The most effective fire loss prevention and reduction measure with
respect to both life and property is the installation and maintenance
of fire sprinklers.  If the focus is limited to prevention and reduction
of the loss of life, smoke alarms are also extremely effective.
However, the use of sprinklers and smoke detectors has not been
sufficiently comprehensive.

Recommendation

FEMA/USFA should develop a long-term implementation strategy
for fire sprinklers and smoke alarms.  The plan should include the
following implementation aspects:

· The approach should be community based;
· No tactic or strategy should detract from the requirement for
  sprinklers.  Smoke alarms (or other measures) should always be the
  locality’s second option as a loss reduction measure;
· Exploration of the technical, economic and practical aspects of utilizing
  alarm and sprinkler systems that provide automatic notification to a
  firehouse.  These systems should be professionally maintained and
  monitored;
· Confirmation of the accuracy of the belief that the appropriateness
  of the emplacement of sprinklers and alarms may be based on rural
  and urban distinctions, and whether other distinctions such as residential
  construction, commercial construction and critical  facilities may also be
  appropriate;
· The plan should distinguish between requirements for new construction
  and existing construction.
· The plan should articulate actions that result in:
  1. Improved use of financial incentives;
  2. Government leadership in including fire safety measures in its own
      buildings, and in those that it helps construct or for which it provides
      any form of financial assistance or guarantee;
  3. Prioritization standards in the retrofit of existing buildings based on
      risk to the public;
  4. A national public awareness and education campaign;
  5. Participation of the private and academic sectors;
  6. Improvement of technologies and lowering of costs;
  7. Inclusion and enhancement of fire safety requirements in model building
      code and standards;
      and
·  The Plan should complement communities’ actions to address all their hazards.
   For example, the ability of a community to address fire hazards should not be
   compromised by an earthquake event that ruptures sprinkler systems.