Fire Sprinkler Contains Commercial Dryer Fire

June 7, 2021
MACHESNEY PARK, IL
– A single sprinkler controlled a fire in a large commercial dryer. According to a North Park Fire Protection District Facebook post, the sprinkler controlled the fire until crews arrived. There was zero visibility in the basement where the fire occurred. The sprinkler saved tens of thousands (if not more) dollars in fire and smoke damage, and prevented possible injury to staff and residents.

North Park Dryer Fire-2 North Park Dryer Fire 6/21-1

Source: North Park Fire Protection District Facebook page

2021-06-17T10:11:57-05:00June 7th, 2021|Comments Off on Fire Sprinkler Contains Commercial Dryer Fire

FEMA Grant Funds Fire Sprinkler Installation During Beecher Fire Station Renovation

From left to right) Fire District President Margie Cook, Lieutenant Matt Shronts, Firefighter Stef Nolen-Ragland, Fire Chief Joe Falaschetti, Firefighter Brian Reyna, Firefighter Jacob Reece, Firefighter Logan Loughlin in front of the newly renovated Beecher fire station. The fire sprinklers will protect the firefighters and equipment.

Orland Park, IL (April 15, 2021) – Last year, the Beecher Fire Protection District received a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) to fund the installation of a fire sprinkler system, part of a major fire station renovation. Fire Chief Joe Falaschetti, who submitted the grant application, is proud of the new station and its capabilities. He is also relieved that the firefighters and equipment inside the building are protected from fire. This is especially important since it is the only station that serves the entire community and surrounding unincorporated areas of Will County – 54 total square miles

“The renovation was long overdue,” said Falaschetti. “The old station had two small electrical fires in the past three years, prompting a change. It is important to protect those who are ready to respond to calls.”

Built in 1983 as an “unmanned” volunteer station, the 8,500 square foot building was converted to a “paid-on-call” station in 2001. By 2004, the station was staffed 24 hours. The whole renovation project cost $4 million and increased the building to 14,400 square feet. It was a significant savings compared to building a new station at more than $9 million.

Originally, FEMA awarded Beecher $93,109. At the time, Falaschetti said they were working on the renovation plans and that figure had been a rough estimate for the sprinkler system. When the renovation was complete, the final cost for the fire sprinkler system was $127,000. Falaschetti submitted an amendment and was able to receive funds for the balance. Not only was the renovation a savings to the community compared to building a new station, but it also did not result in any tax increases.

Falaschetti also said they have established a new fire prevention bureau. “We are pushing code, inspection, testing, and maintenance compliance,” he said. “As our community grows, we want to see more residential and commercial buildings protected with fire sprinklers. Protecting the fire station and the firefighters who sleep in it is an excellent way to lead by example.”

Nelson Fire Protection installed the dry system.

Beecher Fire Department Remodel with Sprinklers

The newly renovated fire station is the only station that serves the entire community and surrounding unincorporated areas of Will County – 54 total square miles

Beecher Fire Department Remodel with Sprinklers

The new entrance to the renovated fire station.

Beecher Fire Department Remodel with Sprinklers

The entire fire station, including the bay is protected with fire sprinklers.

FEMA Grant Funds Fire Sprinkler Installation During Beecher Fire Station Renovation

Nelson Fire Protection installed the dry fire sprinkler system.

Beecher Fire Department Remodel with Sprinklers

Fire sprinkler fitters from Nelson Fire Protection installing the riser.

Beecher Fire Department Remodel with Sprinklers

Beecher Fire Department Remodel with Sprinklers

Beecher Fire Department Remodel with Sprinklers

Beecher Fire Protection District Board of Trustees are also protected when they meet in the new conference room.

Beecher Fire Department Remodel with Sprinklers

Fire Chief Joe Falaschetti with his crew at the kitchen table. He said the renovation was long overdue. The old station had two small electrical fires in the past three years. Now all the living space is protected with fire sprinklers.

Beecher Fire Department Remodel with Sprinklers

The newly renovated fire station has eight bunk rooms, each protected with a fire sprinkler.

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About the Northern Illinois Fire Sprinkler Advisory Board (NIFSAB)
NIFSAB is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting progressive legislation, raising public awareness, and educating code officials and governmental policy makers by demonstrating the proven performance of fire sprinklers in saving both lives and property. For more information, visit FireSprinklerAssoc.org.

