Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Environmental Impact of Automatic Fire Sprinklers: Part 2. Experimental Study

  • Published:
Fire Technology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A recent study on the environmental impact of automatic fire sprinklers is documented in a two part series. The present paper examines the relationship of automatic fire sprinkler technology to environmental sustainability. Large-scale fire tests were conducted using identically constructed and furnished living rooms. In one test, fire extinguishment was achieved solely by fire service intervention, and in the other, a single residential automatic fire sprinkler was used to control the fire until final extinguishment was achieved by the fire service. Comparisons of the total greenhouse gas production, quantity of water required to extinguish the fire, quality of water runoff, potential impact of wastewater runoff on groundwater and surface water, and mass of materials requiring disposal between the two tests were made. The results show that in addition to providing life safety and limiting property damage, the use of automatic fire sprinklers is a key factor in achieving sustainability.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Figure 1
Figure 2

Similar content being viewed by others

Notes

  1. The following results and discussion related to the wastewater analysis are based on results and discussions presented in Ref. [9].

  2. Evaluating the impact associated with alternative disposal such as recycling or energy recovery is beyond the scope of this project.

References

  1. Gritzo LA, Doerr W, Bill R, Ali H, Nong S, Krasner L (2009) The influence of risk factors on sustainable development. FM Global, Johnston, RI. http://www.fmglobal.com//researchreports

  2. Wieczorek CJ, Ditch B, Bill RG (2010) Environmental impact of automatic fire sprinklers. FM Global, Johnston, RI. http://www.fmglobal.com/researchreports

  3. Gritzo LA, Bill RG Jr, Wieczorek CJ, Ditch D (submitted) Environmental impact of automatic fire sprinklers: part 1-residential sprinklers revisited in the age of sustainability. Fire Technol. doi:10.1007/s10694-010-0191-8

  4. NFPA , Standard for the Organization and Deployment of Fire Suppression Operations, Emergency Medical Operations, and Special Operations to the Public by Career Fire Departments, 2010 Edition, National Fire Protection Association, Quincy, MA.

    Google Scholar 

  5. NFPA 1720, Standard for the Organization and Deployment of Fire Suppression Operations, Emergency Medical Operations, and Special Operations to the Public by Volunteer Fire Departments,” 2010 Edition, National Fire Protection Association, Quincy, MA.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Brady/Prentice Hall Health. Essentials of Fire Fighting and Fire Department Operations. 5th edition. Oklahoma State University: Fire Protection Publications, 2008.

    Google Scholar 

  7. FM Global Property Loss Prevention Data Sheet 2–5 (2009) Installation guidelines for automatic sprinklers in residential occupancies. FM Global, Johnston, RI

  8. Powell JH (2009) Test burn emissions testing. Air Pollution Characterization and Control, LTD., Technical Report, December 2009

  9. Air and Water Quality Impacts of Residential Fires from Controlled Burns (2010) Woodard and Curran technical report prepared for FM Global, 222415, March 2010

  10. ISO/CD 13943 (1996) Glossary of fire terms and definitions. International Standards Organization, Geneva, Switzerland

  11. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), Climate Change 2001: The Scientific Basis. Contribution of Working Group I to the Third Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Cambridge University Press, United Kingdom and New York, NY, USA, 2001.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Norman J, MacLean HL, Kennedy CA (2006) Comparing high and low residential density: life-cycle analysis of energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. J Urban Plan Dev 132(1)

  13. Micales, J. A., and Skog, K. E., “The Decomposition of Forest Products in Landfills,” International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation, Vol. 39, No. 2-3, 1997, pg. 145-158.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Environmental Protection Agency (2003) Background document for life-cycle greenhouse gas emission factors for carpet and personal computers. EPA530-R-03-018, November 21, 2003

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. FM Global, 1151 Boston-Providence Turnpike, Norwood, MA, 02062, USA

    Christopher J. Wieczorek, Benjamin Ditch & Robert G. Bill Jr.

Authors
  1. Christopher J. Wieczorek
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Benjamin Ditch
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Robert G. Bill Jr.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Christopher J. Wieczorek.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Wieczorek, C.J., Ditch, B. & Bill, R.G. Environmental Impact of Automatic Fire Sprinklers: Part 2. Experimental Study. Fire Technol 47, 765–779 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10694-010-0192-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10694-010-0192-7

Keywords

Search

Navigation