On Thursday, Oct. 27, the University will host a side-by-side fire sprinkler burn demonstration put on by the National Fire Sprinkler Association in partnership with the Indiana Department of Homeland Security.
The live demonstration is organized to promote on- and off-campus fire safety. The demonstration will feature two identically furnished rooms, one equipped with fire sprinklers, one without, that will be set on fire to tangibly show the difference fire sprinklers make in student housing fires.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, every year U.S. fire departments respond to thousands of structure fires in college residence halls and related properties. Cooking equipment was involved in nearly nine out of 10 reported fires in residence hall-type properties. In the aftermath of the tragic residence hall fire at Seton Hall University in 2000, Notre Dame invested millions of dollars to enhance and add to sprinkler systems on campus, including sprinklers in every residence hall room.
“In all that we do at Notre Dame, safety is our top priority. That’s especially true for the Notre Dame Fire Department and our colleagues in Campus Safety,” said Notre Dame Fire Chief Bruce Harrison. “The NDFD has excellent partnerships with our counterparts in the region and state, and we are happy to serve as a site for this important demonstration of the importance of sprinklers in college and university residence hall rooms.”
The Notre Dame campus community is invited to watch the live side-by-side burn demonstration that showcases the benefits of fire sprinkler systems. The demonstration will take place from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 27, on the south end of White Field, near the intersection of Gold Drive and Campus Services Access Drive.