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Barriers and Incentives Related to the Installation of Home Fire Sprinklers
Track(s): Green (1 GBCI CE hour), Research

Kathleen Almand and Jonathan Hart, Fire Protection Research Foundation;
Maria Figueroa, NFPA

Audio Sample:




Find out about the results of two Fire Protection Research Foundation projects related to community-based barriers and incentives for the installation of home fire sprinklers. The objective of the first study was to identify, characterize, and estimate the approximate value of sprinkler system incentives that are in place in various communities in the United States. A wide variety of incentives, such as builder credits, reduced property taxes, and the ability to use narrower roads, were identified in 16 communities and a financial value assigned to them. The second study looked at a specific issue that has been a barrier to the installation of home fire sprinklers — the concerns from water utilities regarding water usage during a fire and associated performance of water meters. Water usage estimates in home fires were collected from selected fire departments and laboratory testing was conducted on water meter performance.

Kathleen Almand is the Executive Director of the Fire Protection Research Foundation, an affiliate of the National Fire Protection Association. She holds a master's degree in civil engineering from the University of Ottawa, Canada and is a registered professional engineer in the State of Maryland and a Fellow of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers. Prior to joining FPRF in 2004, Kathleen was the Executive Director of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers and held research and management positions with the Civil Engineering Research Foundation, the American Iron and Steel Institute, and the National Academy of Sciences.

Jonathan Hart is a senior at WPI's Fire Protection Engineering Program. He has served as both NFPA and the Foundation's summer intern and is currently the President of the WPI student chapter of SFPE.