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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 2005
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Contact: -or- Eileen Petridis |
OHIO FIRE SPRINKLER COALITION FORMED TO EDUCATE & DISPEL MYTHS “Built for Life” Event Offered Builders & Fire Officials
a Rare View of an |
| CLEVELAND - 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 for BlazeMaster® Fire Sprinkler Systems, 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). It was the BlazeMaster Fire Sprinkler Systems team which initiated the efforts to form the Ohio Fire Sprinkler Coalition in January 2005. This non-profit group is 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 the Ohio Fire Sprinkler Coalition, BlazeMaster CPVC representatives, under the direction of Matthew Kuwatch, marketing manager, 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 BlazeMaster Fire Sprinkler Systems and Homes by John Hershberger, other corporate sponsors of the Ohio-based “Built for Life” event included S.A. Comunale and Tyco Fire Products, a manufacturer of BlazeMaster pipe and fittings. 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@lubrizol.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. ### BlazeMaster is a registered trademark of Noveon IP Holdings Corp. in Cleveland. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Noveon is a leading producer and marketer of technologically advanced specialty chemicals for a broad range of consumer and industrial applications. In June 2004, Lubrizol acquired Noveon International, Inc. The Lubrizol Corporation (NYSE: LZ) is an innovative specialty chemical company that produces and supplies technologies that improve the quality and performance of our customers' products in the global transportation, industrial and consumer markets. These technologies include lubricant additives for engine oils, other transportation-related fluids and industrial lubricants, as well as fuel additives for gasoline and diesel fuel. In addition, Lubrizol makes ingredients and additives for personal care products and pharmaceuticals; specialty materials, including plastics technology; performance coatings in the form of specialty resins and additives; and additives for the food and beverage industry. Lubrizol’s industry-leading technologies in additives, ingredients and compounds enhance the quality, performance and value of customers’ products, while reducing their environmental impact.
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