How to Decide to Use a Home Sprinkler System

Home sprinkler systems can save lives - and homes. Certain cities - such as Daly City, California - require the installation of sprinkler systems in any new homes being built. Studies show that the damage from a fire is greatly reduced when a sprinkler system is in place.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Fireproof Storage Units
• Fire Ladders
• Smoke Detectors
• Smoke Detectors
• Fire Sprinkler Contractors
• Fire Extinguishers
• Fire Extinguishers
• Combination Smoke/carbon Monoxide Detectors

1. Know that a home sprinkler system, which is triggered by heat, can save you and your home from a devastating fire.

2. Understand that a home sprinkler system can also save time and energy for the firefighters. An extra few minutes of water falling on the fire make a tremendous difference.

3. Call your local fire station and ask to speak to someone knowledgeable about fire sprinklers. Ask to see photos of homes that have had similar fires - ones using only smoke detectors and ones using home sprinkler systems. You'll see that fire damage with a sprinkler system in place is considerably less than without sprinklers.

4. Ask your local fire department for referrals when looking to install a sprinkler system.

5. Know that if you cannot add a sprinkler system to your home, it is imperative that you install working smoke detectors. They are an inexpensive alternative to a home sprinkler system.

Tips & Warnings

• Avoid hanging anything from your sprinklers.
• Maintain an 18-inch clearance from sprinklers. Avoid storing anything close to them.
• If your sprinklers go off, you literally have seconds to respond. There is absolutely no time to gather possessions, pets and possibly even each other. Your best response is to leave the home immediately, gather at your prearranged meeting place and call 911 from a neighbor's home.
• Never go back into the house once you've escaped from the fire.

on 11/22/2005 Sprinkler heads go off by HEAT, not smoke. Each head is separate from the others, so a basement fire will not set off heads on the first or second floors. This is very important information to know about fire sprinklers.