HOME & GARDEN Sprinkler systems give 24-hour fire protection THE VAST majority of people who die in fires in North America are children and the elderly, both of whom are often unable to escape on their own. Now, fire sprinkler systems in- stalled in the home can protect not only those people who need assistance escaping a fire, but the entire family. The District of North Van- couver Fire Department says that by installing a home fire sprinkler system, you are providing a type of 24-hour automatic fire protec- tion. Modern materials and methods have made a new fire protection team member available to home- owners. Automatic fire sprinklers especially designed for residential use are now a Safe, affordable op- tion. In fact, in many com- munities they are now required in new homes. A fire may smoulder for hours, but once the first flame appears, it may take only two minutes for the fire to spread to the contents, walls and ceiling of an_ entire room. However, in a room protected by a fire sprinkler system, the heat Power Smart “SMART CLOTHES’”’ suggest style, fabric and flair. But ‘‘smart’’ doesn’t just pertain to style, it also refers to energy use: Power smart clothes care. Believe it or not, you can be energy-efficient in the way you wash and dry clothes. And the first place to start is with the ap- pliances themselves. Use the EnerGuide The EnerGuide is a sticker that appears on new appliances sold in Canada. It tells you how many kilowatt-hours (kKW.h) of electric- ity the appliance uses per month. “The lower the EnerGuide rat- ing, the more energy-efficient the appliance — and the lower its operating costs,’’ says Bob Favelle, Power Smart repre- sentative for North Shore/ Coastal. ‘‘A few cents or dollars in energy savings per month can add up over the 10 or 20 years you'll be using the appliance.’” When shopping for a new washer or dryer, Icok for a unit in the 80 kW.h/month range. Keep in mind that front-loading washers are more energy-efficient than top-loading models because they use only about half the hot water. Washing tips Run your washer only with a full load, or adjust the water level to the size of the load. Avoid overloading — it’s hard on the HOT TIPS North Vancouver District Fire Department from the fire would cause the sprinkler to spray water to extin- guish or confine the fire until the fire department arrives. Statistics show that sprinkler systems save lives and reduce fire damage by over 80% in some cases. Sprinklers have been used in commercial buildings for many years. The combined new technology of a quick-response sprinkler head, the reduced expense of in- Stallation, the use of plastic pipe and the ability to blend the sprinkler into the decor of a room, have all helped to increase the popularity and use of home sprinkler systems. They are being included in plans for new homes, as well as being added to existing construction. ° Tests of these new systems show that sprinkler heads respond to fire in as little as 35 seconds. When coupled with smoke detec- tors, they provide early warning and early response. Frequent questions concerning clothes care machine, and clothes are unlikely to comé out clean. Clean the washer lint filter between loads. Using the manufacturer’s recommended wash and _ rinse temperatures will help get the dirt out and prevent shrinkage, wrinkl- ing and colors running. Most clothes come clean, and use half the hot water, with a warm water wash. Even better, wash in cold water whenever possible. And use the cold rinse cycle for all toads. There's no effect on cleaning power, and cold water rinsing prevents wrinkling in synthetics and blends. Energy-efficient dr;iag On sunny days the most effi- cient dryer of all is the ciothesline. Whites are no problem, but be cautious about the bleaching ef- fects of the sun on colored items. Empty the lint screen after each load and vacuum the back of the dryer periodically. Pruning overgrown shrubs or plants that are blocking the dryer vent outlet will also increase the appliance’s efficiency. ‘You can get the results you want, cut back on ironing and be Power Smart by selecting the cor- rect setting and choosing the shortest possible drying time,”’ says Favelle. For more information on Power Smart clothes care, see an appli- ance dealer, or contact your local Hydro office. Or call the Power Smart fines: 293-7777 in the Lower Mainland, 1-800-663-0431 in the rest of the province. =HunterDouglas BLINDS 19 Years of Excellence & Competitive Prices ~LONSDALE 922- O off Designer Fabric Verticals & Micro Blinds 1709 home sprinklers include the fol- lowing: Will the sprinkler go off acciden- tally? Research shows an accidental discharge due to a manufacturing defect is one in 16 million sprinklers per year in service. If one sprinkler head goes off, will they all activate? Sprinkler heads are designed to Teact to temperatures in each room individually. Normally, only the sprinkler over the fire will ac- tivate, If the sprinkler system activates, will my house sustain severe water damage? Tests show that damage caused by water from a sprinkler is much less than damage caused by fire department hose streams. Aren’t sprinklers too expensive to install? A sprinkler system can be in- stalled in a home under construc- tion very economically — usually around $1.50 per square foot. For further information, please call the District of North Van- ‘couver Fire Department non- emergency number, 980-7575. 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