'Tis the Holiday Season for Fire Safety

Winter holidays are a time for families and friends to get together. But that also means a greater risk for fire. Your Christmas Tree is likely the centerpiece of your holiday decorations and its a fun family tradition every year. However, surprisingly that Christmas tree can be unsafe.

According to the National Fire Protection Association (N.F.P.A.) and the U.S. Fire Administration U.S.F.A.) an estimated 250 home fires involving Christmas trees and another 160 home fires involving holiday lights and other decorative lighting occur each year. Together , these fires annually result in 22 deaths and $30.2 million in property damage.

To make sure your Christmas and the rest of the holiday season merry and bright, but above all safe. Follow these tips for Christmas tree decorating and holiday lights.

• If you have a natural Christmas tree, make it's a container that holds water and water it so it won't dry out.
• Do not place your Christmas near wall space heaters, coal or wood burning stoves and fireplaces. And make sure it doesn't block any door ways or exits.
• Keep lit candles away from decorations and other things that can burn.
• Always check the decorative lights wiring before putting it on the tree to insure that there isn't any lose or frayed wires. Also check each light socket for any damage and that the light bulb fits in properly.
• Use lights that have the label of an independent testing laboratory. Some lights are only for indoor or outdoor use, but not both.
• Try not to keep your Christmas tree lights and indoor/outdoor decorative lights on longer than necessary, especially unsupervised. And make sure you turn them off before you go to bed.
• Use a surge protector for all your lighting and don't overload the surge protector and any wall outlets you consider using. Connect no more than three strands of mini light sets and a maximum of 50 bulbs for screw-in bulbs. Read manufacturer’s instructions for number of LED strands to connect.
• Use clips, not nails, to hang lights so the cords do not get damaged.
• Be careful with holiday decorations. Choose decorations that are flame resistant or flame retardant.

My family and I want to wish you and your family a safe and happy holiday season.

Our Best Regards,

The Chabre Family

Facts of Fire Sprinklers and Fire Systems

Fire Sprinkler System Facts

• The chances of a fire sprinkler head accidentally going off is extremely remote unless it's physically damaged.
• Fire sprinkler heads are heat-activated and smoke does not activate the fire sprinkler head.
• Each fire sprinkler head is rated for a certain degree depending on the building occupancy application. 
• Each fire sprinkler discharges individually, all fire sprinklers do not set-off at once.
• Residential fires are more often than not controlled with one fire sprinkler head.
• 92% of all fires are controlled with six or fewer heads.

Automatic Fire Sprinkler Systems

The automatic fire sprinkler system is the most widely used fire protection system today. The whole philosophy of sprinklers is based upon the premise of applying the right amount of water in the seat of the fire, at the right time and as quickly as possible. Many ordinary hazard fire sprinkler systems for industrial and commercial buildings have a water tank and pump to guarantee adequate water flow and pressure. Most cities and counties provide adequate water supply for residential, industrial and commercial occupancies.

Semi-recessed Sprinkler

Fire Sprinklers

There are several types of fire sprinklers:

Quick response
Standard response
Residential
ESFR


Quick, residential and standard response fire sprinklers release 8 to 24 gallons of water per minute as compared to a fire hose that releases from 50 to 125 gallons per minute.

Concealed Residential Sprinkler

A quick response fire sprinkler is a fire sprinkler designed to react immediately upon sensing a fire and  are heat activated, where the heat from a fire melts a fusible link that allows the fire sprinkler spray to put out the fire quickly.Quick response sprinklers are normally used in residential or commercial properties, where standard response sprinklers are used in industrial occupancies.

Each fire sprinkler head is rated for a certain degree (see chart below), depending on the occupancy application. As soon as the surrounding temperature reaches the rated degree the bulb or fusible link will burst and thus operate the flow of water in the fire sprinkler system.

Fire Sprinkler Head Chart

Property losses are 87% less in residences with fire sprinklers compared to those without sprinklers.
Water damage from a home fire sprinkler system will be much less severe than the damage caused by water from fire-fighting hose lines or smoke and fire damage if the fire goes unabated.


Two common types of fire sprinkler systems

A wet fire sprinkler system is commonly installed in areas where the ambient temperature is above 32 degrees F.
The fire sprinkler system is constantly charged with water under pressure. When a fire sprinkler head is activated water instantly flows on to the fire.

A dry fire sprinkler system is commonly installed in areas where the ambient temperature is at or below 32 degrees F.
The dry fire sprinkler system is constantly charged with compressed air, which holds the fire sprinkler valve in closed position. When a fire sprinkler head is activated, the air pressure is lost, the valve opens and water flows into the system to the open sprinkler head and on to the fire.

Testing and Certification of Fire Sprinkler Systems

The laws set forth by your local fire department and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) protect you by making sure that all fire related systems are tested at regular intervals to insure proper operation of that system.

Certification of automatic fire sprinkler systems in most jurisdictions should be certified annually. Check with your local Fire Department or local building code enforcement department.

Should I have my fire sprinkler system tested?
YES.  Your local fire department will notify you  as to when and how often this should be done.  The minimum testing would be annually and the maximum would be quarterly.  Check with your local Fire Department.

Who can test my fire sprinkler system?
Only a certified technician can test and certify your fire sprinkler system.

There are many publications that can provide further details of fire sprinkler systems. Also, visit your local fire department for free consultation and advise or contact the National Fire Protection Association, they have valuable pamphlets with lots of information. If you contact a fire sprinkler contractor check with the your state to make sure they are licensed, bonded and insured.

Remember "Fire Sprinklers Save Lives"