properties.

“There are so many options and things to spend money on, people should think about spending the money on sprinklers,” Casner said. “Most structure fires are residential, so sprinklers provide another level of comfort. For what they cost, it’s a relatively small price to pay.”

Bowman added that anytime an addition like sprinklers is added to a home, the cost is built into the sale price or “the builder eats it.” He said he has heard of potential changes to the code and hoped that people would educate themselves on residential sprinkler systems before making decisions.

“The costs are passed on but, at the same time, looking at the big picture, all it takes is for someone’s life to be saved and it will all be worth it,” Bowman said. “At the end of the day, that’s what really matters. They are being put in for a good reason.”

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