Midwest Automatic Fire Sprinkler

08/31/2026

KCFD: Sprinkler system contains fire, elderly occupant treated for burn injuries

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City, Missouri, Fire Department reports a sprinkler system helped control a fire Saturday in the 3000 block of Benton Boulevard.

Firefighters were called to the scene around 5:30 p.m. on an automatic alarm.

Upon arrival, firefighters said a water flow alarm was sounding, and the sprinkler system was activated in an apartment.

Firefighters had to forcibly enter the unit, which was filled with smoke.

The elderly occupant was treated on the scene and transported with burn injuries, per the fire department.

Thanks to the sprinkler system controlling the blaze, KCFD said no further fire suppression was needed.

Source: IFSA

08/18/2026

We are honored to be a 2025 Acuity Insurance Safety Award recipient. This award is given to businesses that are exemplary in their partnership with Acuity Insurance to help ensure a safe workplace. We take safety seriously and are proud to be an award recipient.

07/30/2026

07/21/2026

January 28, 2026

MASON CITY, Iowa — The Mason City Fire Department swiftly responded to a fire at Shalom Tower II on Wednesday evening.

The fire, reported at 7:53 p.m., originated in the trash chute, leading to a light haze on the sixth and seventh floors. Firefighters evacuated residents to the main floor lobby and discovered a smoldering trash dumpster on the first floor. Fortunately, a fire sprinkler had already extinguished the flames.

The fire was accidental, caused by discarded smoking material. Thanks to the early warning from the fire alarm and the sprinkler system, the situation was quickly brought under control. Residents returned to their apartments after firefighters ventilated the corridors.

The Mason City Police Department and building maintenance staff provided assistance, while additional off-duty firefighters were called in for support. The fire department resumed normal operations by 9:33 p.m.

06/16/2026

Fire Sprinkler Save in Rolling Meadows, Illinois
On Wednesday January 6, 2026 at approximately 1:15 PM, Rolling Meadows Fire Department units were dispatched to an activated fire alarm at 5400 Astor Lane, a large four-story condominium building with a basement parking garage and multiple refuse rooms connected by garbage chutes from each floor.
While enroute, crews were advised of smoke reported on the 4th floor. Upon arrival, no visible smoke or flames were observed from the outside; however, crews did hear the fire sprinkler bell sounding.

During the investigation, firefighters located a dumpster fire in the basement. A single sprinkler head directly above the dumpster had activated and largely extinguished the fire before it could spread.

This incident is a powerful reminder of how automatic fire sprinkler systems save lives, limit fire spread, and significantly reduce property damage. Had this building not had a fire sprinkler system or had it not functioned properly—the outcome could have been catastrophic.

No injuries were reported
No residents were displaced
The sprinkler system was quickly restored to service

Source: IFSA

06/09/2026

January 28, 2026

MASON CITY, Iowa — The Mason City Fire Department swiftly responded to a fire at Shalom Tower II on Wednesday evening.
The fire, reported at 7:53 p.m., originated in the trash chute, leading to a light haze on the sixth and seventh floors. Firefighters evacuated residents to the main floor lobby and discovered a smoldering trash dumpster on the first floor.

Fortunately, a fire sprinkler had already extinguished the flames.

The fire was accidental, caused by discarded smoking material. Thanks to the early warning from the fire alarm and the sprinkler system, the situation was quickly brought under control.

Residents returned to their apartments after firefighters ventilated the corridors.

The Mason City Police Department and building maintenance staff provided assistance, while additional off-duty firefighters were called in for support. The fire department resumed normal operations by 9:33 p.m.
Source: KIMT3

03/12/2026

Fires stress importance of sprinkler systems

October 25, 2005
Two unrelated fires that took place in Campustown apartments Sunday could have been much worse had it not been for sprinkler systems, which are not present in many apartment buildings and dormitories in Ames.
The fires at Cyclone Plaza, 200 Stanton Ave., and Legacy Tower, 119 Stanton Ave., resulted in no injuries, but several thousand dollars in damage.

Fire Chief Clint Petersen said the fire at Cyclone Plaza began at approximately 6:30 p.m. Sunday in a seventh-floor kitchen while residents were cooking. The fire at Legacy Tower was started shortly before 1 a.m. Sunday when improperly disposed of smoking materials on a sixth-floor balcony started a chair on fire.

“Two hundred Stanton was typical of an apartment fire that had a significant fuel source around the kitchen area,” Petersen said, adding the fire could have caused more damage and injuries had it not been put out within minutes by a sprinkler system.

“Both fires this weekend highlight the importance of a sprinklered apartment building,” Petersen said.

Approximately $10,000 in damage was done at Cyclone Plaza and $5,000 at Legacy Tower. Damage at both buildings was largely confined to the apartments where the fires originated, although water from the sprinkler system at Legacy Tower leaked into four adjoining rooms, Petersen said.

Still, Petersen said sprinklers require approximately 10 percent as much water use as responding firefighters would use, and are able to put fires out more quickly with less damage.

As of 2003, sprinklers are mandated by the International Fire Code for new construction with three or more units, said Fire Inspector Tom Henriksen.

John Dix, realtor for Gateway Real Estate, said most Ev Cochrane buildings, including Cyclone Plaza, which opened in 2003, and Legacy Tower, which opened in 2004, have sprinkler systems.
Older buildings in Ames may lack an internal sprinkler system, however, Petersen said, and no list is currently available of which buildings do or do not have them.

On campus, Willow, Larch, Wallace-Wilson, Oak-Elm, Barton-Lyon-Freeman and Friley halls do not have sprinkler systems, said Dave Bunker, safety coordinator for facilities management.

“It’s a very expensive proposition to sprinkle buildings,” he said.
He said, for example, putting sprinklers in Friley Hall would cost approximately $1 million.

Bunker said other fire safety measures, such as smoke and fire detectors, are in place in residence halls that lack sprinkler systems.
Henriksen said sprinklers are very effective, adding that “a high percentage of the fires are controlled by one or two heads,” meaning they are dealt with quickly before they spread.

According to an August 2005 report by the National Fire Protection Association, in fires where sprinklers are present, chances of deaths are reduced by one-half to three-fourths and average property loss is reduced by one-half to two-thirds compared to fires in structures without sprinklers.

“Sprinklers are considered to be one of the most important parts of life safety, but they are far from the only part,” according to the report. “Adherence to code provisions … of occupants, control of heat sources, flammability of furnishings, and availability and capacity of exits are essential.”

Bunker said there are plans for sprinklers in Friley Hall; a timeline has not been set.

Eric Lund, Author

12/09/2025

To protect the historic complex of buildings surrounding the Christmas tree Rockefeller Center incorporates the installation of a fire sprinkler system, installed within the tree, specifically designed to protect the tree structure. The tree system is tied directly into the building’s or plaza’s fire sprinkler system via a riser.