Following a well received kickoff at the International Home Builders’ Show (IBS) in Orlando in January, the Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition’s (HFSC) “Built for Life” program has been a runaway success. According to HFSC Chair Gary S. Keith, the program is exceeding the Coalition’s goals by a wide margin. “We were very strategic in developing the ‘Built for Life’ program,
making sure the materials addressed builders’ stated needs, so we expected there to be a lot of interest,” he explained. “But we were taken aback by the immediate and large number of requests for ‘Built for Life’ materials, and were pleased when we had to return to the printer to produce enough supplies to keep up with demand.” “ Built for Life” grew out of the findings from a national HFSC survey of home builders, which showed that 90 percent felt there was a need for builder education about home fire sprinklers and the majority said they personally wanted to learn more. The program serves as a valuable answer to both the knowledge gap within the home building industry and in response to growing interest in home sprinkler installations. “Built for Life” is a comprehensive residential fire sprinkler educational program designed specifically for home builders, designers and developers. HFSC earned federal grants for the program in 2003 and 2004 through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security/Office of Domestic Preparedness. “Built for Life” is the first comprehensive, national sprinkler education effort directed at the tens of thousands of builders and developers who build homes in the U.S.

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