The Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition has partnered with FM Global, one of the world’s largest commercial property insurers, on an unprecedented research project to identify, analyze and evaluate the environmental impact caused by home fires—a topic of increasing international importance. FM Global conducted full-scale fire tests in 2009 to compare the environmental impact of sprinkler and non-sprinkler home fires. The tests showed that in the event of a home fire:
- Greenhouse gas emissions were cut by 97.8%.
- Water usage was reduced between 50% and 91%.
- Fewer persistent pollutants, such as heavy metals, were found in sprinkler wastewater versus fire hose water.
- The high pH level and pollutant load of non-sprinkler wastewater are an environmental concern.