Society of
Fire Protection Engineers
AUSTIN - SAN ANTONIO CHAPTER
8207 Asmara Drive
Austin, TX 78750
(512) 795-2900
NEWS
For Immediate Release
June 18, 2014
Contact:
Jeffrey Shapiro
512-699-6500
[email protected]
AUSTIN CELEBRATES 200 HABITAT HOMES WITH FIRE SPRINKLERS
Austin, TX ― The Austin-San Antonio Chapter of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers
(SFPE), Austin Habitat for Humanity and the Austin Fire Department recently celebrated the
completion of 200 homes equipped with fire sprinklers at a special dedication ceremony
commemorating the milestone. The ceremony, which included a live burn demonstration of
bedrooms with and without fire sprinklers and presentation of a $1,000 donation from SFPE to
Austin Habitat, was covered by three local television stations and was attended by more than 100
Habitat homeowners, family members, staff and volunteers.
Austin Habitat has been installing sprinklers in all new homes for past 10 years, and the program
has clearly demonstrated the simplicity and cost effectiveness of including fire sprinklers as a
standard feature in affordable homes. Austin now boasts the second largest group of sprinklered
Habitat homes in the world.
“The Society of Fire Protection Engineers partnership with Austin Habitat for Humanity and
the Austin Fire Department serves as a great model of cooperation for advancing fire safety
in affordable housing,” said Jeffrey Shapiro, PE, with the SFPE Austin-San Antonio Chapter.
“Plus, our success with Habitat gives us a real-life example to discuss when educating the
community, home builders, realtors and local media about the importance of residential fire
sprinklers.”
Others valued partners supporting the Austin Habitat sprinkler program include Reliable
Automatic Sprinkler Company, Tyco Fire Products, Viking Corporation, Garabedian Associates
and International Code Consultants.
About the Society of Fire Protection Engineers:
Fire protection engineers use science and technology to protect people and property from fire.
Organized in 1950, the Society of Fire Protection Engineers is the professional society for
engineers involved in the field of fire protection engineering, and the Austin-San Antonio Chapter
(www.sfpe-asa.org) represents over 150 fire protection professionals in the Austin-San Antonio
area.
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Electronic original photos available on request
Firefighters prepare to extinguish unsprinklered burn demonstration.
(From left) Jeffrey Shapiro, P.E. with the SFPE Austin-San Antonio Chapter, Texas
State Fire Marshal Chris Connealy, Austin Fire Chief Rhoda Mae Kerr and David
Nungaray with Tyco Fire Products after the burn demonstration
A newly dedicated Austin Habitat home with fire sprinklers