Firefighters tested on Wednesday in a demonstration why it’s so important to have a sprinkler system in your home.
Firefighters first ignited a fire in the room without the sprinkler system in it. The fire grew quickly taking over the entire room. In 2 minutes and 23 seconds you could hear an explosion from the fire.
It was a very different scenario in the second room which has a sprinkler system. Once the first was ignited it took 49 seconds to activate the sprinkler system and the fire was contained.
“Three minutes or less that whole room was flashing over and that leaves no time for survivability and we know that sprinklers are the most effective and fastest way to get water in the fire," said David LaFond with the National Fire Sprinkler Association.
Fire officials said having smoke detectors in your house isn’t enough. If you have them, you have a 50 percent chance of getting out alive, but add a sprinkler system -- you’ll have an 80 percent chance of getting out alive.
