Residential Fire Sprinkler Systems

Sprinkler systems provide extra protection against house fires.

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, all Americans should be protected from fires in their homes. Fire-related accidents can cause property damage and loss, injury and death. Every home should have both smoke alarms and automatic fire sprinklers. Families should make and practice fire escape plans. Smoke detectors can alert people about a fire, but can not put them out. Federal Emergency Management Association studies show that installing sprinkler systems in residences could save thousands of lives, prevent injuries and eliminate many millions of dollars in property damage.

What Are They?

Sprinkler systems for home use are quite similar to those used in commercial business offices and buildings. These sprinklers are quick to respond and relatively low-cost. New homes can be built with fire sprinklers, and existing homes can be retrofitted for automatic sprinkler systems that are connected to the household water supply. Fire sprinklers provide a safe environment for a family's possessions, home investment, and, most important, loved ones.

Advantages

Newly designed residential fire sprinklers respond to a fire even more quickly than current industrial sprinkler systems. The cost of installing sprinklers into new homes is targeted to be between $1 to $1.50 (as of 2010) per square foot of living space. Residential sprinklers are designed to be smaller than typical commercial sprinklers, and can coordinate with any interior design. They require only a small amount of extra plumbing and labor. Home sprinkler systems require much less water than commercial systems and can be hooked up to the domestic water supply.

Community Support

The San Clemente, California, City Council adopted Ordinance No. 745 on May 28, 1969, promoting residential automatic sprinkler systems. This has been used as an example for other communities. FEMA and the U.S. Fire Administration have united with private industry to promote the usage of home sprinkler safety systems throughout the country. Just a few organizations supporting the installation and usage of residential fire sprinkler systems are the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the Home Safety Council, the National Association of State Fire Marshals, the Sleep Products Safety Council, Tyco and Underwriters Laboratories.

Facts About Home Fire Sprinklers

Only the sprinkler over the fire will activate, not every sprinkler in the house. Sprinklers rarely go off accidentally, and if they ever do, water damage is minimal. Water damage to a home is much less extensive than fire damage. Home sprinkler systems only account for 1 percent to 1.5 percent of a new home's construction costs. Although commercial fire sprinklers are quite ugly, residential models are designed to fit discreetly into a variety of home decors.

Good Investment

The U.S. Fire Administration reports that a home fire occurs every 79 seconds. Home sprinkler systems add protection for all members of a family, including the elderly and those with disabilities. The fires become less intense, allowing for the fire to be put out more easily, or for family members to be able to escape safely. Sprinkler systems installed in homes allow community resources to be allocated away from fire fighting and toward other projects. Homeowner's insurance underwriters may offer discounts for their policy holders who install residential fire sprinkler systems.

References

• U.S. Fire Administration: Residential Sprinkler Systems