2021-04-29T11:47:21-05:00April 23rd, 2021|Comments Off on FEMA Grant Funds Fire Sprinkler Installation During Beecher Fire Station Renovation

Fire Sprinkler Prevents Fire From Spreading at Target Store

February 10, 2021
BEDFORD PARK, IL – A single fire sprinkler held a fire in check until crews arrived at a Target store in Bedford Park. According to the Bedford Park Fire Department, the fire occurred in a merchandise storage area when a forklift stuck a suspended heating unit gas line. No injuries were reported.

Source: Bedford Park Fire Department.

 

2021-06-09T11:02:09-05:00February 10th, 2021|Comments Off on Fire Sprinkler Prevents Fire From Spreading at Target Store

Tragic Fire Supports Des Plaines Home Fire Sprinkler Requirement

Orland Park, IL (January 27, 2021) – The deadly home fire in Des Plaines where four children under the age of six and their 25-year old mother died today is a sad reminder of why requiring fire sprinklers in new homes is vital, according to Erik Hoffer, Executive Director, Northern Illinois Fire Sprinkler Advisory Board (NIFSAB).

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that house fires can become deadly in as little as two minutes due to the contents in homes. Furniture and other belongings are now made of synthetic materials that burn fast and produce toxic smoke. People at highest risk are those that have trouble escaping quickly like young children, as in today’s fire, as well as the elderly and people with disabilities.

Just over fifteen years ago, the Des Plaines City Council passed an ordinance requiring the installation of automatic fire sprinklers in all newly constructed one- and two-family homes. Existing homes undergoing major additions are also required to retrofit.

“Today’s fire is so tragic. Our thoughts are with the family, firefighters and the mourning community,” Hoffer said. “People don’t realize how deadly fires can be. It is unfortunate this home was built before the ordinance was passed. But it reinforces why the ordinance is so important for the safety of residents and firefighters. As more homes are built with fire sprinklers, the risk of future fire tragedies will greatly decrease.”

“Smoke alarms are necessary as they are important early warning for occupants, but only fire sprinklers can control or extinguish a fire, allowing occupants the pathway to escape,” noted Hoffer. “They are individually activated by the heat from a fire while it is still small, preventing it from spread beyond the area of origin. Most often, a single fire sprinkler is all that is needed to control the spread of deadly heat and toxic smoke,” he said.

According to NIFSAB, there are more than 110 municipalities and fire protection districts in Illinois that require fire sprinklers in all new construction, regardless of building type, through the adoption of ordinances and model codes provided by the International Code Council and the NFPA.

 

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About the Northern Illinois Fire Sprinkler Advisory Board (NIFSAB)
NIFSAB is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting progressive legislation, raising public awareness, and educating code officials and governmental policy makers by demonstrating the proven performance of fire sprinklers in saving both lives and property. For more information, visit FireSprinklerAssoc.org.

2021-01-27T18:26:27-06:00January 27th, 2021|Comments Off on Tragic Fire Supports Des Plaines Home Fire Sprinkler Requirement

Fire Sprinklers Keep French Village Hotel Fire In Check

January 25, 2021
FRENCH VILLAGE, IL
  – Fire sprinklers stopped a fire from spreading in a second floor hotel room. When the French Village Fire Department arrived, they found smoke on the second floor and sprinklers controlling the fire. Firefighters extinguished the remaining fire. One person had minor injuries.

Source: French Village FD Facebook

 

2021-06-15T15:30:51-05:00January 25th, 2021|Comments Off on Fire Sprinklers Keep French Village Hotel Fire In Check

Fire Sprinkler Controls North Aurora Townhouse Fire

January 24, 2021
NORTH AURORA, IL
– Fire sprinklers stopped a fire from spreading in a townhouse garage. North Aurora firefighters did not see smoke or fire upon arrival until they opened the garage. Fire sprinklers activated, preventing the fire from spreading. No injuries were reported.

SourceDaily Herald

 

2021-06-15T14:34:28-05:00January 24th, 2021|Comments Off on Fire Sprinkler Controls North Aurora Townhouse Fire

Two Waukegan Apartment Fires on the Same Day With Different Outcomes

January 18, 2021
WAUKEGAN, IL
  – A single fire sprinkler extinguished a kitchen fire in a 3-story apartment building in Waukegan. When firefighters arrived, the fire was extinguished and no injuries were reported.

