The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reacted with harsh criticism to the recent proposal that sought to exempt homes with a fire extinguisher in the kitchen, from the International Residential Code that requires all homes to have fire sprinklers. The proposal was deemed “tragically misguided” by a NFPA spokeswoman.
The Fire Sprinkler Initiative by NFPA that has been revolutionizing the way fire safety is ordained in the U.S. with increased impetus on automated and sprinklers systems that go off on their own, buying the house inmates precious time to escape from a raging fire. Maria Figueroa, Communications Project Manager, Fire Sprinkler Initiative, NFPA, had mentioned that too many things were wrong with the proposal that deemed fire extinguishers sufficient in case of a fire emergency.
Such criticism is based on a number of solid facts too. Fire extinguishers require specialized training in handling and operation. In addition, they require timely servicing and periodic testing to ensure that they are working smoothly. If being handled by an amateur, not only will they cause loss of precious time to escape but could also end up entirely ineffective due to lack of maneuverability. To let the fire go unrelenting like this is a huge threat not just for the particular family but the neighborhood too.
Figueroa went on to add that the problem is even worst at night when inmates are asleep. Wile you may hear the fire alarms go off, you may be blocked by the fire when trying to reach out for the fire extinguisher. Also, frail seniors and children may not be able to operate them at all. So the use of fire extinguishers has been labeled fairly inadequate in kitchens and homes, by the Fire Sprinklers Initiative of NFPA.
Fire remains one of the biggest domestic hazards claiming thousands of lives each year and millions of dollars worth of property loss. While fire extinguishers are a very helpful object to have under hand for emergencies, comprehensive is incomplete without a complete fire alarm with smoke detectors and sprinklers. That is why letting one- and two-family dwelling homes be exempted from the IRC’s sprinkler mandate would be compromising in the safety of a number of people. Also to be stressed in the regard is the fact that the kitchen is the 3rd on the list of the places in a house susceptible to the deadliest fires, faulty heating and careless smoking being other major reasons. A fire extinguisher may not be sufficient to address all these and hence, sprinklers are all the more important.
Gary Nash
Author – Gary has been with us for 3 years, but already has expert knowledge of the home security industry. He’s in charge of company research and news. Zach works to ensure that the site provides the most accurate and timely news in the industry.