March 13, 2005|By Ellie Baublitz | Ellie Baublitz,SUN STAFF
Inside a specially built trailer, a technician from the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute lit a fire in a trash can containing rolls of paper. Within seconds, yellow flames caught a muslin curtain hanging above and smoke filled the trailer. A smoke detector screamed its alarm, within 15 seconds a side wall sprinkler sprayed the room, and the fire was extinguished in 35 seconds, using only about five gallons of water.
In less time than the Carroll County 911 Center could dispatch a fire engine, the home sprinkler extinguished the blaze.
After watching the demonstration, County Commissioner Perry L. Jones Jr. said, "Even if you live in town close to the fire department, it can take five to 10 minutes to get to you. There's a prime example [of the need for sprinklers] - 35 seconds."
Jones, a former Union Bridge mayor who is also a volunteer firefighter, has voiced his support for a proposed countywide ordinance that would require sprinklers in all new one- and two-family homes built in the county. The Carroll County Volunteer Emergency Services Association has already presented the proposal to the commissioners.
"Nearly all the municipalities are on board with this ordinance," Jones told the other commissioners recently. "If Carroll County comes up with this, it could become a national model. I know from other counties and towns that there is a lot of interest."
A sprinkler system in a new home can cost as little as 1 percent to 1 1/2 percent of the cost of the home, or the same as upgrading carpeting, according to a brochure from the Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition.
In addition, owners can save 8 percent to 13 percent on their home insurance, depending on how extensive the sprinkler system is, said Fred Brower of Insurance Service Office Inc., an organization that calculates risk factors for insurance companies.
Mount Airy enacted an ordinance two years ago requiring sprinklers in new single-family homes built in the town, said Mount Airy Volunteer Fire Company Deputy Chief Doug Alexander. The first homes under the ordinance are being built, he said.
The town's ordinance became the basis for the proposed county ordinance, said Richard Green Sr., chairman of the association's sprinkler committee.
The Westminster Common Council wants to move ahead with the ordinance and will probably introduce the ordinance at its meeting tomorrow, said Mayor Kevin Dayhoff.
"Sprinklers are basic health, life and safety issues," Dayhoff said. "I think we're going to set the standard for the state if all the towns adopt a sprinkler ordinance."
County ordinances, such as a sprinkler law, do not take effect in the towns. But each municipality can "either adopt their own or opt into the county's ordinance," said Kimberly Millender, county attorney.
Firefighters said such a law will not only save lives, property and money, but also make their jobs easier and safer. As part of its push to move the sprinkler ordinance forward, the firefighters group gave the sprinkler demonstration in a specially built trailer recently at the Westminster firehouse.
"There are three major benefits to sprinklers," Alexander said. "They allow the firefighters more time to reach the victims; they create a safer environment for the firefighters; and there is less severity of fire, allowing savings of manpower and equipment."
The sprinklers help the town, as well, by saving water, insurance costs and additional funding for the fire department, he said.
Recently, the firefighters pushed for - and got - a county ordinance requiring underground water tanks in all new residential subdivisions.
"But it can still take time to get firefighters there and put water on the fire," Green said. "Sprinklers are like having a firefighter in your house every day, seven days a week."
The sprinkler system, a series of plastic pipes running through the house, is activated at temperatures between 135 and 165 degrees, well below the 1,000 degrees a fire can reach in minutes. The sprinkler sprays water directly on the fire and, in most cases, extinguishes it before firefighters arrive.
"Beyond the loss of life, there are things you have that can't be replaced, photos, family things," said State Fire Marshal William Barnard. "In most instances, one sprinkler can put out or contain the fire."
The state has requirements for sprinklers in multi-family buildings but not single-family homes, though Prince George's and Montgomery counties have the stricter requirement, Barnard said.
Faron Taylor, State Fire Marshal's Office public information officer, cited statistics from 2004 in Maryland: of the 87 people who died in house fires, 62 were in single-family homes. At night, when people are asleep, is the most dangerous time, he said.
Jones said the commissioners have given the proposed ordinance to the county attorney to look at and asked the firefighters to take it to the Council of Governments as well.
"I don't see any reason why it can't become policy," Jones said. "Let's get this ordinance in effect as soon as possible."
