Ceiling mounted fire sprinkler head location. A new fire sprinkler was installed and the system returned to service.
By Rich Gardiner, Harford Co. Vol. Fire & EMS Assoc.
January 29, 2008
Just before 2:00am on Tuesday January 29th, members of the Citizens Volunteer Fire Company were awakened by a report of an automatic fire alarm at their firehouse on Main Street in Fawn Borough. Volunteers arrived to find smoke inside the building and a fire that had been extinguished by their fire sprinkler system. Had it not been for a single fire sprinkler head, the results could have been disastrous for the communities of southern York and northern Harford County.
The fire originated in a mechanical room where the organization's computer, phone, and electrical equipment are stored. Damage caused by the fire was limited to $20,000-$25,000. Representatives from the Citizens Volunteer Fire Company estimate that to replace the building and equipment inside would cost close to $8 million. This amount does not factor in the additional cost to the surrounding fire companies and the population who live and work in York and Harford Counties and rely on emergency services from this organization.
The firehouse, which was built in 1996 at a cost of approximately $870,000.00, was not required by the building code to have a fire sprinkler system installed. The fire company and other fire service professionals decided that installing a fire sprinkler system would be a smart thing to do. Their decision proved to be the right one.
Does your home have a fire sprinkler system installed?
For additional information contact: Rich Gardiner, Spokesperson Harford County Vol Fire and EMS Association @ 410-977-0875 or email at rhgardiner@harfordpublicsafety.org
