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If one sprinkler goes off, do they all go off?
Sprinklers activate independently, only the sprinkler(s) closest to the fire will activate. In 90% of home fires, only one sprinkler is needed to contain the fire.
If I burn the toast, will the sprinkler activate?
Fire sprinklers do not respond to smoke; they respond to the high temperature of a fire - about 135 to 165 degrees F. Smoke caused by cooking or cigarettes cannot and will not cause a sprinkler to activate.
Will my sprinklers leak?
Sprinkler mishaps are generally less likely and less severe than home plumbing system problems. Research has demonstrated that only 1 in 16 million sprinkler heads ever activates by accident. The entire fire sprinkler system is pressure tested at 200 psi. Most home plumbing systems are pressure tested at 80 - 100 psi.
Is post-fire damage from sprinklers worse than fire damage would be without sprinklers?
Fire damage and water from high-pressure fire hoses is far greater. A residential sprinkler flows 10 - 26 gallons of water per minute, for approximately 10 minutes (or less if the fire department turns the water off sooner). An uncontrolled fire will cause far greater fire destruction and smoke damage, requiring a tremendous amount of water from fire department hoses at 50 to 125 gallons per minute. The property loss in a sprinklered home fire is typically only a fraction of the loss in an unsprinklered home fire.
Won't the fire department be able to put out the fire and save my things?
A 9 to 12 minute fire department response time is considred good in most communities. In that time, an uncontrolled fire will have grown and spread through the home, causing tremendous smoke and fire damage before the fire department can get there.
Will my sprinklers freeze in the winter?
Freezing is not a problem with proper installation. The national sprinkler installation standard provides guidance for proper installation in cold regions, including additional insulation over the pipes. Sidewall sprinkler heads are also available. Sidewall sprinkler piping is placed in the interior walls to prevent exposure to cold attics, eliminating the concern for freezing.
Since I have smoke alarms, why do I need fire sprinklers?
Smoke alarms are essential in every home, but they can only detect a fire. To be effective, residents must be willing and able to respond very quickly to the alarm. Too often, battery-operated smoke alarms fail to function because the batteries are dead or have been removed. As the percent of homes in America that were "protected" with smoke alarms increased from zero to more than 70%, the number of fire deaths in homes did not significantly decrease. Fire sprinklers detect the fire and automatically control or extinguish it, paving the way for residents to make a safe escape - and also protecting property and valuables. The best protection from fire is having both smoke alarms and a fire sprinkler system.
Are sprinklers allowed by my homeowner's insurance?
Most insurance companies provide financial incentives to encourage homeowners to protect their homes from fire loss. Research shows that fire sprinkler discounts range from 4% to 20% off homeowner policy premiums. Insurance rates and discounts vary by state. Check with your insurer and shop around for the best discount.
Will fire sprinklers ruin my decor?
Residential fire sprinklers are actually smaller than most recessed lighting. Unlike sprinklers in warehouses and public buildings, residential sprinklers are designed to blend into ceiling and wall paint and can be completely concealed beneath plates.
Are fire sprinklers difficult to maintain?
No maintenance is needed. Regular flow tests should be conducted and homeowners can do these simple tests themselves or have a sprinkler contractor do it every year or so. It's a good idea to check sprinkler heads occasionally to be sure nothing is obstructing potential water spray pattern. Water valves should be routinely checked or kept padlocked in the "turned on" position.
Reprinted from Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition, www.HomeFireSprinkler.org
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