Fire Protection Pioneer, Factory Mutual, Says Public Should be Confident About Sprinklers Despite a Federal Recall On One Sprinkler Type.

NORWOOD, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 15, 1998--The public should not lose faith in the value of fire sprinkler protection despite a recent product recall by the Consumer Product Safety Commission of one type of sprinkler, says Factory Mutual Research Corporation (FMRC), a nonprofit pioneer of fire protection research and an independent third party product testing laboratory.

"For over 100 years sprinklers have had an unparalled record of success for protecting life and property," says Joseph Hankins, an FMRC engineering specialist and a leading expert on fire protection. "This recall is attracting such attention because it is unprecedented, given the millions of sprinklers that have been manufactured and installed in that time."

According to Hankins, the recall involves only one type of sprinkler "of an unusual design" and in no way reflects on the reliability of other types of sprinklers. "One would be hard pressed to name anything that has performed so well in such a critical role, for so many years, as the automatic sprinkler," Hankins adds.

FMRC, with roots tracing back 160+ years, confirms these sprinkler advantages:

--Sprinklers are ready to respond 24 hours a day.

--Sprinklers know exactly where the fire is and concentrate the water directly in the fire area.

--Sprinklers control and often extinguish fires so that the firefighter's task becomes easier.

--One to five sprinklers control 75% of all fires large enough to report. (Many fires, where only one sprinkler operates and controls a fire, are not even reported.)

--Twenty-five or fewer sprinklers control 95% of all fires.

--Property loss costs average five times higher in unsprinklered buildings.

--Sprinklers do less water damage than fire hoses.

--The cost of installation is quite small compared to the cost of a fire.

--Sprinklers only operate over the fire and in the immediate area, despite myths that if one sprinkler discharges, they all will.

--Heat, smoke or toxic gases will not hinder sprinklers from controlling a blaze.

--Sprinklers systems send an alarm immediately when they operate.

For further information on sprinklers that have been tested and Approved by FMRC, consumers can visit the FM Web site at www.factorymutual.com.

The Factory Mutual Research Corporation is an internationally recognized, nonprofit organization within Factory Mutual -- the world leader in property loss control engineering, research and training. Businesses, organizations and governments around the world use its services. FMRC research results set new standards that advance loss prevention practices and develop new products. Additionally, manufacturers use FMRC's independent third-party testing laboratory services to obtain independent Approval certifying the reliability of their products and services. Three major industrial and commercial property insurance companies -- Allendale Insurance, Arkwright and Protection Mutual Insurance -- own or direct the Factory Mutual organizations.