Milwaukee Firefighter Puts Safety First in the Design of His Dream Home
LEESBURG, Va., March 17, 2006 – Constructing a residential building on an oddly-configured plot of urban land and under stringent city fire codes posed several design challenges for Milwaukee firefighter Casey Kerwin. With plans to build a 4,000 square-foot dream home for him, his wife and their new baby in the city of Milwaukee, Wis., Kerwin realized that a residential fire protection system from REHAU would provide an ideal solution to local coding restrictions––while also addressing a personal concern for his family’s safety.
Given the home’s tall and narrow design to accommodate existing structures on either side, Milwaukee fire codes mandated either a second staircase or the installation of a residential fire protection system.
“Adding another stairwell would have subtracted significant space in the home,” said Jane Kerwin of Jane Kerwin Homes. “As such, a residential fire protection system became the natural choice, and would also provide the elevated level of protection the homeowner himself was seeking.”
Plumbing contractor Bayview Plumbing – licensed installer of both plumbing and domestic fire protection systems in the state of Wisconsin – and distributor Rundle Spence were approached for the project and recommended a residential fire protection system from REHAU. “To us the choice was obvious,” said Matt Lowery, designer at Rundle Spence. “The unique nature of this project, between stringent coding issues and a very high structure with lots of stairs, made it necessary to specify a product that was lighter in weight and easy to handle. REHAU’s residential fire protection system, which is integrated with a home’s cold water PEX plumbing system, became the ideal choice.”
REHAU engineers worked with Bayview and Rundle Spence to specify the multi-purpose system using ¾-inch diameter cross-linked polyethylene (PEXa) RAUPEX pipe to feed the fire sprinklers. In addition, ½-inch RAUPEX was used to branch from the system to conveniently service the home’s plumbing needs. REHAU’s EVERLOC compression sleeve fitting system was also used, and would easily facilitate connections without flame, heat or solvent. With a larger diameter than competing products, these corrosion-resistant fittings would also offer superior flow characteristics and less pressure loss.
“The flexibility of REHAU’s RAUPEX pipe was incredibly beneficial as the job required snaking it around laminated beams and through three floors of the home,” said Mike Binder of Bayview Plumbing. “This would have been extremely challenging and time-consuming had we used rigid pipe.”
“REHAU’s system design and on-site installation support were instrumental in further streamlining the project,” added Binder.
In addition to addressing local fire code mandates, the REHAU residential fire protection system also made it possible for Kerwin to secure a zoning variance after the home’s foundation was deemed too close to the lot perimeter. “Although Milwaukee fire codes require a certain amount of distance between a house and the property line, the high level of fire safety supplied by the system meant we could receive that variance without difficulty,” explained Ms. Kerwin. “This was especially helpful as we were originally notified about this after the foundation had already been poured.”
With the house still in its final phase of construction, Kerwin and his family are eager to finally call it their home. “As a firefighter, a husband and a father, I’m grateful for the enhanced sense of security that REHAU’s residential fire protection system will add to the overall excitement of finally living in our dream home.” Kerwin anticipates a spring 2006 move-in timeframe.
REHAU delivers “Unlimited Polymer Solutions,” and is the premium worldwide brand for polymer-based innovations and systems in construction, automotive and industry. The company generates continuous growth through its expertise and innovative capabilities in materials development, systems design and surface technology. More than 15,000 employees at more than 170 locations around the world ensure success of the independent, privately held company.
Given the home’s tall and narrow design to accommodate existing structures on either side, Milwaukee fire codes mandated either a second staircase or the installation of a residential fire protection system.
“Adding another stairwell would have subtracted significant space in the home,” said Jane Kerwin of Jane Kerwin Homes. “As such, a residential fire protection system became the natural choice, and would also provide the elevated level of protection the homeowner himself was seeking.”
Plumbing contractor Bayview Plumbing – licensed installer of both plumbing and domestic fire protection systems in the state of Wisconsin – and distributor Rundle Spence were approached for the project and recommended a residential fire protection system from REHAU. “To us the choice was obvious,” said Matt Lowery, designer at Rundle Spence. “The unique nature of this project, between stringent coding issues and a very high structure with lots of stairs, made it necessary to specify a product that was lighter in weight and easy to handle. REHAU’s residential fire protection system, which is integrated with a home’s cold water PEX plumbing system, became the ideal choice.”
REHAU engineers worked with Bayview and Rundle Spence to specify the multi-purpose system using ¾-inch diameter cross-linked polyethylene (PEXa) RAUPEX pipe to feed the fire sprinklers. In addition, ½-inch RAUPEX was used to branch from the system to conveniently service the home’s plumbing needs. REHAU’s EVERLOC compression sleeve fitting system was also used, and would easily facilitate connections without flame, heat or solvent. With a larger diameter than competing products, these corrosion-resistant fittings would also offer superior flow characteristics and less pressure loss.
“The flexibility of REHAU’s RAUPEX pipe was incredibly beneficial as the job required snaking it around laminated beams and through three floors of the home,” said Mike Binder of Bayview Plumbing. “This would have been extremely challenging and time-consuming had we used rigid pipe.”
“REHAU’s system design and on-site installation support were instrumental in further streamlining the project,” added Binder.
In addition to addressing local fire code mandates, the REHAU residential fire protection system also made it possible for Kerwin to secure a zoning variance after the home’s foundation was deemed too close to the lot perimeter. “Although Milwaukee fire codes require a certain amount of distance between a house and the property line, the high level of fire safety supplied by the system meant we could receive that variance without difficulty,” explained Ms. Kerwin. “This was especially helpful as we were originally notified about this after the foundation had already been poured.”
With the house still in its final phase of construction, Kerwin and his family are eager to finally call it their home. “As a firefighter, a husband and a father, I’m grateful for the enhanced sense of security that REHAU’s residential fire protection system will add to the overall excitement of finally living in our dream home.” Kerwin anticipates a spring 2006 move-in timeframe.
REHAU delivers “Unlimited Polymer Solutions,” and is the premium worldwide brand for polymer-based innovations and systems in construction, automotive and industry. The company generates continuous growth through its expertise and innovative capabilities in materials development, systems design and surface technology. More than 15,000 employees at more than 170 locations around the world ensure success of the independent, privately held company.
na.rehau.com: Company > Press > Press Release Archive
© REHAU Incorporated 2010
© REHAU Incorporated 2010
© REHAU Incorporated 2010