A fire sprinkler is best seen in action against a fire, and it’s not like in the movies.

You can watch what really happens — without getting wet — thanks to a fire sprinkler demo trailer donated by the National Fire Sprinkler Association to our state NFSA chapter. The trailer is designed to compare what happens during a fire if you have a sprinkler installed and what happens if you don’t.



Clean Response has agreed to maintain and restore the trailer by drying and cleaning it after each demonstration. We had it in our shop recently to do just that.

For demonstrations, the rooms on each side of the trailer are set up to resemble a similar living room with a couch, lamp and other furnishings.

Firefighters set each room on fire to show people how fast a room can erupt in flames, and how long it takes for a fire sprinkler to “spring” into action. The results are surprising. In less than three minutes, a room without a sprinkler can be completely filled with hot flames and deadly smoke.

The room with the fire sprinkler? The fire is put out in less than two minutes with minimal fire or smoke damage, giving residents time to escape. In our experience at Clean Response, the room with the sprinkler protection is also much easier to dry out, clean and restore than the room with the fire and smoke damage.

We are proud to partner with the National Fire Sprinkler Association and the Saint Paul Fire Department to maintain this trailer. We think it’s a great way to show the value of sprinklers to protect people and property against a potential fire.

Also, make your plans now to check out the Governor’s Fire Prevention Day at the Minnesota State Fair, http://governorsfirepreventionday.org/