The United States Fire Administration (USFA), in partnership with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), have released the findings of a research project to demonstrate the value of residential fire sprinklers on the heat release rate of a dry Christmas tree fire.
Previously I commented on a video released by NIST showing just how quickly a dry Christmas tree can burn. This original video shocked millions, especially those families that bring a Christmas tree into their home for the holidays. A primary message to the public was “get those Christmas trees out of your house before they dry out!”
What an important safety message to spread considering that according to NIST, trees used indoors during the holiday season account for approximately 400 house fires each year. The consequences of these fires include 10 deaths, 80 injuries and more than $15 million in property damage.
Now USFA and NIST have taken things an important step further. Their research and findings report and the videos below validate the incredible effectiveness of residential fire sprinkler systems in controlling even the intense burn of a dry Christmas tree.
Christmas Tree Fire – No Sprinklers
(no audio) Ignition occurs at 0 seconds; flames spread to ceiling at 7 seconds; tree is fully engulfed in flames at 25 seconds; furniture upholstery starts to melt at 30 seconds; sofa burns at 45 seconds; compartment transitions to flashover at 60 seconds; damage to compartment is consistent with flashover conditions as there is burn damage throughout the room from floor to ceiling at 1 minute and 25 seconds (end of video).
Christmas Tree Fire – With Sprinklers
(no audio) Ignition occurs at 0 seconds; flames spread to ceiling at 7 seconds; sprinkler activates at 10 seconds; much of tree is engulfed in flames at 20 seconds; tree continues to burn at 1 minute; tree continues to burn at 1 minute and 30 seconds; small portion of sofa in contact with the tree ignites at 2 minutes and 30 seconds; fire is completely extinguished by sprinkler within 3 minutes and 30 seconds; water from the sprinkler kept portions of the tree below point of ignition from burning, limited the flame spread on the furnishings, and the compartment did not flashover at 7 minutes and 10 seconds (end of video).
In my comments on the original video released I speculated that “a fire sprinkler would not only slow down the fire and reduce the amount of smoke, in some cases it may even be able to extinguish the fire and save the home from destruction.” Now, thanks to this further research, the life and property saving capabilities of residential fire sprinklers is validated once again.
To see how damaging a real house fire can be without residential fire sprinklers visit Home Fire Loss Case Study.
To see real examples of people who have taken action to install fire sprinkler systems in their homes visit Installing Residential Fire Sprinklers Case Study.
Steve Underhill
Steve Underhill December 9, 2009 at 4:24 am
Hi I work for the Dorset Fire & Rescue service in the UK. We are currently trying to promote the use of domestic sprinklers within our county. Could you please send me the Christmas tree fire (Sprink & Un-Sprink) video footage so that I may use it whilst demonstrating our own domestic sprinkler unit? Any footage of tests carried out would be grealy appreciated.
Congratulations on a very informative website.
Ryan J. Smith
Ryan J. Smith December 11, 2009 at 7:15 pm
@Steve, thanks for the positive feedback. I’ll contact you direct via email with further information on the videos. I am happy to help support your efforts to promote the use of residential fire sprinklers.
Dave
Dave January 3, 2010 at 2:46 pm
Hi there first time on the site we are building a home that has its own well and ashamed to say I to looked at all the nice to have trinkets for the home. Our foundations have just been poured and we will contact our builder tomorrow to get some quotes for a domestic system so any recommendations for installers around the Calgary Alberta, Canada areas would be appreciated. Just wondered how the systems would stand up to our cold weather.
V. Merit
V. Merit January 8, 2010 at 3:41 pm
Dave: Appropo of my own post on the related issue of a frozen PVC sprinkler pipe bursting and flooding our home, I’d make these two remarks:
1. If you feel you must have a sprinkler system, it is TRULY foolish to not use PEX as opposed to PVC, particularly because you have the annual issue of very cold temperatures to contend with.
2. Recharging a system with glycol every three years – which is a necessity in colder climes – is NOT inexpensive. It cost us over $1000.00 last fall which is a pretty hefty price to pay for the privilege of having a sprinkler system you will likely never need. So at the very least you have to factor this expense in to your ongoing costs for the system.
Using your terminology, I’d consider this a very costly “trinket.”
J. Ruby
J. Ruby January 15, 2010 at 12:30 pm
If using pex lines for the sprinkler system why not use a loop system and connect the whole thing. That way when ever you turn on a cold water faucet, water will also be traveling through the sprinkler system and help to prevent any clogging of the sprinkler heads.
Just a thought.
george
george January 19, 2010 at 10:25 am
To counter V. Merit in comment #4 above, a properly cleaned, tested, and filled system with glycol should not require complete refilling every three years. Properly maintained systems should yield 7-10 years of service, or more. The type of piping, as well as exposure to air will determine how long the glycol remains effective.
Ralph
Ralph November 13, 2010 at 12:05 pm
When considering residential sprinklers in colder climates, you need to check the latest NFPA TIA for anti freeze. If you are building a new home, you might consider using copper or steel pipe and installing a dry pipe system, since the use of anti-freeze soultions has been recommended against by NFPA.