The purpose of this live burn video is twofold. By providing this unique side by side live fire demonstration you will not only gain an appreciation for the power and speed that a fire can possess you will also realize what an advantage it is to reside in a building where there is a fire sprinkler system installed.

We simulated a typical trash can fire in both rooms. The one major difference between these two rooms is that the room on the left has a smoke detector installed, which activated in 40 seconds, along with a sprinkler system. The room on the right has only a smoke detector installed, which activated in 37 seconds.  Watch the fire engulf this room in minutes, while the room with a sprinkler system installed sustains minor damage.

Smoke detectors are essential in every household. They are designed to detect smoke and fire and give the occupant early notification to respond to the warning and evacuate. It is up to each individual to respond quickly and evacuate. Once a smoke detector activates it has done its job, it is not designed to confine or extinguish a fire. A fire sprinkler on the other hand is meant to complement the smoke detector by providing a method to confine, control and/or extinguish the fire.

Smoke, cooking vapors or steam will not cause a sprinkler head to activate. High heat is what causes a sprinkler head to activate because of the temperature-sensitive element. This element is also shock sensitive so you never want to hang anything from a sprinkler head or sprinkler piping. This could and has caused a sprinkler head to operate allowing water to be released when there was no fire. The ensuing water damage could be significant.

• Normally a person's first instinct is to put water on a fire.....that is the worst move you could make on a grease fire.

• The adage "oil and water do not mix" is due to the specific gravity of water being heavier than oil. By putting water on a grease fire the water sinks to the bottom of the cooking container where it becomes instantly heated........the explosive force of this instant steam forces the flaming oil up and out of the container thereby creating a much larger fire.

• The single most important thing a person can do to prevent a grease fire is to never leave your cooking unattended.

• REMEMBER A FIRE CAN START WHEN YOUR ATTENTION STOPS!

Video courtesy of: Media Relations

The goal of this live burn of our mock dorm/bedroom was meant to impress upon the student population the immense power a fire possesses, the incredible speed at which a fire can travel and its enormous growth potential when combustibles are available.  In fact, once a fire reaches it incipient phase it will grow and begin to double in size approximately every 60 seconds. Speaking statistically residential dwellings are considered some of the most dangerous regarding fire fatalities.

As you watch this video listen for the sound of the smoke detector and the time it took to activate. If you live off-campus make certain your dwelling has a functioning smoke detector. After viewing this demonstration please take a moment to think about what you just witnessed. In 2 minutes an ordinary bedroom containing common consumer commodities was transformed into a fully involved room fire. We hope that you learn from this demonstration and make wise decisions. Review your exit strategy, know two escape routes out of a building should your primary path be compromised you can utilize your secondary path for evacuation.

Video courtesy of:Doug DeJulio and Jesha Chen