P.O. Box 237 Uniontown, OH 44685-0237 Phone: 216-447-6331 Website: ohiofsc.org

NEWS

JUNE 2005

Ohio Fire Sprinkler Coallition Formed to Educate & Dispel Myths

“Built for Life” Event Offered Builders & Fire Officials a Rare View of an Installed Residential Fire Sprinkler System

Despite the fact that the number of fire-related deaths has been steadily decreasing in this country over the past ten years, the U.S. still leads most of the industrial world in its mortality rate with regard to residential fires (according to recent statistics released from FEMA).

It was disturbing statistics like these that led the Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition (HFSC) to apply for (and receive) a $600,000 Fire Safety Act Grant less than two years ago to develop and implement the “Built for Life” pilot program. This educational program works to bring together builders, fire service professionals and sprinkler contractors to jointly promote the benefits and dispel the myths of residential fire sprinkler systems.

As part of the original grant, ten markets were selected by HFSC to participate in the program. The markets (Atlanta, Orlando, Phoenix/Mesa, San Diego, Dallas, Las Vegas, Chicago, Portland/Vancouver, Baltimore and Hartford, CT) were selected based on housing starts and the availability of fire service and sprinkler contractors.

Representatives from the Ohio Fire Safety Coalition (OFSC), however, felt there was also a need for such a program in Ohio, where only one town in the entire state currently mandates the installation of residential fire sprinkler systems (and then only for residences in excess of 5,000 square feet). OFSC is a non-profit group that dedicated to educating local builders, homeowners and fire officials on the benefits of residential fire sprinkler systems, as well as dispelling the common myths which, to date, have limited homeowner interest in installing such systems.

As a result of their active involvement in home fire sprinkler education efforts the Ohio Fire Sprinkler Coalition, under the direction of Matthew Kuwatch - Executive Director of OFSC, were in an ideal position to lobby the HFSC to allow Northeast Ohio to participate in the “Built for Life” pilot program.

Ohio’s “Built for Life” premier event was hosted on May 5 and attracted more than 40 members of the local building community, along with area fire chiefs. The event provided builders the rare opportunity to actually see a residential fire sprinkler system installed and view a video that demonstrated how effectively the system extinguishes fires and helps save lives.

“We were very pleased with the strong turnout for this premier event,” said Kuwatch. “It shows that the local building community is supportive of the concept of promoting proven life safety features in the new homes being built here.”

John Hershberger, president of Homes by John Hershberger, was the builder selected to host the event. A BlazeMaster® CPVC fire sprinkler system was installed in one of Hershberger’s model homes in North Canton. The home will also be showcased (along with a focus on the sprinkler system) at the upcoming Stark County Parade of Homes.

In addition to OFSC and HFSC “Built for Life” event programming, corporate sponsorships of included S.A. Comunale Inc., Tyco Fire Products, and Noveon - BlazeMaster® Fire Sprinkler Systems.

The “Built for Life” event is only one of a number of events already underway through the Ohio Fire Sprinkler Coalition, despite the fact that the chapter was only recently formed. A golf outing is also scheduled in August to help raise funds for the Akron Children’s Hospital Burn Center, the Akron Children’s Hospital Burn Camp, and fire safety educational programs. A portion of the proceeds will also go to benefit Akron Children’s Hospital Cancer Center.

If you are interested in starting a chapter in your area, contact Matthew Kuwatch at matthew.kuwatch@noveon.com. For more information about the HFSC “Built for Life” pilot program or the ongoing work being done by the Ohio Fire Sprinkler Coalition, visit www.ohiofsc.org.

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