by AF 0415 i3 — April 22, 2009—A nationwide survey conducted by the Society for Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE) reveals that building security topped a list of characteristics as Americans’ most important feature in public buildings. The list included comfort, fire safety, environmental friendliness and other amenities.
“The findings are not surprising given the threat from crime and terrorism that we face today,” said Chris Jelenewicz, engineering program manager at SFPE. “However, Americans should recognize that thousands of people die each year in fires, and fire safety features are critical to protect people and property.”
In the survey, 28 percent of respondents listed security as the most important feature, while 12 percent indicated that fire safety is the most important aspect of a building’s design. Americans also ranked comfort and amenities higher than fire safety.
The results are similar to SFPE’s 2006 survey, in which the same question was asked.
“Throughout history, the desire for increased building security has contributed to countless deadly building fires. The most notable fire occurred at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory in New York City in 1911, where locked exit doors contributed to 146 fatalities,” said Jelenewicz. “Although the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire occurred almost 100 years ago, the threat can still exist today if security is not balanced with fire protection.”
The survey commissioned by the Society for Fire Protection Engineers and conducted in February, 2009 by Synovate, polled more than one thousand American adults. The findings have a margin of error of plus (+) or minus (-) three percent.
For more information, see the SFPE Web site.
