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Fire Safety Products
From time to time our department comes across new and interesting fire safety products that are both effective and useful. While there is information about other products throughout the website here are a few examples of effective fire safety products available. One of the ways we seek to promote greater fire safety both at home and at work is to provide the community with information about these products.
Fire and Emergency Escape Ladders
We all (should) know the importance of having a fire and emergency escape plan. But, what if you need to escape from a second or third story? Enter fire escape ladders! Fire escape ladders allow you to safely escape through a window. Fire escape ladders can be crucial if you need to escape from any room above the ground floor. This is especially common in apartments. There are two styles of ladders. One style is permanently mounted under the window, and the other style hooks onto the window sill. If you are renting make sure you talk with you landlord before permanently mounting a fire escape ladder.
There are a number of fire escape ladders available. Do some research and choose the best option for your situation. Special consideration should be given if you need a ladder to escape from a third floor room, or if there are any other situation which would be deployment of an escape ladder difficult.
No matter which ladder you go with make sure that it is easily accessible and that all members of your household know how to deploy it effectively. Read the manufacturers instructions thoroughly.
As with any fire prevention question, feel free to contact us via email or call the Fire Prevention Division at 919-918-7352 during normal business hours.
Home Escape Ladder Styles
Stovetop Firestop
The number one cause of house fires is cooking. While residential sprinkler systems are the best option, that may not be possible in all situations. Also, water can intensify grease fires, so there must be a better way....
Automatic Extinguishing System
The WilliamsPyro company manufactures the StoveTop FireStop for use as an automatic extinguishing system for a residential stove. It is a 12-ounce container that attaches magnetically under the vent hood over a stovetop. For a typical residential stove with two front burners and two back burners you would need two units mounted on the underside of the vent hood of the stove.
When a stovetop fire occurs and the flame reaches the StoveTop FireStop, the fire-suppressing powder is automatically released onto the fire. The StoveTop FireStop never has to be inspected or repaired. After the service life of five years, simply replace it with a new one.
For more information and a video demonstrating a StoveTop FireStop you can visit the manufacturer's website.
Residential Sprinkler Systems
The data are clear. Sprinkler systems save lives.
Reducing Injuries & Deaths Caused By Residential Fires
Deaths from fires and burns are the third leading cause of fatal home injury in the United States. Despite spending significantly more than many countries on fire prevention, the mortality rate in the United States from fires ranks seventh worst among the 25 developed countries for which statistics are available. Many firefighters lose their lives fighting these fires too. How can we change this? Residential fire sprinklers could play a potentially significant role in reducing these injuries and deaths caused by residential fires.
To learn more, read below about the benefits of installing residential sprinklers, as well as dispelling some common misconceptions about how fire sprinklers work and appear. Finally, we have some links to more information about residential fire sprinklers and the effort to increase their use in North Carolina. We hope you find this page both informative and enlightening with regard to fire safety in the home.
Benefits of Residential Fire Sprinklers
Sprinklers are designed to detect, report, and confine a fire until fire suppression forces arrive to fully extinguish the fire.
Sprinklers protect paths of egress - bedrooms, hallways, kitchens, dining rooms and laundry rooms - providing for maximum life safety for the occupants inside or to protect those who may be trapped and unable to escape on their own.
Sprinklers contain a quick response element that allows the sprinkler head to react very quickly thus preventing a small fire from becoming too large to be handled by the system.
Sprinkler piping replaces the cold water domestic system, which saves money for the homeowner.
The sprinkler system will severely limit a fire's growth. Therefore, damage from a home sprinkler system will be much less severe than otherwise would be the case. It would even be less than the water damage caused by firefighting hose lines.
Homeowners could realize insurance discounts up to 15%. This would be in addition to any burglar alarm or fire discounts already in force.
Residential sprinklers increase firefighter safety and reduce the risk of injury by reducing the size and intensity of the fire. They also assist firefighters in rescue efforts by limiting the fire's size and reducing deadly smoke and gases that result.
Learn More
To learn much more about the benefits for residential fire sprinklers and the efforts by the fire service in North Carolina to increase the use and presence of residential sprinkler systems, we encourage you to visit a website set up by the North Carolina State Firemen's Association. You may also wish to visit the U.S. Fire Administration's website on residential sprinkler systems too. Other resources to consult include the International Residential Code Fire Sprinkler Coalition and the Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition. Finally, read information about common misconceptions regarding how sprinklers work.
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In Case of Emergency: Dial 911Non-Emergency Telephone: (919) 918-7347*
Email the Fire-Rescue Department*
*NOTE: Non-emergency telephone and email are not monitored 24/7/365.
- Does your department check and install car seats for children?
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Yes! Due to COVID-19 are currently inspecting and installing car seats for children on an appointment basis. Fill out the Child Passenger Safety Inspection Request form to schedule an appointment, or visit our Child Car Seat Installation page for more information.
- How do I order a reflective address sign?
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Reflective address signs are very important for emergency services. If we can't find you, we can't help you. Locating addresses can be especially tricky at night. Order a reflective address sign today. Signs are only $15 or $20 if mounted to a metal post. Use this form to order your reflective address sign. The signs are made at the fire-rescue department and you will be contacted once it is ready for pick-up.
- Does your department check and install smoke alarms and/or carbon monoxide detectors?
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As a part of our Community Risk Reduction program the Fire-Rescue Department installs smoke and carbon monoxide alarms for residents of Carrboro and the South Orange Fire District. Smoke alarms provide early notifications increasing the likelihood that you and your family will be able to escape if there is a fire in your home. Submit this form to schedule installation or inspection of a smoke or carbon monoxide alarm.
- How can I apply for a fire prevention permit?
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The Carrboro Fire-Rescue Department issues construction and operational permits in accordance with applicable state laws and the currently adopted edition of the North Carolina Fire Code. For more information regarding permits, reference Section 105 of the North Carolina Fire Code and in Chapter 12, Article II, Section 12-10 of the Town Code. You can apply for a fire prevention permit by submitting this form.
Reminder: Any plans for review (electrical, remodeling, fire alarm, sprinkler system) should be submitted to Town of Carrboro Planning, Zoning, and Inspections through PIPER prior to contacting the Fire-Rescue Department.
- How to I schedule a fire prevention education event or fire station tour? Birthday Party? Other events?
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We provide public education events, including fire prevention presentations. Use this form to request a public education event for your group or organization.
We regularly give station tours and safety talks to all types of groups, both formal and informal. Some of the groups we have had come through in the past include school classes, girl scouts, boy scouts, church groups, day care groups, after school programs, summer camp groups, home school students, and many individuals. Use this form to request a fire station tour.
If you are planning a community block party or birthday party our department will stop by during the event with a fire truck for all to see up close - both adults and children. We can show and explain the use and importance of the many pieces of equipment, display our gear, discuss fire safety topics, and distribute fire safety information. Use this form to request the department come out to your birthday or block party.
View our Community Services page to see what other services are offered by the fire-rescue department. Forms are available to request all of the services offered by the department.
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Fire-Rescue Department
Headquarters Station
301 W. Main St.
Carrboro, NC 27510
Non-Emergency Phone:(919) 918-7347 *
Station 2
1411 Homestead RD
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
Non-Emergency Phone:(919) 913-2943 *
*NOTE: Non-emergency telephone and email are not monitored 24/7/365.