If there would have been smoke detection and a clean agent system there would have been less damage and none from the water. There would have only been clean up and replacement of what initiated the smoke. It would not have escalated onto a fire due to the early detection.

Smoke Detection is in every school, state codes require it, you need detection and suppression. I am all for it, If there was a clean agent system in there the school would have to have floated a multi-million dollar bond issue for ten years of burden on the residents of oak forest, if designed properly as the school would have to be designed structurely with many more features to properly seal every room from leaking air so the agent could be held in place for a minute to extinguish a fire, and oh by the way, it would have snuffed out the life of any student, teacher or visitor if they were not evacuated in less than one minute, ever witness a schoold fire drill completed in one minute? sorry friend, just let the facts speak for themselves and be happy that no one got hurt including the responding firefighters.

Glad no one was hurt, the damage was minimal and the building and documents were saved. I wonder if the local districts could afford clean agent systems and if they would be cost-effective. According to facilities.net, clean agent systems cost 25-30 times more than sprinkler systems.

Clean agent typically comes with pre warning devices similar to fire alarm audio/strobe to alert occupants to provide time for people to evacuate prior to discharge. Idea is so no one is in building when discharge starts and oxygen depletion has not started prior to everyone evacuating. Sprinkler are still more cost effective in an instutional setting such as a school. It would be better to supplement computer labs or areas of high value with clean agent is done in industrial businesses. Just my past experience with such things in the fire prevention world.

Could you imagine the cost to the Oak Forest tax payers to replace that school, the disruption to the pupils, parents and staff of the entire school district if those sprinklers were not there ? Times are tough enough. Thanks to those responsible for having them installed.

i'm glad no one got hurt because my friends used to go there and there's a chance they would have known the people that got hurt if anyone did...

The most effective way to have early fire detection is with engineered smoke detection combined with engineered fire sprinklers. the first would help with the evacuation and the second is for control & suppression. This is an example of why we need fire sprinklers in every commercial and residential building. Kudos to Mr Lia and Mr Copeland for the sensible comments

I happen to work for a large fire suppresion company and know the codes. I see I am speaking to armchair quartebacks. Clean agent is safe for people and equipment and is quite affordable when you consider the down time and equipment, clean up and damage to the building from the fire and water. For anyone who knows fire suppresion, photo and ion smoke detectors as well as hssd detection with a releasing control panel for a clean agent system, say Novec1230 or FM-200 will detect the smoke while itr is smoldering before there is a fire and put it out. FM-200 is so safe it is used as a propelant in inhalers and as long as you stay under the LOAEL for the design concentration it is safe for prople. FM-200 has a design concetration of 7% for a class c fire and the loael is 10% so your well under, NOVEC is 4.7% and testing was done in excess of 10% with no effect so you are safe with this agent as well. I make a living protecting assests that people and companies don't want destroyed,don't want the clean up and can not have the down time by sprinklers. In data centers, computer rooms, telcom rooms etc, sprinklers are always secondary. I give classes on this subject all across the coutry and personel for fire departments happen to be in my class as well to learn the benefits of a properly designed CA system. Thanks for all your comments, it has given me some insight on more of what I must include my next class.

Oh, FYI the clean agents I spoke of above do not need to be completely sealed for fear of snuffing the life out of anyone, they are completely discharged in 10 seconds, no changes structuraly and again the LOAEL. Sorry my friends just letting the facts speak.

I agree with mscholp, I have been in fire suppresion for 10+ years. The clean agent systems are the way to go to mitigate the damage of the fire and water from the sprinklers. Sorry, no matter how many times you say engineered, it does not make sprinklers any better or detection any faster. It seems there are many who need to be educated on new technology, please read the NFPA 2001, 75, 72, etc. and the MSDS before you comment on something you do not know about.

Arm chair quarterbacks? I can't speak for anyone else but Tom Lia is not an arm chair quarterback. He has been on the front line for more than 25 years. First with the fire department and now as an advocate for fire sprinklers and the lives they can save. We can bang around the cost factor all day. Let's be thankful that sprinklers were installed and they operated correctly. Furthermore, let's be glad that school WILL be open on Monday and a truely huge disaster was extinguished. Local 281 Chicago Sprinkler Fitters have a bumper sticker that Tom Lia preaches everyday.....Fire Sprinklers Save Lives. Keep up the good work Tom. We all at Local 281 appreciate your hard work.

These clean air systems work on the premise of reducing the oxygen level that extinquishes the fire. While the effects on a healthy person in a normal deployment should not be affected, in public buildings, you may have individuals who cannot evacuate in a timely manner and may not be healthy. These systems have a place, however, driving up the cost of schools and public buildings, at the risk of safety of the public does not seem rational. I did not read all of the details, however, are "DEAD MAN" switches still required in areas where these agents are used? And do all occupents need to be properly trained on their use? IE, would a "DEAD MAN" switch need to be installed in each classroom and all of the occupants be trained in it's use? Is this even practical? Additionally, although they do not require a sealed environment, is a fully open door enough to keep the oxygen level down? Would automatic door closers need to be installed on all offices and classrooms? The fire was contained, and some smoke and water damage occured, but sound like it was kept to a minimum. Given the minimal damage, does the increased cost of such a system outweigh the insurance premiums or the cleanup itself?

Good thing someone had the fore sight to have fire sprinklers installed in the building besides saving the building more important they save lives

Lets say you did have FM 200 tanks protecting the school. How many tanks would it take to cover one classroom? What's the cost of having 1 tank recharged after it dumps? You would be recharging multiple tanks since they are ran in a series and controlled by one solenoid. How much does it cost to replace some drywall and 1 sprinkler head?

Instead of bitching and complaining that the system isnt good enough (which it obviously worked just fine), why don't you all stop for 2 seconds and be grateful no children or staff were hurt?! Isn't that a little more important than acting like know it all's?