Fire Safety Bill Sparks College Sprinkler Awareness Campaign

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Shutgun in action

Now that students are living with fire sprinklers, they should know how to treat them.

New York (PRWEB) September 10, 2013

On the heels of the Kerry Rose Fire Sprinkler Notification Act issued July 25, Shutgun is challenging New York state campuses to educate their students and staff on proper sprinkler use and safety.

“This bill has heightened awareness around fire safety on college campuses and brings fire sprinklers top of mind,” said Greg Patterson, engineer and President of shutgun.ca. “We are challenging the campus operators to take this bill one step further with our sprinkler awareness challenge."

Shutgun’s Sprinkler Awareness Challenge will offer a free Shutgun tool, along with demonstration videos and fire sprinkler FAQ document to every college campus in New York State. Managers can go to http://www.shutgun.ca to receive their free kit by mail.

There are over 300 college campuses in New York State, most equipped with sprinkler systems. “Now that students are living with these devices, they should be made aware of how to treat them and the proper procedures around sprinkler safety,” said Patterson. “We also want the staff to have the right tools in their kit in case a sprinkler emergency does occur.”

Though accidental fire sprinkler activations are rare, there are several well documented reports of sprinkler floods in college dorms. “The results range from thousands of dollars in water damage to hundreds of displaced students with disrupted schedules. It’s a nightmare,” said Patterson.

Patterson cites the top examples of accidental sprinkler head activation in college dorms as: clothes and other items hung from the sprinkler head; soccer balls; and frisbees. Shutgun has compiled a list of top college dorm sprinkler flood videos on twitter at #ShouldaHadaShutgun.

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Shutgun has become a tool box staple for building managers, superintendents and contractors. Conceived by a Toronto District Fire Chief of 35 years, Shutgun is a one-handed, easy-to-use fire sprinkler shut off tool. Shutgun avoids shutting off the main water supply to the sprinkler system, thus giving continued fire protection to all units. Shutgun shuts off most types of sprinkler heads including the semi-recessed style now popular in commercial complexes. http://www.shutgun.ca

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