NFPA President Jim Shannon took exception to comments made in a recent Boston Globe article by sprinkler opponents saying that sprinklers have not been proving to be more effective in saving lives than smoke detectors. Shannon's letter, printed today, shot back with the facts. He stated, "That is simply not true." His letter went on to site the statistics that prove the life and property saving value of sprinklers. Working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in a reported home fire by about 50 percent. The risk of dying decreases by about 80 percent when sprinklers are present. The coverage came as part of NFPA's continuing work with every major fire service organization in the state to oppose action by the Massachusetts Board of Building Regulations and Standards to omit the provision for fire sprinklers in new one and two family homes from the building code. For more information on the Massachusetts action visit www.firesprinklersma.org.
It is not uncommon for opponents to use inaccurate information or use NFPA statistics out of context. NFPA's Fire Sprinkler Initiative provides research reports and statistical information to help advocates make the case for home fire sprinklers in their communities.
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