Over the years, HFSC has often heard from members of the fire service with specific requests for help in raising awareness about residential fire sprinkler technology. The new “Living with Sprinklers” program is a good example. HFSC developed that program as a direct response to the fire service and fire sprinkler contractors who were in need of informative materials they could provide to families living in sprinklered homes.

Now, HFSC is taking on the new challenge of reaching out to water supply professionals, again in response to fire service input. Targeting this group is essential because just as with the homebuilding industry, there is documented misinformation within the water supply community.

That lack of knowledge about the technology and the benefits of fire sprinkler protection can have far-reaching and damaging effects in communities that have burgeoning residential sprinkler efforts underway. For example, HFSC has learned about unfortunate cases where exorbitant tap fees are being charged to owners of sprinklered single-family homes. “These unfair fees penalize the homeowner for a decision to enhance the safety of the home and they negatively impact the entire community,” says John Galt, who represents the Canadian Automatic Sprinkler Association on HFSC’s Board. “The fire service needs more tools to help educate water supply professionals.”

In response to this need, HFSC tested the waters by exhibiting at the 2006 American Water Works Association (AWWA) annual convention. With more than 57,000 members, AWWA is the largest organization of water supply professionals in the world. More than 4,700 water utilities supplying 180 million people in North America are represented.

The reaction to HFSC’s exhibit was strong, showing AWWA is a viable market for expansion of sprinkler messaging. As funding becomes available, HFSC will continue to reach out to this important group.