With Residential installation of fire sprinkler systems gaining in popularity and becoming one of the fastest growing segments of the fire sprinkler market, the National Fire Sprinkler Association decided to publish this informational guide to answer many of the questions asked most often by the consumer: It is intended to educate the new homeowner who has purchased a home with an existing fire sprinkler system and those who have built, or are building, a home that will have a new fire sprinkler system installed.
Ø What is a 13D system?
If your new house has a fire sprinkler system installed, chances are it is a 13D type system. 13D is the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) standard for the installation of fire sprinkler systems in one and two family dwellings and mobile homes. The standard was adopted by the NFPA in 1975 with periodic reviews and updates to allow for new technological breakthroughs.
To make fire sprinkler systems economically practical for dwellings, NFPA 13D permits omission of sprinklers from certain building areas where NFPA 13 (the standard for commercial occupancies) would require sprinklers. NFPA 13D also permits 2- sprinkler design areas so as to accommodate limited domestic water supplies. This means that the water supply only needs to be able to handle two sprinklers flowing water simultaneously among the total number of sprinklers in the building.
Ø How do sprinklers operate?
Fire sprinklers are individually heat-activated and connected to a network of piping with water under pressure. When the heat of a fire raises the sprinkler to its operating temperature, usually between 165-175ºF, a fusible link or glass bulb will activate only that sprinkler over the fire, thereby releasing water only directly over the source of heat.
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Ø Why are sprinklers so effective?
The key to keeping a fire from reaching potentially dangerous and life-threatening proportions is early detection. Fire sprinklers operate automatically over the fire origin, even if you're not home, releasing water directly over the source of heat while simultaneously sounding an alarm.
Fire sprinklers keep fires small. In most cases, fires are controlled with one or two sprinklers.
Ø How reliable will sprinklers be in your home?
Fire sprinklers may be the most reliable fire protection system known. Of course, no one can guarantee you won't have a fire in your home, but if it has a fire sprinkler system installed, we can offer you these facts. In Australia and New Zealand (where fires must be reported) from 1886 to 1986, 99.7% of all fires in sprinklered buildings were controlled by the sprinklers. Although fire records in this country are less dependable, mostly due to the lack of reporting small fires in which sprinklers were successful, the NFPA reports a 96.2% success record for the years 1925 through 1969.
Ø Do sprinklers go off accidentally?
It is possible for a sprinkler to discharge accidentally but it rarely happens. In fact, if a sprinkler is not subjected to freezing, overheating, or mechanical damage, loss records show that only 1 in 16,000,000 sprinklers per year will open accidentally.
Ø What about sprinkler aesthetics?
Sprinklers are no longer the "ugly things hanging from the ceiling." Due to advances in sprinkler technology, sprinklers look better than ever, if you can see them at all. Sprinklers can be concealed in ceilings out of sight until needed to extinguish a fire. They are available in a wide range of sizes and colors to blend into the background of almost any room.
Ø What about water damage?
Water damage due to sprinkler activation is often grossly exaggerated due to comparisons made to small fire losses thanks to the sprinklers.
Actually, the water discharged by the fire department is typically ten to hundreds of times greater than that discharged from the sprinklers. During a fire only the sprinkler(s) closest to the fire are activated limiting the total amount of water needed to suppress a fire.
Ø What are the benefits?
Aside from the obvious property and life saving benefits, many insurance companies offer discounts to homeowners that have homes with fire sprinkler systems installed. The discount recommended by the Insurance Services Offices in most states is 13% for a 13D system, and an additional 2% if smoke detectors are also provided. This discount is from the total homeowners premium, not just the fire portion. Although no specific data is available, a fire sprinkler system should also increase the resale value of your home. At the very least it will be an added benefit to the prospective buyer.
Ø For More Information, Contact:
National Fire Sprinkler Association, Inc. Robin Hill Corporate Park - Route 22 P.O. Box 1000 - Patterson, NY 12563 Telephone: (914) 878-4200 Fax: (914) 878-4215
Ø Do's and Don'ts For Your Residential Fire Sprinkler System
Do:
1. Test your system monthly. (If your system is monitored by a fire service agency, be sure to notify them before testing the system. This will prevent sending a false alarm.) Open the test valve and listen for an alarm bell. Once the alarm sounds, turn off the valve. If alarm bell does not sound, contact a qualified fire sprinkler contractor.
2. Know the location of the system shutoff valve. Be sure all other adult occupants are aware of its location.
3. Make certain the system control valve is open at all times.
4. Have your system extended if your home is enlarged or remodeled. Contact a licensed fire sprinkler contractor Submit plans to the local fire department or fire prevention division as required to secure a permit.
5. Contact the fire department when any activation occurs, even if the fire has apparently been extinguished.
Don't:
1 Don't paint the sprinklers.
2. Don't damage the sprinklers.
3. Don't hang objects from the sprinklers.
4. Don't obstruct the sprinklers.
5. Don't cover the sprinklers.
6. Don't remove the sprinklers.
7. Don't turn off or disconnect the system.
8. Don't shut off the system in the event of a fire.
In the event of a fire, be calm and leave your home immediately. Call the fire department from a neighbor's house.