Assessment of the Potential Impact of Fire Protection Systems on Actual Fire Incidents

摘要

The study was conducted in the Washington-Maryland area to assess the potential impact of fire protection systems on the reduction of casualties and property damages in residential fires. The smoke detector, the remote alarm system, and the automatic suppression system were the three alternatives being considered. The basic data was obtained through on-site investigations by the Applied Physics Laboratory of 117 fires which took place between June 15, 1976 and April 30, 1978. The main body of the report presents a summary, a definition, and the results of the program with sample reports. Appendices contain a compilation of the evaluation sheets prepared for each particular case, and a collection of detailed case reports for each fire incident. Results of the report described a ninety percent reduction in both lives lost and injuries sustained, and a significant drop in property loss, with the installation of fire protection systems. The automatic suppression system proved somewhat more effective than remote alarm systems or fire detectors. Residents often showed a lack of understanding of the seriousness of the situation, indicative of a need to educate the public more thoroughly about the threat of fire.