Home Fire Sprinkler Systems/ Home Fire Sprinklers
It is sad that home fires in the US account for more than a quarter of all reported fires and accounting for over 80% of fire deaths, and billions in property damages. The cause of these home fires is mainly from electrical lighting and distribution equipment, heating, cooking, smoking materials, or even intentional fire setting. 50% of the home fires start right in the kitchen. This raises the need to have structural measures in place that can help curb such fires.
Installing smoke and fire detectors in your home is a life-saving strategy, as a correctly installed one can cut down the fire risks by 80%. In case of a fire breakout, a home fire sprinkler reacts quickly, reducing heat, flames, and smoke drastically, and helping you protect your home and your loved ones.
A home sprinkler system is fitted with an alert system, that one can connect with your home’s security system. The alarm bell can also be installed outside your house; in a way, it can alert your neighbors even in your absence. Some advanced sprinkler systems can alert your local fire department once activated.
Facts about Home Fire Sprinklers
- The home fire sprinkler systems are sophisticated, designed to detect heat with high sensitivity. They only activate when the temperatures in the room rise to fire-induced levels of between 115 to 165 degrees.
- A properly installed and maintained automated fire sprinkler can control and extinguish fires faster than it can take the fire extinguishers to get to the scene. It is a reliable investment.
- A sprinkler going off does not automatically set all the others off. Only that sprinkler that is close to the fire gets activated and sprays water into the fire.
- Do not worry about having the sprinklers popping out in the room and messing up the décor theme. The home sprinklers come in different colours and décor-friendly discs that can easily blend in with your décor theme and ceiling.
- The high-pressure hose lines of firefighters put out the flames fasters, which can cause more damage to your property. This is not the case with the sprinklers.
- It is easy to install fire sprinklers in your home, which can either be done at the construction stage, or while remodelling.
- Home sprinklers do not require as much water as the business or industrial fire systems do. They can, therefore, be connected to your home water supply.
- A sprinkler system that meets insurance code requirements can reduce your home insurance rates by 15%.
- Injuries to firefighters were reduced by 80% in properties with water sprinklers.
- Home sprinklers offer both home protection and environmental sustainability.
Types of Home Fire Sprinklers Systems
- Stand-Alone Sprinkler System-This system uses its piping, with flexible tubing that is either made of copper or plastic. The system might require a back-flow device, with an adequate supply of water a necessity. If the water supply is from a well, it is advisable to have a storage tank and a pump installed.
Having a piping system that cannot corrode in your stand-alone system would be ideal, as the system is susceptible to stagnation as it does not circulate. You can remodel the system and install it in a ready structure.
- Multi-use sprinkler system- This system shares its piping with the home’s plumbing. This system is specifically engineered for the home and is installed at the construction phase. The system does not have stagnant water as the water moves through the entire system every time water runs in your home. It is very hard to remodel or expand this type of sprinkler system.
Residential Sprinkler Installation
It is advisable to have specialized sprinkler installers do the installation work for you. However, some security and plumbing contractors incorporate sprinkler installation works too. Installing the system while working on your new construction is the best way for you to do it.
The time it takes to install a fire sprinkler varies depending on the size of the house, and the permitting process of the area you are in. Most places will have the permitting process take 30 to 50 days, and a further seven to 10 days to complete the installation process.
A stand-alone sprinkler system costs per square foot will range between $1.00 to $1.25, while a retrofit system cost ranges between $5 to $6.
Q&A
- Does the installation of fire sprinklers eliminate the need to have local firefighters?
No, fire sprinklers do not replace firefighters. Properly installed fire sprinklers make it safer for both the firefighters and the residents, but the fire service will still be needed. Home fires might originate in areas that are not covered by sprinklers, or sometimes the sprinklers might malfunction, or even the sprinkler works but fails to put out all the fires. Under such circumstances, the firefighters will have to come in and extinguish the fire.
- Can one contract a plumber to install a sprinkler system?
Laws on who qualifies to install a fire sprinkler system vary from one jurisdiction to another, but most have not specific on the professional qualifications. However, some of the fire sprinkler systems components tend to be specialized, and only a person with a good knowledge of matters fire protection. A plumber can, therefore, install a residential sprinkler system, but they will require to be knowledgeable about fire protection, and have fire sprinkler system certification.
- Is it advisable to have the domestic and the fire sprinkler system lines separate?
NFPA 13D provisions allow one to have the fire sprinkler system as a stand-alone. However, the ideal arrangement is one that combines both the domestic and the sprinkler lines. That way, it is easier for you to be aware of your water status.
The system can be set in such a way that when the fire sprinkler system gets shut off, domestic water flow cuts off too. The inconvenience of lack of water flow in the homes will see to it that the water supply problem gets sorted in the soonest time possible.