The Original Scottsdale Report
Automatic Sprinklers; A 10-Year Study
A detailed history of the effects of the automatic sprinkler code in Scottsdale, Arizona
Download the Scottsdale Report in:
15-Year Data Now Available
In Scottsdale, Arizona, a sprinkler ordinance was implemented on January 1, 1986. Ten years after the ordinance was passed, the Rural/Metro Fire Department published the Scottsdale Report. The study has now been updated to include five additional years of data.
More than 50% of the homes in Scottsdale (41,408 homes) are protected with fire sprinkler systems.
Download a PowerPoint presentation with highlights of the 15 year data. 44.00 Kb
Lives Saved
in the 15 years there were 598 home fires. Of the 598 homefires, 49 were in single-family homes with fire sprinkler systems:
- There were no deaths in sprinklered homes.
- 13 people died in homes without sprinklers.
- The lives of 13 people who would have likely died without sprinklers, were saved
Download a PowerPoint presentation with details about fire fatalities and lives saved.
Less Fire Damage
There was less damage in the homes with sprinklers*:
- Average fire loss per sprinklered incident: $2,166.
- Average fire loss per unsprinklered incident: $45,019.
- Annual fire losses in Scottsdale (2000-2001) were $3,021,225 compared to the national average of $9,144,442.
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Reduced Water Damage
Only the sprinkler closest to the fire will activate, spraying water directly on the fire. Ninety percent of fires are contained by the operation of just one sprinkler.
According to the Scottsdale Report, there was less water damage in the homes with sprinklers:
- Sprinkler systems discharged an average of 341 gallons of water per fire.
- 2,935 gallons of water per fire were released by firefighter hoses.
Cost
Recent technology breakthroughs make sprinklers more affordable and easier to install in homes. On a national average, they add only $1.35 per fire sprinklered square foot.
- In Scottsdale, the average cost is less than $0.80 per square foot.
*Based on fires 1998-2001. 15-year data did not separate residential fire damage from all structures with fires.
