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 and 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.
Let’s check out 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. You are more likely to develop a plumbing system leak than a sprinkler leak.
- Myth 3: Fire sprinklers are big, bulky, and too ugly to install in a building.
- Fact: Sprinklers can be hidden above ceilings, in soffits, or painted to match surrounding finishes (let the experts do the painting).
- Fact: Sprinklers can be hidden above ceilings, in soffits, or painted to match surrounding finishes (let the experts do the painting).
Taking a closer look at 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 use less water than fire hoses, therefore reducing the amount of property damage caused by water in case of a fire.
- Installing fire sprinklers can provide discounts on insurance premiums.
- Fire sprinklers are very low maintenance.
Stay safe, get in touch with the experts you can trust. We are licensed, insured, and widely recognized as a leader in fire protection and security. Call our experts today for information and estimates to help protect your business at (888) 229-4146. Don’t wait around to get the protection you need. Get ahold of the fire protection experts at Summit Fire & Security today!