this strategy (interior sprinklers to fight exterior fires)
was proposed by myself and a few others as a mitigation
against wildland fires to the San Diego
city council in the aftermath of the wildland fires there about
5 years ago. Automatic sprinklers work better than
most people realize, not just against exterior fires, but
also when fires burn within walls--
which has great implications for saving significant portions
of historic structures despite not having code complying
firestopped walls. This is not to say, balloon construction
can be adequately protected with ceiling sprinklers, but,
that much more of the historic structure can be saved--
than might be imagined.
the effectiveness of automatic sprinklers in preserving
cabins and houses at the wildland-urban interface
has not begun to be tapped (in large part due to the
Builders' Organizations lobbying against it to keep builders
making money with renovations). Residential sprinklers
are far and away a more efficient use of water and firefighter
deployment than the traditional wagon with a 2-3 person crew,
Indian can and dumpster hose. sprinklers are usually on duty 24/7.
the full externalized cost savings of sprinklers have not been
figured into wildland firefighting.
scot deal
excelsior fire engineering
On 1/28/08, Ken Miller <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> Although the cause of the fire is still under investigation, I am happy to
> report that sprinklers did work. Several hotel rooms (unknown exact number)
> had sprinkler activation as the EXTERIOR fire broke the windows and started
> to work it's way inside. The sprinklers in these affected rooms did keep
> the fire in check and only the furnishing along the exterior wall suffered
> fire damage.
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