Key Dates

Campus Fire Safety Month
September
Currently, there is a national movement to proclaim September as Campus Fire Safety Month, to help educate incoming and returning college students each fall to the dangers of on-campus and off-campus housing fires and fire prevention measures. The measure is not official, although so far 31 states in the U.S. - including New Jersey - have approved the motion.

National Fire Prevention Week               
October 3-9, 2010
 Each October since 1922, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has sponsored a fire prevention campaign to raise awareness about the importance of fire safety and fire safety education. Fire Prevention Week is October 3-9, 2010 and this year’s theme is “Smoke Alarms: A Sound You Can Live With!”

 

Multimedia Downloads

Download our Audio Public Service Announcements SUMMER FALL WINTER

Side-by-side Burn Video Download of 41 MB Zip File
Fire Sprinkler Burn Demonstration Trailer Video
High-Rise Fire Safety PSA (audio)

Need Windows Media Player?

Download - Windows Media Player or Appropriate Format


Document Downloads

Studies & Fact Sheets
  Fact Sheets
    According to the New Jersey Division of Fire Safety in 2008
    • 2 firefighters died in the line of duty
    • 83 civilians lost their lives as the result of fire
    • 864 firefighters were reported injured
    • 471 civilians were reported injured as a result of fire
    • 78 percent of all civilian fire fatalities occurred in residential properties
    • 33,417 total fires were reported
    • Total reported property loss was $111,640,492.00
       
   

The Economic Impact of Fire Sprinklers
    • Fire sprinklers are cost-efficient, economically sound and can pay for themselves over time.
    • Many insurance companies offer discounts to owners who install fire sprinklers.  According to a review with the Insurance Service Offices in most states, discounts are approximately 15% off of the total homeowner premium when fire sprinklers and fire detectors are used together.
    • Fire sprinklers save money on water damages when a fire occurs.
       
    Residential Fire Sprinklers Are Green!
      The initial findings of a groundbreaking study on the environmental impact of home fire sprinklers were announced during a press conference at the International Builders’ Show in Las Vegas in January.  The study, a collaborative effort of FM Global and the Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition, involved the burning of two living rooms (each measuring 15x20x8), one of which had been outfitted with a quick-response sprinkler. The rooms were completely furnished with furniture, carpeting, flat-screen TVs, and curtains. In each room, a fire was ignited in a magazine rack.  In the event of a home fire where sprinklers are present:
  • the release of greenhouse gases (CO2) are reduced by 99%
  • the amount of water usage is reduced by 50%
  • the amount of fire damage to the room is less than 3%, compared to a 100% loss in the unprotected room.

To read more about this study please click here
 
      The 2007 U.S. fire loss clock
  • A fire department responded to a fire every 20 seconds.
  • One structure fire was reported every 59 seconds.
  • One home structure fire was reported every 79 seconds
  • One civilian fire injury was reported every 30 minutes.
  • One civilian fire death occurred every 2 hours and 33 minutes.
  • One outside fire was reported every 41 seconds.
  • One vehicle fire was reported every 122 seconds.
     
    The History of Fire Sprinklers
    • Fire sprinklers were invented over 100 years ago, and at the time were largely used in manufacturing facilities and textile mills.   It wasn't until roughly 40 years ago, during the mid-60's, that fire sprinklers were viewed and used as a life-saving device.   Since that time, fire sprinklers have evolved to apply to numerous other applications, including residential and even small commercial uses.
       
       
    Facts About Fire Sprinklers
    • To date, there has never been a multiple loss of life due to fire in a structure with a fully-installed and well-maintained sprinkler system.
    • The chances of dying in a fire are reduced by one-half to three-fourths and the average property loss is cut by one-half to two thirds, compared to fires where sprinklers are not present.
      Click here to download the whole NJFSAB fact sheet on Fire Sprinklers
       
  Fire Sprinklers - Myths vs. Facts
      Myth: Smoke sets off fire sprinklers.
      Fact:   Sprinklers are activated by heat, not smoke.   In fact, the heat necessary to set off your average sprinkler is anywhere from 150 to 165 degrees, in other words only the kind of heat a fire would create.
       
