Randolph High School Fire Sprinkler Save

To the Editor,

At around 4 a.m. on Sunday, October 6th a fire broke out on the stage of the Randolph High School’s Auditorium. The origin of the fire was deemed to be construction materials left over from a recent floor sanding of the stage that was being refinished. The school’s alarm system sounded and firefighters arrived within minutes to find that the school’s fire sprinkler system had successfully activated and extinguished the fire before it could spread.

Thankfully no one was hurt and after a few hours of clean-up, the school was deemed safe for students to return. It is not hard to imagine a scenario where flames might have spread quickly leading to serious damages to the school and forcing officials to shut it down during repairs. Fire sprinklers are the only proactive form of fire protection and have been saving lives and property in New Jersey schools and businesses for many years. Still, there are far too many New Jersey structures that are not afforded the same protection, including our own homes.

The New Jersey Assembly bill A1570 and Senate bill S2273, would make it mandatory for all newly constructed one- and two-family homes as well as condominiums and townhomes to be equipped with fire sprinklers.  Fire sprinklers can save the lives and homes of New Jersey residents as well as protect the brave men and women who risk their lives when structure fires occur.

I urge you to learn more about the lifesaving capabilities of fire sprinklers and to ask yourself how prepared would you be if a fire struck in your own home?

Best Regards,

David Kurasz, Executive Director

New Jersey Fire Sprinkler Advisory Board

2 King Arthur Ct., Suite 1