What Is a Fire Protection Sprinkler?
A fire protection sprinkler automatically activates in the event of a structure fire to contain or extinguish flames. They have been used in commercial buildings for close to 100 years. Homeowners also find sprinklers to be wise investments. Does this Spark an idea?
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How They Work
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A firefighter carries a hose to put out a wildfire. A network of piping, usually hidden behind walls and ceilings, links fire protection sprinklers throughout a structure. They usually draw from home water sources and are activated by heat from a fire.
Effectiveness
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Having the recommended number of smoke alarms and sprinklers is wise. If you have the recommended number of smoke alarms, you increase your chances of surviving a fire by 47 percent. Fire protection sprinklers increase that to over 97 percent, according to the Residential Fire Safety Institute.
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Cost
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A fire alarm is a good idea in buildings. For a home with a standard floor plan, prices for fire protection sprinkler systems can be expected to be under $1 per square foot of habitable space to slightly over $1, according to the Residential Fire Safety Institute. Prices may vary depending on the number of contractors doing this work in the area and the prevailing labor rates.
Insurance Benefits
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Homeowners with a fire protection sprinkler system can save on insurance. According to firesafety.gov, the federal government's resource for fire safety and prevention, homeowners with a fire protection sprinkler system can expect to save 5 percent to 15 percent on their insurance premiums depending on the type of coverage.
Maintenance
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Testing your fire protection sprinkler system once a year is recommended. The Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition recommends that homeowners with a fire protection sprinkler system do a water flow test once per year and record the date. This involves turning on the water control test valve, letting it run for 60 seconds and then turning it off.
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References
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Guwashi Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Bugeater Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Daniel Rothamel Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of D'Arcy Norman Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Eric Castro Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Jeff Turner
