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.