      Myth: A fire sets off all the fire sprinklers.
      Fact:   Only a sprinkler head that is close to a fire, the one affected by the initial heat of the fire, will activate. In 81% of structure fires, only one or two sprinkler heads activated.
       
      Myth: Fire sprinklers cause excessive water damage.
      Fact:   The average sprinkler produces between 15-25 gallons of water per minute, versus 150-250 gallons produced by a fire hose.   In structures with fire sprinklers, the average property loss by fire is cut by one-half to two-thirds, and in some cases even more, than structures without.   In most cases, structures without fire sprinklers are heavily or completely destroyed by the mix of fire and water damaged caused by fire hoses.
       
      Click here to download the whole NJFSAB fact sheet on Fire Sprinkler Myths
       
    Fire Prevention Safety Tips
    • Take time to check smoke detectors to ensure they are working properly and have full battery power.
    • Keep an up-to-date list of emergency fire, police and medical phone numbers near your telephone.   Show every member of your family where this information is kept and teach all children how to call for help in case of an emergency.
    • Develop an escape plan with your family from multiple rooms within your home, both upstairs and downstairs.
    • Consider researching and investing in residential fire sprinklers to protect your family and property.   If your residence has fire sprinklers, ensure that they are inspected periodically by trained professionals.
      Click here to download the whole NJFSAB fact sheet on Fire Prevention Safety Tips

Links to External Resources

National Fire Sprinkler Association:  (NFSA) A national non-profit organization which serves its members by educating and promoting the fire sprinkler industry. 
National Fire Sprinkler Association

National Fire Protection Association: The world's leading advocate of fire prevention and an authoritative source on public safety, NFPA develops, publishes, and disseminates more than 300 consensus codes and standards intended to minimize the possibility and effects of fire and other risks.
National Fire Protection Association

Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition: The Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition (HFSC) informs the public about the life-saving value of home fire sprinkler protection. The nonprofit Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition (HFSC) is a charitable organization and the leading resource for independent, noncommercial information about residential fire sprinklers.
Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition

New Jersey Division of Fire Safety:  Within the Bureau of Fire Department Services there are several units. Each unit services the public in many different ways, investigating fires, providing education and training to fire personnel, and reporting incident statistics.
 New Jersey Division of Fire Safety 

The Center for Campus Fire Safety:  The Center for Campus Fire Safety is a non-profit 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.
 The Center for Campus Fire Safety

United Association: The United Association seeks to assist interested, qualified persons to obtain information and identify opportunities regarding training and employment in the union pipe trades industry. Profiles submitted through this system will be forwarded to appropriate United Association Local Unions and affiliated Training Programs to be considered by those organizations.
United Association

U.S. Fire Administration:  As an entity of the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency, the mission of the USFA is to foster a solid foundation in prevention, preparedness, and response by providing national leadership to local fire and emergency services.
U.S. Fire Administration

NFSA Northern Illinois Chapter: The Northern Illinois Fire Sprinkler Advisory Board is a Not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting progressive legislation, raising public awareness, educating code officials and governmental policy makers by demonstrating the proven performance of fire sprinklers in saving both lives and property.
NFSA Northern Illinois Chapter

Campus Firewatch:  Campus Firewatch started out as a monthly, electronic newsletter focusing on the complex issues of campus fire safety. In publication since May 2000, it is read by campus fire officers, state and local fire officials, insurance professionals, equipment manufacturers and all fifty state fire marshals and their staff.
 Campus Firewatch 

Home Safety Council:  The Home Safety Council (HSC) is the only national nonprofit organization solely dedicated to preventing home related injuries that result in nearly 20,000 deaths and 21 million medical visits on average each year.
Home Safety Council
   
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