This apartment fire sprinkler save was in sharp contrast to a high-rise apartment fire later in the day where the Waukegan Fire Department responded to a fire on the 10th floor of a 12-story building. An elderly man was found dead inside the unsprinklered unit. According to the Waukegan Fire Department, only the corridors and stairwells are protected with sprinklers, not the individual apartments. Both fires appeared to be the result of cooking.

Source: Patch.com

2021-06-15T15:05:50-05:00January 18th, 2021|Comments Off on Two Waukegan Apartment Fires on the Same Day With Different Outcomes

Fire Sprinklers Contain Bartlett Warehouse Fire and Protect Firefighters

January 12, 2021
BARTLETT, IL
– Fire sprinklers controlled a fire in a 400,000-square-foot warehouse in Bartlett where dense, high-piled cardboard beverage trays used by fast-food restaurants were being stored.

According to Fire Marshal Michael Heimbecker, Bartlett Fire Protection District, when the fire crew arrived, warehouse employees reported smoke and flames inside the buildings. The warehouse was filled with smoke creating very poor visibility. Crews found three sprinklers controlled a deep-seated fire burning within a high-piled dense cardboard.

Heimbecker said the sprinklers held the fire to the area of origin and helped firefighters extinguish the fire. Without sprinklers, the potential loss to the three businesses operating in the building would have been significant with approximately $30 million in product located in the building.

No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire was accidental.

Sources: Daily Herald and Bartlett Fire Protection District Press Release

2021-06-29T10:27:31-05:00January 12th, 2021|Comments Off on Fire Sprinklers Contain Bartlett Warehouse Fire and Protect Firefighters

Fire Sprinkler Contains Fire in Evanston Multi-Family Apartment

January 11, 2021
Evanston fire 1/11/21

EVANSTON, IL  – A fire sprinkler helped contain a fire on the third floor of a multi-family apartment building. When fire crews arrived, they encountered moderate smoke and fire conditions. The sprinkler contained the fire while firefighters extinguished the fire. One occupant in the unit where the fire occurred was unresponsive and taken to the hospital. All other occupants were able to safely escape.

Source: City of Evanston Press Release

2021-06-15T15:02:02-05:00January 11th, 2021|Comments Off on Fire Sprinkler Contains Fire in Evanston Multi-Family Apartment

Illinois Joins Nationwide Virtual Campaign to Address Home Fire Problem

 

HFSW Logo 2020

Orland Park, IL (May 14, 2020) – According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), a home fire can become deadly in as little as two minutes. That is largely due to the fact that today’s common synthetic furnishings burn hotter and faster and produce deadly toxic smoke when compared with the natural-material furnishings of decades ago. Although the number of home fires has come down over the years, residents are more likely to die if they have a home fire today than they were in 1980.

During the current COVID-19 pandemic, it has become increasingly evident through news coverage that stay-at-home mandates are in direct correlation with an increase in home cooking fires. This emphasizes the importance of the need to educate about fire safety, including fire sprinklers in new homes. Home fire sprinklers can help eliminate these unneeded tragedies.

The Northern Illinois Fire Sprinkler Advisory Board (NIFSAB), along with other members of the Illinois Fire Sprinkler Coalition, will virtually spread the word about the lifesaving benefits of home fire sprinklers during Home Fire Sprinkler Week, May 17 – 23. The North American-wide virtual campaign is a project of the NFPA Fire Sprinkler Initiative and the Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition (HFSC).

Throughout the week, fire departments and fire safety groups across the U.S. will access digital content at the Home Fire Sprinkler Week website and encourage their audiences to read and share daily home fire safety messaging. They will be posting home fire sprinkler videos, graphics and other information on their websites, through social media and via local news outlets.

According to Erik Hoffer, executive director, NIFSAB, home fire sprinklers have been in national model codes since 2009. More than 110 towns and fire districts in Illinois require home fire sprinklers installed in all new construction.

“During the week, we recognize elected officials, fire chiefs and members of the fire service who played a role in requiring fire sprinklers in new homes,” Hoffer said. “We want the public to understand how home fire sprinklers work and why they are vital in protecting residents and first responders. We hope to someday see a day when every new home built in Illinois and nationwide is protected with home fire sprinklers.”

For a list of Illinois towns and fire districts protected with home fire sprinklers visit: https://homelifesafety.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/NIFSAB-13D-Ordinance-Towns-B.pdf

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2023-06-05T16:07:17-05:00May 14th, 2020|Comments Off on Illinois Joins Nationwide Virtual Campaign to Address Home Fire Problem
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