Home Sprinkler System Information
Fire sprinklers protect life and property! Most people don't realize that 8 out of 10 fire deaths occur in the home. They usually happen at night when people are asleep. People also do not understand how fast fires spread and how they can go from a tiny flame to total destruction in as little as three minutes. Fire sprinklers can suppress and often extinguish a fire before the fire department arrives, giving people time to escape. Including fire sprinklers in new homes is a great idea that can save lives. But it does raise many questions. In this section you will find home fire sprinkler facts and frequently asked questions.
Home Sprinkler Facts
* More than 4,000 people die in fires each year. Sprinklers save lives, reduce property loss, and can even cut costs on home owner insurance.
* Home fire sprinklers can contain and possibly extinguish a fire in less time than it would take the fire company to arrive on scene. The fire company would still have to come and make sure the fire was fully extinguished and there was no extinguish.
* Installing both smoke alarms and fire sprinkler systems reduce the risk of death in a house fire by 82%, relative to having neither.
* Only the sprinkler closest to the fire will activate, spraying water directly on the fire. 90% of fires are contained by just one sprinkler.
* Nationally, on average, a home sprinkler system costs $1.35 per square foot of sprinkled space in new construction.
* Home sprinklers use only a fraction of water used by a fire hose.
* Home fire sprinkler systems are at least as reliable as home plumbing systems.
* Modern home sprinklers are inconspicuous and can be mounted flush to walls or ceilings.
Frequently Asked Questions
* If your home builder is not familiar with contractors that install residential fire sprinklers, you still have several options.
- Look in your local Yellow Pages under "Sprinklers, Fire."
- Ask your local or state fire marshal if contractors in your state are required to be licensed. If they are, contact the state licensing board for a current list of licensed contractors.
- Contact fire sprinkler contractor associations for names of residential sprinkler contractors in your area.
- If you have a computer and like to "surf the net," an increasing number of contractors have Web pages describing their capabilities.
- Any professional fire sprinkler contractor can install these systems, but for best results look for a contractor that specializes in residential fire sprinkler systems or one that has a residential sprinkler installation unit within the company.
* What should I do if my home builder or architect has questions or says I don't need fire sprinklers?
- Most fire chiefs around the country will recommend fire sprinklers, as they have witnessed first hand their benefit to life and property safety. Some, but not all architects and builders are educated, at least partially, about residential fire sprinklers. If your builder and architect are not familiar with these systems, have them contact the organizations below for information.
- Any organization listed here: http://www.homefiresprinkler.org/index.php/home-fire-sprinkler-coalition-members
- Operation Life Safety (703-372-9815, Ext. 319)
- U.S. Fire Administration (301-447-1018)
* How long should installation take? Can other construction work continue while the sprinklers are going in?
- Again, fire sprinkler installations are like electricity, plumbing or any other operational system in your home. The total time involved will depend on the size and complexity of your home.
- Certain portions of the system (i.e. water piping) are more easily and cost-effectively installed in the earliest stages of construction, while the actual finish (i.e. installing the fire sprinkler devices, testing the system, etc.) will take place after the house is framed. Fire sprinkler systems are often completed prior to the other systems in your home, but other mechanical trades may work alongside the sprinkler contractor if necessary.
* How do I take care of my fire sprinkler system?
- A residential fire sprinkler system is basically maintenance free. The only testing required on a regular basis is opening the drain/test valve to check the alarm operation. The rest of the system is designed to operate properly for 20 years or more without any maintenance.
- Some basic precautions to safeguard your fire sprinkler system are: Avoid painting or otherwise covering the fire sprinkler devices, as that will affect their sensitivity to heat. Do not hang decorations, plants or other objects from the sprinkler or piping.
* What if my home will not be connected to a public water supply?
- Homes can be protected by automatic fire sprinklers in even the most remote areas. Several manufacturers offer self-contained water tanks to supply residential fire sprinkler systems. These tanks are designed to fit in your garage or another storage area of the home, and they hold enough water to comply with the National Fire Protection Association Standard 13D, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems in One- and Two-Family Dwellings and Manufactured Homes.
* Will my insurance premiums go up?
- No. Generally insurance rates will go down because fire sprinklers will keep damage low. Shop around; the savings vary by insurance company.
* Can I retrofit fire sprinklers into my existing home?
- Yes, watch the video here: http://www.homefiresprinkler.org/index.php/retrofitting-a-home-video
Inspecting your home sprinkler system
* Find your main drain or inspector test control valve. Controls valves must be open, or “turned on.” The control is OPEN when it is in line with the pipe. The control is CLOSED (“turned off”) when it makes a corner to the pipe. Use a padlock to keep the valve LOCKED OPEN.
* Tape the padlock key to the pipes or a wall nearby so you can find it when you need it.
* Keep the area around your water controls clear.
* Do not store anything within 1 foot of your water controls.
