In "Sprinklers Made Simple," Ron Kan- terman indicates that "it's extremely difficult and dangerous to fight a fire when sprinklers are operating" and "it's recommended that you don't." However, in "Big Box Store Fire: Lessons Learned," Bill Gustin explains, "The sprinklers were kept flowing to reduce the chances that the fire ... would rapidly intensify" and that it made "visibility difficult" but "they [firefighters] were safer than if the sprinklers had been shut down."
I strongly urge your readers to follow Gustin's philosophy. There are numerous case studies where premature shutdown of an operating sprinkler system has led to an uncontrolled fire. Much effort and expense (by the building owner/occupant) go into ensuring a properly designed, installed, and maintained sprinkler system is in place. It is the firefighter's best ally on the fireground.
Ronnie J. GibsonVice President and Chief Engineer Factory Mutual Insurance Company Norwood, Massachusetts
If you are a current subscriber,login hereto access this content.
If you would like to become a subscriber, please visit ushere.
