Have you ever watched a movie where all
the fire sprinklers in a building go off at once? If you’ve
been one of the millions visiting the theaters or renting movies
every year, chances are that you have witnessed this event, which
happens to be the biggest myth about fire sprinklers. In reality,
the simple fact is that fire sprinklers are individually activated
by the heat from a fire, and according to the Home Fire Sprinkler
Coalition about 90% of fires in sprinklered homes are controlled
or extinguished by one fire sprinkler.
So why does Hollywood consistently portray
fire sprinklers in a false light? To keep the viewers’ interest
through sometimes unrealistic action and drama. The more fire
sprinklers activate, the more dramatic the scene. The problem
is that many people see the Hollywood depictions of all fire
sprinklers operating at once and believe them to be true. Buying
into that myth has unfortunately caused many homeowners to lose
interest in lifesaving residential fire sprinklers systems.
Other common fire sprinkler myths are that smoke can set off a
fire sprinkler or someone can pull a switch to set off a fire sprinkler
system, both of which are entirely untrue.
“When millions of families see movies that undermine fire
sprinkler technology, we have to take it seriously,” says
HFSC Chair Gary Keith. “If even one homeowner walks away
from a theater with second thoughts about installing fire sprinklers
in their home, the movies have done a real disservice to public
safety.”
Movies that show these myths include a
wide range of movies from action to comedy to romance to children’s
movies:
• Casino Royale (2006)
• Accepted (2006)
• The Incredibles (2004)
• The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie (2004)
• Changing Lanes (2002)
• The Matrix (1999)
• Lethal Weapon 4 (1998)
• Hocus Pocus (1993)
• Die Hard (1988)
“Getting the facts about fire safety wrong can have serious
consequences,” adds Keith. “Every year, approximately
3,000 people are killed in home fires. Of all structures, homes
are where people are at greatest risk; in fact, eight out of 10
fire deaths occur at home.”
For those fire departments looking to debunk movie myths about
fire sprinklers, think about hosting a community movie night at
the fire station, playing one of the movies above. Afterwards,
have a discussion about the inaccuracies of the fire sprinkler
scene and answer any other questions community members may have
about home fire sprinklers.
Have you recently watched a movie or other form of media that
falsely portrayed fire sprinklers? Send
us the name of the movie and the approximate time when the event occurs within the movie.