* If sprinkler water controls are ever “turned off,” be sure to turn them back on.
* The water needs to be turned on so the sprinklers can work to protect you from a fire.
To find out more information about home sprinkler systems, visit the
Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition Protect What You Value Most
Home Sprinkler Facts
* More than 4,000 people die in fires each year. Sprinklers save lives, reduce property loss, and can even cut costs on home owner insurance.
* Home fire sprinklers can contain and possibly extinguish a fire in less time than it would take the fire company to arrive on scene. The fire company would still have to come and make sure the fire was fully extinguished and there was no extinguish.
* Installing both smoke alarms and fire sprinkler systems reduce the risk of death in a house fire by 82%, relative to having neither.
* Only the sprinkler closest to the fire will activate, spraying water directly on the fire. 90% of fires are contained by just one sprinkler.
* Nationally, on average, a home sprinkler system costs $1.35 per square foot of sprinkled space in new construction.
* Home sprinklers use only a fraction of water used by a fire hose.
* Home fire sprinkler systems are at least as reliable as home plumbing systems.
* Modern home sprinklers are inconspicuous and can be mounted flush to walls or ceilings.
Frequently Asked Questions
* If your home builder is not familiar with contractors that install residential fire sprinklers, you still have several options.
- Look in your local Yellow Pages under "Sprinklers, Fire."
- Ask your local or state fire marshal if contractors in your state are required to be licensed. If they are, contact the state licensing board for a current list of licensed contractors.
- Contact fire sprinkler contractor associations for names of residential sprinkler contractors in your area.
- If you have a computer and like to "surf the net," an increasing number of contractors have Web pages describing their capabilities.
- Any professional fire sprinkler contractor can install these systems, but for best results look for a contractor that specializes in residential fire sprinkler systems or one that has a residential sprinkler installation unit within the company.
* What should I do if my home builder or architect has questions or says I don't need fire sprinklers?
- Most fire chiefs around the country will recommend fire sprinklers, as they have witnessed first hand their benefit to life and property safety. Some, but not all architects and builders are educated, at least partially, about residential fire sprinklers. If your builder and architect are not familiar with these systems, have them contact the organizations below for information.
- Any organization listed here: http://www.homefiresprinkler.org/index.php/home-fire-sprinkler-coalition-members
- Operation Life Safety (703-372-9815, Ext. 319)
- U.S. Fire Administration (301-447-1018)
* How long should installation take? Can other construction work continue while the sprinklers are going in?
- Again, fire sprinkler installations are like electricity, plumbing or any other operational system in your home. The total time involved will depend on the size and complexity of your home.
- Certain portions of the system (i.e. water piping) are more easily and cost-effectively installed in the earliest stages of construction, while the actual finish (i.e. installing the fire sprinkler devices, testing the system, etc.) will take place after the house is framed. Fire sprinkler systems are often completed prior to the other systems in your home, but other mechanical trades may work alongside the sprinkler contractor if necessary.
* How do I take care of my fire sprinkler system?
- A residential fire sprinkler system is basically maintenance free. The only testing required on a regular basis is opening the drain/test valve to check the alarm operation. The rest of the system is designed to operate properly for 20 years or more without any maintenance.
- Some basic precautions to safeguard your fire sprinkler system are: Avoid painting or otherwise covering the fire sprinkler devices, as that will affect their sensitivity to heat. Do not hang decorations, plants or other objects from the sprinkler or piping.
* What if my home will not be connected to a public water supply?
- Homes can be protected by automatic fire sprinklers in even the most remote areas. Several manufacturers offer self-contained water tanks to supply residential fire sprinkler systems. These tanks are designed to fit in your garage or another storage area of the home, and they hold enough water to comply with the National Fire Protection Association Standard 13D, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems in One- and Two-Family Dwellings and Manufactured Homes.
* Will my insurance premiums go up?
- No. Generally insurance rates will go down because fire sprinklers will keep damage low. Shop around; the savings vary by insurance company.
* Can I retrofit fire sprinklers into my existing home?
- Yes, watch the video here: http://www.homefiresprinkler.org/index.php/retrofitting-a-home-video
Inspecting your home sprinkler system
* Find your main drain or inspector test control valve. Controls valves must be open, or “turned on.” The control is OPEN when it is in line with the pipe. The control is CLOSED (“turned off”) when it makes a corner to the pipe. Use a padlock to keep the valve LOCKED OPEN.
* Tape the padlock key to the pipes or a wall nearby so you can find it when you need it.
* Keep the area around your water controls clear.
* Do not store anything within 1 foot of your water controls.
* If sprinkler water controls are ever “turned off,” be sure to turn them back on.
* The water needs to be turned on so the sprinklers can work to protect you from a fire.
To find out more information about home sprinkler systems, visit the
Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition Protect What You Value Most
Watch how a Home Fire Sprinkler Activates.