WECT TV6-WECT.com:News, weather & sports Wilmington, NC Fire sprinklers can save homes from excess damage

Fire sprinklers can save homes from excess damage

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WECT) – A townhome fire on Carlton Drive Tuesday afternoon caused at least $200,000 in structural damage, but that amount could have been lowered if sprinklers had been installed.

Assistant Wilmington Fire Chief Frank Blackley said the fact the residence was a townhome makes a major difference for the rules regarding residential sprinklers.  Apartment complexes are required to have sprinkler systems, but other residences like houses or townhomes do not need them.

According to Blackley the townhouse fire and a similar one in an apartment complex are a good example of the importance of sprinklers.  A sprinkler system in an apartment fire Tuesday kept damages to $1,500, while the fire on Carlton Drive totaled at least $200,000.

The assistant fire chief said there's a new regulation that requires any residence with more than two families to have a sprinkler system, but this already-built townhome was too old to require it.

Some critics say it's too expensive to add a sprinkler system to a home, while other builders say they don't want to deal with another mandate.  However, supporters say even though sprinklers aren't designed to put out a fire, they often do.

A sprinkler system could cost a few thousand dollars.  Some estimates say a sprinkler system could cost about $2 per every square foot.

It may seem expensive, but supporters say it could make the difference between losing your entire house and belongings or just dealing with some damage.

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