Automatic Fire Sprinklers For Peace of Mind
As responsible homeowners we all know we need to fit smoke detectors so that fires can be detected in its early stages. That alone will greatly increase the chance of a safe escape, should the need arise. But since I started my new job in an industrial warehouse I realized that there is more to fire prevention than smoke detectors. Fire extinguishers and a house that is up to building codes all help but then I noticed that my work place, and all other similar buildings had something extra that could mean the difference between life and death in a fire and that is automatic fire sprinklers.
They have been standard equipment in most warehouses, factories and offices for many years now but are not seem that often in the residential market. The way automatic fire sprinklers work is very simple. When then detect heavy smoke in a room, the sprinklers in the ceiling get set off causing a substantial amount of water to rain down. This deluge will put out a fire in its early stages, or will slow one that is more advanced.
One of the drawbacks, which makes them problematic for the household environment, however, is so much water can cause a lot of damage. Clothing, books, carpets, walls can be ruined and mildew growth stimulated by the soaking.
Although an automatic fire sprinkler system can be expensive and cannot absolutely eliminate the chance of a fire it may be worth considering for peace of mind.
It would be a good idea to get your information straight before putting it out there as though it were fact.
Smoke does not set off fire sprinklers!!! Heat sets off fire sprinklers. Only the fire sprinkler(s) that sense the significant heat of a fire will operate.
According to statistics, In the vast majority of cases, only one sprinkler, typically the one closest to the fire, will operate to control a residential fire. Residential sprinklers put out as little as 9 gpm and are typically designed to put out 13 gpm. Compare this to the gpm put out by a single fire hose.
A fire sprinkler will act immediately upon sensing a fire situation. When the system is tied to an automatic dialer, it will notify a Central Alarm Station which will dispatch the fire department. It is not dependent on a phone call to 911 from a neighbor or passerby.
A residential fire sprinkler system will provide time for children, the elderly and other incapacitated persons to get out of the house. It will give pets an opportunity to survive. It will prevent everything you own and cherish from going up in smoke. Insurance can only replace dollars.
It is naive to believe that an appropriate level of fire protection for a community will be able to be provided by a fire service that is constantly pressured on funding at the same time it is given added responsibilities for Homeland Security, Hazmat response and EMT services. Fixed fire protection, such as fire sprinkler systems, is paid for once and does not escalate over time.
When installed during initial construction, fire sprinklers are not expensive. An installation by a motivated professional will cost approximately $1.50/sq ft, less than the cost of carpet. Unlike carpet, it won’t wear out and it may qualify you for insurance discounts, thereby ultimately paying for itself.
Try going to http://www.homefiresprinkler.org for more facts.
Thanks for the informative comments and the useful link.