When discussing advantages of implementing residential sprinkler ordinances across the United States, the primary focus is on enhancing civilian life safety, followed by reducing property damage. However, an equally important aspect seldom highlighted is the positive impact these systems have on improving firefighter safety.
The fire service is considered a paramilitary organization because it operates in a similar way to the military. This means it has a structured chain of command, where everyone has a specific role and follows orders from their superiors. Fire fighters wear uniforms, use ranks like officers and chiefs, and work as a team to respond quickly and efficiently to emergencies, just like soldiers do in the military.
However, there are significant differences between fire service paramilitary and a warfighting military organization. One major difference between the two organizations is found in the use of the term “acceptable casualties.”
"Acceptable casualties" is a term used to describe the number of injuries or deaths that are considered tolerable or permissible in a particular situation, often in the context of military warfighting operations. It reflects a judgment that the potential benefits or objectives of the operation outweigh the expected harm to people involved. This concept is controversial and sensitive, as it involves evaluating human life and safety in the context of achieving specific goals.
In fire service operations, including emergency response and other high-risk rescue activities, the concept of acceptable casualties does not apply; every effort is made to ensure that no injuries or deaths occur. The goal is zero firefighter fatalities via effective risk management.
The consensus standard published by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1500, Standard on Fire Department Occupational Safety, Health, and Wellness Program, 2021 Ed. states:
So, what are major risks to firefighter health and safety today?
According to the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), fire fighter occupational cancer is the leading cause of line-of-duty death in the fire service.
While many factors contribute to this problem, here are just a few on top of the list:
One highly effective remedy to limit fire fighter exposure to toxic products of combustion at accidental structure fires is a working fire sprinkler system.
According to NFPA, …sprinklers have proven to be reliable in reported structure fires considered large enough to activate them. From 2017 to 2021, sprinklers operated in 92 percent of such fires and were effective at controlling the fire in 97 percent of the incidents...
In simple terms, fire sprinkler systems can significantly minimize firefighters' exposure to toxic combustion products, thereby reducing injuries and fatalities by controlling or extinguishing fires at an early stage.
For more than 40 years, BlazeMaster® pipe and fittings have saved lives and property. It has specifically protected the lives of fire fighters by making it safer for them to enter units during responses. The number of lives saved, and injuries or property damage prevented, far outweigh any perceived negatives. For example, fire fighters can be concerned about the flammability of CPVC itself.
In point of fact, BlazeMaster CPVC is extremely resistant to ignition. It has a flash ignition temperature of 900°F (482°C). That is the lowest temperature at which sufficient combustible gases evolve and can be ignited by small internal flame. Wood ignites at 500°F (260°C) or lower. That means that BlazeMaster CPVC cannot be the ignition source of a fire.
Tests conducted using the New York State modified University of Pittsburgh test protocol for determining the toxicity of combustion products concluded that BlazeMaster CPVC pipe and fittings are “no more toxic than wood, and less toxic than common materials such as wood or cotton.”
When BlazeMaster CPVC is exposed to flash ignition temperatures, it chars or intumesces and does not drip or spread afire. In fact, the char layer acts as thermal barrier to restrict the flow of heat into the pipe wall, reducing the rate of burning, allowing more time for occupants to evacuate and first responders to arrive. Tests have also shown that it does not contribute to flash over. In other words, it does not create a sudden explosive development of flame.
Performance testing by the National Research Council Canada (NRC) examined the performance of protected ceiling/floor assemblies and impact tenability with a basement fire scenario. To quote from Page 6 of the test report’s executive summary: “In the experiments that employed residential sprinkler-protected assemblies, the structural integrity of the test assemblies was protected, there was no structural failure or damage… and the fire was effectively suppressed. The residential sprinkler systems also maintained the conditions tenable in the house during the experiments.” In other words – no projected fatalities or injuries and no smoke obscuration.
BlazeMaster CPVC has more than proven itself since it was introduced in 1984 specifically for the fire sprinkler industry.
In a highly regulated industry, BlazeMaster CPVC meets all industry requirements, including NFPA 13 standards across the board as well as the UL 1821 fire test. It also surpasses burst and pressure test requirements. No other brand of CPVC pipe and fitting has been tested to the levels of BlazeMaster CPVC.
In terms of reliability, BlazeMaster CPVC has earned its reputation for reliability in part by its participation in the FBCTM System Compatible Program designed by Lubrizol Advanced Materials. Voluntary third-party testing for ancillary products helps installers and building owners use only compatible products when working with BlazeMaster CPVC. Incompatible products are also listed. Properly applied, the FBC System Compatible Program helps ensure that a BlazeMaster CPVC fire protection system’s integrity and reliability.
BlazeMaster CPVC also installs faster than steel pipe. CPVC weighs less than steel, is flexible and is quickly joined together using a quick one-step solvent cement process. That means that a building can be sprinkler-protected faster using CPVC pipe and fittings as compared to the time it takes to install heavy, cumbersome steel pipe-based sprinkler systems. Steel pipe requires torches for installation – potential sources or sparks and flames.
Additionally, BlazeMaster CPVC set the stage to provide fire protection to millions through lower material costs for residential and light hazard applications as compared to steel. By making a critical life safety system affordable to millions of homeowners, sprinkler system, more residences than ever before are protected with fire sprinkler systems. These reasonably-priced fire suppression systems are significant factors in keeping firefighters out of harm’s way when responding to an emergency.
BlazeMaster CPVC has fully supported organizations such as the National Fire Sprinkler Association (NFSA), the National Association of State Fire Marshalls (NASFM) and fire services throughout North America. BlazeMaster CPVC-branded systems are recognized by these industry leaders as a highly trusted non-metallic alternative.
Those of us at BlazeMaster CPVC are proud of our track record. We look forward to continuing to protect people and property – including the firefighters who help save lives on a daily basis – for decades to come.
If you ever have a question about BlazeMaster CPVC regarding performance or safety, do not hesitate to contact us.