Promote the use of home fire sprinklers
The Need
In November 2009 the Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition was established to lobby:
- the use of home fire sprinklers as a method of reducing the risk to life and property
- for the inclusion of home sprinklers in future home designs
The purpose of the Coalition promoting domestic internal sprinklers is to save lives. There are however, other benefits from the installation of sprinklers in homes which can also be promoted to the public, such as:
- Reduction in water use
- Reduction of fire damage (structural and wildfire)
- Cost effectiveness
- Environmental benefits
- Reduction in the risk to firefighters
The Australian Standard AS 2118 Part 5 Domestic was published mid 2008, which allows combining a sprinkler system with domestic plumbing. At the time it was estimated the cost of installing a residential fire sprinkler system in a new home could be cut from around $5,000 to approximately $1,500, which made this a more viable option for the homeowners.
At the FPAA 2009 Conference several presentations were made on home fire sprinkler systems. The conference resolved to establish an Australian Home Sprinklers Coalition as a joint venture between Fire Protection Association Australia (FPAA), Institute of Fire Engineers (IFE) Australia and AFAC to commence promoting the take up of home sprinkler systems in Australia.
The AFAC Community Safety Group (CSG) is close to completing a draft AFAC position on home sprinklers, which will be used in the Coalition's activities.
Home fire sprinklers are currently being heavily promoted in the United States, Canada and New Zealand with whom this Coalition will liaise closely with.
Benefits and Strategic Alignment
AFAC involvement in the Coalition ensures the community's trust in fire services is utilised to promote the value of home fire sprinklers. This aligns with AFAC Strategic Goal 1: Leadership and Advocacy
Proposal
This project sets out to:
- Provide accurate information about sprinkler technology so consumers, home builders, and local authorities can make informed decisions
- Obtain funds to produce a kit which contains everything a fire department needs to establish sprinkler education at the local level
- Educate consumers, builders, fire services and any other relevant target group on the benefits of home sprinklers
- Lobby for the inclusion of home sprinklers in the Building Code of Australia (BCA)
- Lobby for insurance premium reductions for home owners with sprinkler systems
Consultation
The Coalition membership consists of the following members but will expand as necessary:
- Australasian Fire & Emergency Service Authorities Council (AFAC)
- Fire Protection Association Australia (FPAA)
- NSW Fire Brigades (NSWFB)
- TYCO Fire & Security
- Insurance Council Australia
- The Community Safety Group
- The Community Education Sub Group
- Built Environment Sub Group
Steering Group members will be made up of major representatives from the above organisations.
Governance
- As agreed by the participating agencies
- Project Managed by Rob Llewellyn and Corinne Taton
- Chaired by Jim Smith
For more information on this project please contact Rob Llewellyn, AFAC Manager Community Safety
