Automatic fire sprinklers have been in use in the U.S. since 1874.
Fire sprinklers are widely recognized as the single most effective method for fighting the spread of fires in their early stages – before they can cause severe injury to people and damage to property.
When one fire sprinkler head goes off to fight a fire the entire sprinkler system does NOT activate. Sprinklers react to temperatures in individual rooms.
The chances of a fire sprinkler accidentally going off are extremely remote.
Installation of fire sprinklers can provide discounts on insurance premiums.
The installation of fire sprinklers in new residential construction is estimated to make up around 1% of the total building cost. (Similar to the cost of new carpet)
Only the sprinkler closest to the fire will activate, spraying water directly on the fire. Ninety percent of fires are contained by the operation of just one sprinkler.
Smoke cannot activate a fire sprinkler.
New homes burn eight times faster than older homes, leaving families less time to get out alive. Seconds count all the more during a house fire because of a drastic decrease in the time a family has to safely escape. Fire sprinklers provide valuable time to escape a fire. The National Fire Academy (NFA), the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) and the U.S. Fire Administration (UFSA) all recommend fire sprinkler systems for new residential construction.
According to the non-profit Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition, the average fire loss in a house with a sprinkler system is $2,166 as opposed to $45,019 in a home without the protection. Sprinkler systems reduce fire damage by up to 97 percent.
For those who are concerned about the environment, consider this: sprinklers reduce the amount of water used to fight a fire by up to 90 percent as well as water and air pollution generated by a fire.
Fire sprinklers fit most any decor and can be very unobtrusive. Newer fire sprinkler models can be mounted flush with walls or ceilings, or concealed behind decorative covers.