How to Prevent Accidental Flooding From a Fire Sprinkler

Fire sprinklers can prevent house fires.

Fire sprinklers are a proven way to help save lives and property during a fire inside a building. According to the Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition, about 99 percent of all house fires are contained by a single sprinkler. These devices rely on a small plug inside the sprinkler head that's held in place by a trigger. This trigger is a glass container filled with a liquid. When the liquid is heated to a certain temperature, the glass breaks and the plug is released. Keeping your sprinklers from accidentally going off means protecting the trigger from premature release.

Instructions

1. Remove heat sources, such as candles and other open flames, from the room where the sprinkler is located. Sprinkler triggers are designed to break at about 155 degrees, so it's important to keep rooms well under that temperature.

2. Keep all objects away from the sprinkler heads. The glass triggers can be easily broken by a broom or other object that you might be using to clean around a sprinkler head.

3. Install sprinkler head guard cages around each head. These cages create a buffer to prevent objects from breaking the trigger. Cages can be installed simply by pressing the base around the sprinkler, or by using three small set screws that attach to the ceiling around the head.

4. Have your sprinklers tested by a professional once a year. Testing a fire sprinkler is not something you can do yourself. A certified sprinkler inspector will make sure no parts on the sprinkler are wearing out, which could lead to a flood.

Tips & Warnings

• Even if a sprinkler goes off accidentally in a house with more than one, typically only one will do so at a time, giving you an opportunity to shut off the system at the main control valve.

References

• NFSA: How to Maintain You Sprinkler System
• Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition: How Home Fire Sprinklers Work
• Chase Security Systems: Sprinkler Head Guards