Fire Sprinklers Keep Fire In Check

At approximately 8:35 p.m. on Thursday, June 9 MCFRS units were dispatched for an initial report of an auto fire that was changed to a dumpster fire and, finally, was upgraded to a dumpster fire next to the building as units arrived on the scene of 15780 Shady Grove Road. Units from Fire Station #32 arrived on scene and found fire showing from a dumpster attached to the building.

Firefighters from PE732 extinguished the dumpster/compactor fire while other units deployed to the interior of the building to check for extension. Crews gained entry into rear of the store to find an interior fire that was being controlled by the activation of four fire sprinkler heads. There was considerable smoke conditions throughout the building as well.

Three truck companies remained on scene for a total of two hours to assist with smoke removal from the impacted stores. There were approximately 50 firefighters were on scene.

All occupants of the store safely evacuated along with neighboring businesses. There were no injuries and initial damages were estimated to be $5,000. This total is expected to increase after appraisal of inventory and length of store closing. Fire Sprinklers save lives and property.

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.

Residential Sprinklers Save Lives and Property

By: Battalion Chief Mark Davis

       Battalion One, A-Shift

The presence of automatic fire sprinklers in residential occupancies makes a huge impact on life safety and property conservation. While the 1st Battalion has many unsprinklered residential high rise buildings - it also has a number of newer residential structures outfitted with residential sprinklers.

On Monday, July 1^st crews (Co 15, 24, 12, & 16) from the 1st Battalion responded to one of those sprinklered structures for a reported apartment fire. When they arrived on the scene they found a 5-story apartment building that is part of a huge, assisted living complex.  Upon investigation on the third floor, they found a small fire in a study area of one apartment. The fire had been extinguished by ONE residential sprinkler head. No one was home at the time of the fire, so had the apartment not been sprinklered, the fire would have grown quickly in size and would have resulted in a major fire.

The photos below show the limited damage that was done. 

This single, residential sprinkler head (below) flowing just a few gallons a minute did the job of several FD hose lines flowing over 150 gallons per minute each. Why was it so efficient and effective? Because the sprinkler head is a fast-acting head that senses the early development of a fire which allows water to be applied at a much lower rate yet still be effective in controlling or extinguishing the fire. More importantly, it allows the occupants to escape the area before a raging fire can develop. 

When evaluating where to reside - chose the place that provides the better life safety features - choose residential fire sprinklers!

Automatic Fire Sprinklers Save Again!

Rockville, MD July 11, 2009 - Early this morning at approximately 1:30 AM, units from Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service were dispatched for a fire in the Shoppers Food Warehouse at 18140 Village Center Drive.

Workers in the store reported seeing and smelling smoke and upon discovering the fire, they promptly exited the building to safety. The automatic fire sprinkler system operated to control the fire and Montgomery County Fire & Rescue units completed the extinguishment.

Chief Fire Marshal Mike Love noted, “This is the second time in less than a week where we have seen evidence showing the value of automatic fire sprinklers in their value to save lives and property. No home or business should be without automatic fire sprinklers.”

Fire Investigators determined that the fire started in a fluorescent light ballast attached to the refrigeration unit (see photo). The store is allowed to reopen although approximately half of it will be closed for a short time. Total damage estimates are still pending.

Fire Sprinklers Avert Tragedy At Nursing Home

Rockville, MD, July 8, 2009 - Yesterday morning at approximately 2:30 AM, units from Burtonsville Fire Station 15 were dispatched for an automatic fire alarm at the Arden Court Nursing Home (2500 Block of Musgrove Road). Engine 715 arrived on scene and reported heavy smoke conditions in the building and located an extinguished fire in a resident’s room.

A single automatic fire sprinkler operated to extinguish the fire. The elderly resident was removed from the room by the time the Fire Department arrived and he was transported to the hospital as a precaution for possible smoke inhalation. A picture of his room is on the right.

“There is no doubt in my mind that the action of the automatic sprinkler system averted a major a tragedy this morning,” stated Division Chief Mike Love, Chief Fire Marshal for Montgomery County.

The fire originated at a wire connection within a wall mounted A/C, heat pump unit and extended up the wall and burned a portion of the blinds at the window before the sprinkler activated. The Origin/Cause has been determined as Accidental – Electrical and damage is estimated at $5,000 Structure and $1,000 Contents.

Chief Love also said, “If this had been a non-sprinkled building, damage estimates could have easily been ten times what they were. The fact of the matter is fire sprinklers save lives and reduce property loss.”

County residents, who want to learn about residential fire sprinklers for their own home and how they can reduce their property tax bill by 50%, can go here for more information: Automatic Fire Sprinklers