Should I Install A Home Fire Sprinkler System?

7/24/2017 (Permalink)

Should I Install A Home Fire Sprinkler System?

A home fire sprinkler system is not required in most residential builds, nor are they very common even though they can save lives and minimize fire damage to a property. It is a personal decision whether or not you install one in your own home. Here, we look at the benefits of installing a home fire sprinkler system, as well as dispel some fire sprinkler myths.

Why Install a Home Fire Sprinkler System?

A home fire sprinkler system is the first line of defense against home fires. Their sole purpose is to contain and extinguish a fire before it spreads and gets out of fire. Installing a sprinkler system in your home is one of the best ways to protect your family and your property from unexpected blazes.

All fire sprinklers trigger based on heat. Once the sensor built in to the sprinkler head reaches a certain temperature, it triggers and showers the area with water.

Home Value, Insurance, and Taxes

Fire sprinklers are so common in offices and public spaces that you may not even think about it. Many new apartments even have fire sprinkler systems. This raises the question: why aren’t fire sprinklers common in homes?

Cost is a big factor in most cases. A home fire sprinkler system is a long-term investment. In addition to the initial installation, there are several other financial impacts to take into consideration.

• Home fire sprinkler systems may affect insurance premiums, depending on your carrier. Check with your insurance company to find out their policies and rates before you set an installation date.
• Your home taxes may change, depending on where you live. Check with your local government to learn how much your taxes could change.
• Your home value may change. If you are considering installing a home fire sprinkler system, or if you are in the market for a home which already comes installed with one, speak with your realtor for the most up-to-date market advice.

If you’re only planning to be in a house for a few years, then it may not be the right choice for you. But if you intend to keep your home for many years, the added level of safety may be worthwhile.

Aren’t Smoke Alarms Enough?

Smoke alarms are a great first alert system – as long as batteries are installed and kept up-to-date. However, they only alert you to the presence of a fire. They do not stop fires before they have spread, or do anything to put the fire out before you or your family are in danger.

Depending on how quickly the fire spreads, you may or may not have time to evacuate the home. It is important for you to have a home evacuation plan which accounts for blocked exits and upper floor rooms.

Aren’t Home Sprinklers a Giant Accident Waiting to Happen?

Although fire sprinklers are great for preventing home fires from harming your family or your property, you may be worried that the same system could lead to water damage in your home.

Your home is full of water pipes, and the pipes used in home sprinklers are no different. In fact, they are usually installed in the same areas that the rest of your pipes are contained. This means that during the winter, you’re already going to be keeping an eye on any problem areas to prevent frozen pipes, and won’t have to do any additional work.

Fire sprinkler water pipes are held to the same build standards as the rest of your home plumbing system. That said, they will need added inspections throughout the year to monitor aging pipes, weak spots, and prevent ruptures and leaks.

You may also be worried that a sprinkler head might trigger accidentally, or worse, without a reason at all. Sprinkler head failures are incredibly rare, with instances of 1 in 1000.

Won’t Fire Sprinklers Ruin My Home When Triggered?

Unlike what you see in Hollywood, a fire in one room does not trigger all of the fire sprinklers in the house. Fire sprinklers are designed to respond only in the area the fire is located. This design minimizes damage to the home by using water only on the affected area. You don’t have to worry about a flood of water throughout the house!

In fact, fire sprinklers are very efficient. They use considerably fewer gallons of water per minute than fire hoses, averaging at 13 – 18 gallons per minute versus 250 gallons per minute.

The Bottom Line

In the end, whether or not a home fire sprinkler system is right for you is a personal choice, and you’ll need to weigh all factors during consideration. If your home experiences fire or water damage, remember that SERVPRO of Oldham/Shelby is here and ready to help restore your home back to its original condition.