AN AMAZING STORY
by
RICHARD M. PATTON
Here are the facts and statistics of Fire Protection.
They tell a most astounding story.
FACT 1
In 1959 the American District Telegraph Company
produced data that showed that fire sprinkler systems
electrically supervised by the ADT Company
produced a 99.98% reliability of fire control.
FACT 2
An analysis of an 82 year record of fire sprinkler
systems in Australia showed that the Australian
sprinkler system produced a 99.76% reliability of fire
control.
FACT 3
This same Australian study showed that over the
entire 82 year statistical study period exactly 5 - only 5
- people died from fire in a sprinkler protected
building.
FACT 4
This same study showed that the average number of
sprinklers that opened in a light hazard occupancy
over this 82 year period was 1.3.
FACT 5
Today, in America, more than 100 years after the
invention of the automatic sprinkler system, when we
examine that property type where nearly all the
building fire deaths occur - the residential occupancy,
we find that more than 99% of these properties do not
contain a fire sprinkler system.
FACT 6
More than 80 years after the founding of the
National Fire Protection Association, the most
influential fire code making organization in the world,
we find that this organization has not yet produced a
sprinkler code that defines the installation of a
practical residential fire sprinkler system based on
using that amount of water that is already available in
average homes in America. This amount of water is
less than 20 gpm.
And so, we have a known and documented solution
to fire - 99% solution to fire. And we also have fire
codes in America so structured that nearly all the
properties that are most in need of that solution - where
human life is involved - are denied it.
Over the decades we've seen the high risk fires, the
hotel fires, the hospital fires, and the dwelling fires.
Today, in 1982, the NFPA Life Safety Code does not
JANUARY, 1986
require sprinklers in high rise buildings, in hotels, and
in hospitals; and the codes have caused nearly all such
buildings in America to be constructed sans
sprinklers.
Armed with rigged fire tests and false data, at the
Convention in San Diego, the NFPA discredited the
use of normal (off the shelf) sprinklers to "set up" the
sale of new and special sprinklers for residential
1
properties, which cover by NFPA-13D code- /2 the
area at approximately 5 times the price.
And by setting the required water to be more than
the amount of water available in most existing
residences, this NFPA code is essentially denying an
approved" sprinkler system to nearly all existing
homes in America.
If the medical profession had discovered and proven
out a cure to cancer years ago, - 99% effective cure -,
and then structured regulations controlling the use of
this cure to the result that nearly all those who needed
it could not obtain it; well, would this be any different
than what has occurred in the field of fire safety (or
unsafety).
The facts are true.
The obstructions were and are tenaceous.
The deaths and maiming are real.
Only one questions remains today. How long will
the needless slaughter continue until properly
constituted legal authorities, including the fire
services, demand an end to the rigged fire codes, and
a cessation of the carnage?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR AND HIS
COMPANY:
Richard Patton is President of Patton Fire
Suppression Systems, Inc. He is a Registered Fire
Protection Engineer (California) and a Licensed Fire
Protection Contractor (California).
Patton publishes "PATTON REPORT", a
publication dealing with fire protection engineering,
fire codes, and installation of automatic sprinkler
systems.
You may communicate with Patton by writing:
PFSS, INC., 5316 Roseville Road, Suite "P", North
Highlands, CA 95660 or, by calling: (916) 338-0943.
FIRE PROTECTION CONTRACTOR 5