Automatic fire sprinklers have been used 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. Fire can become deadly in three minutes, making the elderly and disabled particularly at risk of injury or death. Fire sprinklers allow them more time to evacuate. Sprinklers reduce the average property loss by 71% per fire.
In some popular movies, a character may escape a bad situation by putting a flame under a single sprinkler head, and the flame would ignite the entire fire sprinkler system in the room or a building. This is pure fiction. In the real world, when one fire sprinkler head goes off due to a flame under it, the entire sprinkler system does NOT activate. Sprinklers react to temperature in individual rooms. Only the fire sprinkler nearest the fire will activate. Fire sprinklers do not go off all at the same time, no matter what you see in the movies.
Here are some of the other myths about fire sprinklers and the facts:
Myth 1: Smoke can set off fire sprinklers. Fact: Only high heat can set them off.
Myth 2: Fire sprinklers often leak or activate accidentally. Fact: Sprinklers accidentally going off are extremely rare.
Myth 3: Fire sprinklers are big, bulky, and too ugly to install in a building. Fact: They can be made invisible.
Here are some surprising facts about fire sprinklers:
Fire sprinklers can limit damage to a single room.
Fire sprinklers can save lives by dramatically reducing the heat, flames, and smoke produced in a fire.
Sprinklers save water because they use a lot less water than fire hoses.
Installing fire sprinklers can provide discounts on insurance premiums.
Fire sprinklers are very low maintenance.
Stay safe, and if you have questions about your sprinkler system, we are here to help.
Automatic sprinkler systems are often considered the most significant component of a building fire protection strategy. When properly designed, installed and maintained, an automatic sprinkler system can control a fire and significantly reduce deaths, injuries and property damage. However, sprinkler systems have their limitations, and their performance can be affected by factors not linked to the initial design or installation of the sprinkler system. This article explores automatic sprinkler system failure data to identify and discuss causes of unsatisfactory sprinkler performance.
Historical fire losses provide experiences that shape current fire
protection design methodologies, design criteria and defense strategies.
Significant lessons learned have been extracted from post-fire investigations
of major losses of life and/or property despite protection by an automatic
sprinkler system. These post-fire loss investigations revealed not only the
cause of the fires but causes associated with unsatisfactory sprinkler system
performance. Unsatisfactory performance includes failure to operate, as well as
ineffectiveness to control a fire and limit damages to life and property.
Generally, sprinkler systems are considered reliable and effective when
properly designed, installed and maintained. Research shows that in most cases,
when sprinklers are functional, they are successful in containing a fire.
Make sure your sprinklers are ready when they are called upon by partnering with Protegis Fire & Safety.
Earlier this week, we covered some myths and facts about fire sprinklers. Here are some more interesting facts about fire sprinkler systems.
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.
When one fire sprinkler head goes off to fight a fire the entire sprinkler system does NOT activate. Sprinklers react to temperature in individual rooms. Fire sprinklers do not set off all at the same time, no matter what you see in the movies.
The chances of a fire sprinkler accidentally going off are extremely remote.
Installations of fire sprinklers can provide discounts on insurance premiums.
Sprinklers save water since they use a lot less water than fire hoses.
Fire can become deadly in three minutes.
Fire sprinklers can keep damage to a single room.
Fire sprinklers can save lives by dramatically reducing the heat, flames and smoke produced in a fire.
Smoke cannot set off a fire sprinklers.
The elderly and the disabled are the most at risk of injury or death, fire sprinklers allow them time to evacuate.
Only the fire sprinkler nearest the fire will activate.
Fire sprinklers are very low maintenance.
Don’t paint the fire sprinklers you might cause them to not work properly.
Home sprinklers are smaller than commercial and industrial sprinklers.
Sprinklers reduce the average property loss by 71% per fire.
Sprinklers are affordable.
For more information about how you can get your building protected with a sprinkler system, contact Protegis Fire & Safety.
Now is a great time to review your property’s life safety system’s inspections!
Property management comes with great responsibility. One of those responsibilities is fire safety, and remaining educated about the fire protection systems in your facility. Some of the most common mistakes arise when your systems are not tested and inspected according to NFPA standards and/or your local AHJ (Authority Having Jurisdiction).
When properly maintained and inspected, fire protection systems are among the most reliable means to ensure the safety of your building and everyone in it. Trusting that your systems will optimally perform in the event of an emergency depends upon the quality of the service and inspections performed on them. When you work with Protegis Fire & Safety, you get the full-scale capability of one of the most established and experienced fire protection companies in the United States.
Review our Test & Inspect Chart, to verify that your systems are being tested and inspected properly!
