National Residential Sprinkler Initiative

The United States Fire Administration advocates the use of automatic fire sprinklers to save lives, reduce injuries and protect property. Based on an identified history of success, this technology should be employed in all residential occupancies.

Since it's creation in the 1970's, the United States Fire Administration has been actively involved in the research and development of residential sprinkler systems and an advocate for their use. Yet more than 3,000 people lose their lives in residential fires every year.

To revitalize the USFA residential sprinkler program Administrator R. David Paulison hosted a National Residential Sprinkler Strategy meeting in April 2003 for a cross section of fire protection professionals from throughout the country to consult on the development of a national strategy with shared responsibility for implementation of the proposed initiatives. A second meeting was held in June 2004 to share thoughts and review the progress of the collective group of participants and their organizations toward increasing the proportion of U.S. homes protected by residential sprinkler systems.

The goal is to develop and implement policies that have an immediate National impact and to identify and strive to remove barriers inhibiting the acceptance and use of residential fire sprinklers to reduce life loss and injuries.

The proposed national strategies include:

Advocacy for sprinkler systems in occupancies the Federal government influences
Promotion of localized fire suppression in high fire-risk areas for retrofit applications.
Development of partnerships for advocacy and informational support
Support for continuing research and development

For more information on this initiative, please download the reports below.

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First Meeting of the National Residential Fire Sprinkler Initiative (PDF, 345 Kb)
First Meeting of the National Residential Fire Sprinkler Initiative (Text, 52 Kb)

Second Meeting of the National Residential Fire Sprinkler Initiative (PDF, 105 Kb)
Second Meeting of the National Residential Fire Sprinkler Initiative (Text, 29 Kb)

Third Meeting of the National Residential Fire Sprinkler Initiative (PDF, 63 Kb)

To be a part of this initiative, please contact the USFA.