NEWS & INFO
Fire Sprinklers - Myths vs Facts
Automatic Fire Sprinklers have been for around for over 100 years and were typically utilized in higher hazard occupancies to provide an early automatic response to a fire. However, they are increasingly being introduced in new residential construction and through retrofit of older buildings which serve vulnerable occupancies such as retirement homes or care homes. Automatic sprinklers are proven to add a higher level of fire protection and provide active measures for fire control when passive measures are insufficient.
That said, fire sprinklers are not a common household item and many occupants, even individuals within the engineering and construction industry, have some knowledge base formed on fact and some myths. Here is a list of some of the most common misconceptions:
Myth: “Fire activates all the sprinklers at the same time causing extensive water damage”
Fact: Only the sprinkler affected by the direct heat of a fire within a room operates. Individual sprinklers utilize heat sensitive elements to activate at a set temperature which is only experienced during a real fire situation; smoking, normal use of cooking equipment or heaters does not trigger sprinklers.
Myth: “Water damage from sprinkler operation is worse than fire damage”
Fact: Sprinkler systems are designed to discharge a relatively small amount of water. Most fires which are not protected with sprinklers grow significantly in size and by the time fire responders reach the incident, their efforts must use a much larger amount of water to contain the fire that has grown and spread into various areas of a room or a suite. Sprinklers activate at an early stage of fire growth and prevents development of fire by containing it locally. In turn, severity of water damage from fire sprinklers is significantly lower than the damage caused by fire-fighting hose or smoke and fire damage if fire is unabated.
Myth: “A smoke Alarm offers adequate protection on its own”
Fact: Smoke alarms save occupants by providing early warning of a fire occurrence to allow them to start the evacuation process. In some instances, a small fire can be controlled by occupants before a sprinkler is heated to its operating temperature. However, when a fire becomes deep seated or grows beyond what an occupant can do, sprinklers offer a reliable way to immediately combat that fire and control it.
Myth: “Sprinkler Systems are unattractive”
Fact: The sprinkler industry has grown tremendously in the past 20 years to accommodate the needs and tastes of designers and architects. Many options exist for fully concealed sprinklers, color matched sprinkler covers and various methods to blend in architectural décor features of the building. In areas with open ceilings, sprinkler pipe can be painted to match the color of structure above, similar to pipes for building utilities.
Myth: “Sprinkler Systems are expensive to install and maintain”
Fact: This is typically a statement of priority. We hardly hesitate when it comes to buying an appliance for our home or any sort of comfort and luxury. Sprinkler systems typically cost less than 1% as compared to total building cost, which in most cases is offset by reduced insurance premiums due to the sprinkler protection. Finally, the intangible in a cost-benefit analysis is the true ability of saving lives, minimizing fire damage and limiting business disruptions.
Myth: “Sprinkler system trigger false alarm all the time”
Fact: The odds of fire alarm activation by sprinkler system is rare and the degree of protection sprinklers can provide is unmatched. However, engineered and appropriately maintained sprinkler system evades the problem of false alarm. Also, tested and maintained sprinkler system avoid accidental operation of a sprinkler system.
At Fire Cube, our team of professionals, consultants and engineers have the expertise to find an efficient solution for your fire protection needs. We assist in project design, specifications, tendering, permitting and contract management, ensuring the process is overseen and our client’s interests are best served.
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Disclaimer- The information contained herein shall not be used as a comprehensive or complete guide for evaluating, designing, constructing or commissioning life and fire safety systems.
That said, fire sprinklers are not a common household item and many occupants, even individuals within the engineering and construction industry, have some knowledge base formed on fact and some myths. Here is a list of some of the most common misconceptions:
Myth: “Fire activates all the sprinklers at the same time causing extensive water damage”
Fact: Only the sprinkler affected by the direct heat of a fire within a room operates. Individual sprinklers utilize heat sensitive elements to activate at a set temperature which is only experienced during a real fire situation; smoking, normal use of cooking equipment or heaters does not trigger sprinklers.
Myth: “Water damage from sprinkler operation is worse than fire damage”
Fact: Sprinkler systems are designed to discharge a relatively small amount of water. Most fires which are not protected with sprinklers grow significantly in size and by the time fire responders reach the incident, their efforts must use a much larger amount of water to contain the fire that has grown and spread into various areas of a room or a suite. Sprinklers activate at an early stage of fire growth and prevents development of fire by containing it locally. In turn, severity of water damage from fire sprinklers is significantly lower than the damage caused by fire-fighting hose or smoke and fire damage if fire is unabated.
Myth: “A smoke Alarm offers adequate protection on its own”
Fact: Smoke alarms save occupants by providing early warning of a fire occurrence to allow them to start the evacuation process. In some instances, a small fire can be controlled by occupants before a sprinkler is heated to its operating temperature. However, when a fire becomes deep seated or grows beyond what an occupant can do, sprinklers offer a reliable way to immediately combat that fire and control it.
Myth: “Sprinkler Systems are unattractive”
Fact: The sprinkler industry has grown tremendously in the past 20 years to accommodate the needs and tastes of designers and architects. Many options exist for fully concealed sprinklers, color matched sprinkler covers and various methods to blend in architectural décor features of the building. In areas with open ceilings, sprinkler pipe can be painted to match the color of structure above, similar to pipes for building utilities.
Myth: “Sprinkler Systems are expensive to install and maintain”
Fact: This is typically a statement of priority. We hardly hesitate when it comes to buying an appliance for our home or any sort of comfort and luxury. Sprinkler systems typically cost less than 1% as compared to total building cost, which in most cases is offset by reduced insurance premiums due to the sprinkler protection. Finally, the intangible in a cost-benefit analysis is the true ability of saving lives, minimizing fire damage and limiting business disruptions.
Myth: “Sprinkler system trigger false alarm all the time”
Fact: The odds of fire alarm activation by sprinkler system is rare and the degree of protection sprinklers can provide is unmatched. However, engineered and appropriately maintained sprinkler system evades the problem of false alarm. Also, tested and maintained sprinkler system avoid accidental operation of a sprinkler system.
At Fire Cube, our team of professionals, consultants and engineers have the expertise to find an efficient solution for your fire protection needs. We assist in project design, specifications, tendering, permitting and contract management, ensuring the process is overseen and our client’s interests are best served.
–
Disclaimer- The information contained herein shall not be used as a comprehensive or complete guide for evaluating, designing, constructing or commissioning life and fire safety systems.