Midwest Automatic Fire Sprinkler

Fires stress importance of sprinkler systems

October 25, 2005
Two unrelated fires that took place in Campustown apartments Sunday could have been much worse had it not been for sprinkler systems, which are not present in many apartment buildings and dormitories in Ames.
The fires at Cyclone Plaza, 200 Stanton Ave., and Legacy Tower, 119 Stanton Ave., resulted in no injuries, but several thousand dollars in damage.

Fire Chief Clint Petersen said the fire at Cyclone Plaza began at approximately 6:30 p.m. Sunday in a seventh-floor kitchen while residents were cooking. The fire at Legacy Tower was started shortly before 1 a.m. Sunday when improperly disposed of smoking materials on a sixth-floor balcony started a chair on fire.

“Two hundred Stanton was typical of an apartment fire that had a significant fuel source around the kitchen area,” Petersen said, adding the fire could have caused more damage and injuries had it not been put out within minutes by a sprinkler system.

“Both fires this weekend highlight the importance of a sprinklered apartment building,” Petersen said.

Approximately $10,000 in damage was done at Cyclone Plaza and $5,000 at Legacy Tower. Damage at both buildings was largely confined to the apartments where the fires originated, although water from the sprinkler system at Legacy Tower leaked into four adjoining rooms, Petersen said.

Still, Petersen said sprinklers require approximately 10 percent as much water use as responding firefighters would use, and are able to put fires out more quickly with less damage.

As of 2003, sprinklers are mandated by the International Fire Code for new construction with three or more units, said Fire Inspector Tom Henriksen.

John Dix, realtor for Gateway Real Estate, said most Ev Cochrane buildings, including Cyclone Plaza, which opened in 2003, and Legacy Tower, which opened in 2004, have sprinkler systems.
Older buildings in Ames may lack an internal sprinkler system, however, Petersen said, and no list is currently available of which buildings do or do not have them.

On campus, Willow, Larch, Wallace-Wilson, Oak-Elm, Barton-Lyon-Freeman and Friley halls do not have sprinkler systems, said Dave Bunker, safety coordinator for facilities management.

“It’s a very expensive proposition to sprinkle buildings,” he said.
He said, for example, putting sprinklers in Friley Hall would cost approximately $1 million.

Bunker said other fire safety measures, such as smoke and fire detectors, are in place in residence halls that lack sprinkler systems.
Henriksen said sprinklers are very effective, adding that “a high percentage of the fires are controlled by one or two heads,” meaning they are dealt with quickly before they spread.

According to an August 2005 report by the National Fire Protection Association, in fires where sprinklers are present, chances of deaths are reduced by one-half to three-fourths and average property loss is reduced by one-half to two-thirds compared to fires in structures without sprinklers.

“Sprinklers are considered to be one of the most important parts of life safety, but they are far from the only part,” according to the report. “Adherence to code provisions … of occupants, control of heat sources, flammability of furnishings, and availability and capacity of exits are essential.”

Bunker said there are plans for sprinklers in Friley Hall; a timeline has not been set.

Eric Lund, Author

To protect the historic complex of buildings surrounding the Christmas tree Rockefeller Center incorporates the installation of a fire sprinkler system, installed within the tree, specifically designed to protect the tree structure. The tree system is tied directly into the building’s or plaza’s fire sprinkler system via a riser.

Unique vintage sprinkler head.

IN THE NEWS...

Iowa City Fire Department credits sprinkler system for extinguishing residential fire
September 30, 2025 Tommy Lang Local News KCJJ

City of Iowa City news release

At approximately 1:20 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025, the Iowa City Fire Department responded to a report of a fire at 1901 Broadway St. Engine 3 arrived on scene and discovered that a single fire sprinkler had successfully extinguished a bathroom fire before it could spread.

The building was occupied at the time of the incident. Thanks to the sprinkler system’s quick activation, no injuries were reported, and fire damage was limited to the immediate area of origin. The sprinkler system’s performance prevented what could have been a much more serious fire event, protecting both life safety and property.

“This incident clearly demonstrates the value of fire sprinkler systems,” said Axel Swanson, Iowa City Fire Marshal. “Automatic sprinklers respond within moments of a fire starting, often controlling or extinguishing flames before firefighters arrive. They save lives, reduce property loss, and keep our community safe.”

The Iowa City Fire Department reminds residents and property owners that fire sprinkler systems are one of the most effective tools available for preventing fire tragedies.

For more information about fire prevention and safety resources, please contact the Iowa City Fire Department at 319-356-5260 or visit www.NFPA.org.

We are honored to be a 2024 Acuity Insurance Safety Award recipient. This award is given to businesses that are exemplary in their partnership with Acuity Insurance to help ensure a safe workplace. We take safety seriously and are proud to be an award recipient.

On Wednesday, Aug. 20, the Nevada Fire Department, the National Fire Sprinkler Association (NFSA), Main Street Nevada, and Rotary Club of Nevada are joining forces to present a Downtown Sprinkler Awareness Event, which will feature a free hotdog lunch, educational materials, and a live outdoors fire sprinkler demonstration at the intersection of 6th Street and K Avenue.

“In light of the recent July 14 fatal downtown fire in Albia, Iowa, and our local efforts to increase awareness about the benefits of putting fire sprinkler systems into our historic downtown buildings, we thought this educational event would be timely and enlightening,” said Nevada Fire Chief Ray Reynolds.

Main Street Nevada joins the effort because it has been involved in several grant awards in the downtown to renovate the upper levels of historic buildings into living spaces.

The Downtown Sprinkler Awareness Event will be held in close proximity to two buildings – the old Tipton building and the Camelot Theater – that now have full fire sprinkler protection for the occupants of recently renovated second-story apartments.

“We want to help bring awareness to how we’re providing ‘safe living’ on our second floors,” said Main Street Director Emily Schaack.

While sprinkler systems in these historic buildings don’t fully prevent property destruction, they do offer protection and time for occupants to exit a burning building, and they substantially slow down the fire helping to lower the amount of property loss.

“History is not preserved unless it’s protected,” Reynolds said. With the close proximity of buildings in a downtown area, sprinkling buildings and slowing down the burn, could also slow down and/or prevent the spread of fire from one structure to the next, thereby preserving more of the community’s historic buildings.

The Downtown Sprinkler Awareness Event will begin with the Rotary Club of Nevada and Nevada Fire Department members handing out free lunch to those who attend. At approximately 12:30, the fire sprinkler demonstration – which happens in side-by-side trailers with a full burn on one side and a sprinkled burn on the other – will begin. The demonstration trailers are provided through the NFSA, and members of the Nevada Fire Department will take part in putting out the fires.

Stopping fires in their tracks!

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the presence of sprinkler systems cuts the risk of dying in a fire by a staggering 90% (2024).

Are you in compliance?

Your fire sprinkler system is required to be inspected and maintained according to specific guidelines to ensure it's working properly in an emergency situation.

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11/04/2024
Sprinklers stop fire in Des Moines high-rise

DES MOINES, Iowa —
The Des Moines Fire Department says a sprinkler was key to containing a fire in a high-rise building.

The DMFD released photos of the damage on its page. The department says the sprinkler system helped contain the fire until firefighters arrived and the fire was limited to one unit.

Source: KCCI

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