Contrary to popular belief, fire sprinkler systems are not just a product of the modern age. They’ve actually been around for longer than you may realize. In fact, the first system was built over 120 years ago. Frederick Grinnell received his first automatic fire sprinkler patent as far back as 1881.
With this long history, many popular myths and common misconceptions about fire sprinkler systems have had years to proliferate.
Does your business have a fire sprinkler system? In the case of a fire, you should fully understand how your sprinkler system works. Read on to learn from an industry leader about what’s myth and what’s fact.
Myth: Water Damage from Sprinklers is Extensive.
What some people fail to realize is that any water damage you may get from fire sprinklers will be much less severe than the potential damage caused by the fire itself. Smoke and fire damage will spread quickly and will cause devastating loss if not taken care of efficiently and effectively. Water from a sprinkler system will be much more contained than the unpredictable and escalatory nature of smoke and fire.
Think about the alternative: the water that a firefighter’s hose would produce. It’s important to remember that a hose will expel far greater quantities of water that will ultimately lead to even more water damage within your property.
We can guarantee that the water produced by a sprinkler will do far less damage than an average firehose.
Myth: When One Goes Off, They All Go Off.
This is one of the most common misconceptions about fire sprinklers.
The fact is that sprinkler heads are individually activated by temperature. This means that residential fires can be often be controlled by one sprinkler head, and 90% of all fires are controlled with six or fewer heads. When a fire begins, the individual head or section of your fire sprinkler system closest to it will be the one to respond. Unlike you may have seen on television or in the movies, smoke does not necessarily activate an entire facility’s sprinkler network.
Very rarely when a fire occurs does every sprinkler go off. The size and speed of the fire will determine whether or not this happens, but more often than not, a fire can be put out before it reaches this extreme stage. Remember: the idea behind fire sprinklers is to contain and extinguish the fire as quickly as possible with minimum damage to the structure.
Myth: Smoke Detectors Are Enough.
Yes, it’s true: smoke detectors are essential. After all, they provide an early warning to smoke. But remember, they don’t do anything when it comes to extinguishing a fire.
Often it can be hard for elderly people or children to escape a fire. It’s crucial that you have a line of defense to offer you or others time to evacuate before serious harm from the flames or smoke inhalation. Fire sprinklers help contain the fire and allow more time for those inside to escape.
And let’s not overlook the fact that most smoke detectors are not cared for properly. More often than not, their batteries are worn out or detectors are old and outdated (if they’re even used at all). Some property owners take exception to the lights or sounds of a smoke detector and often leave them without batteries.
Keep in mind: while a working smoke detector can crucially help alert you to a fire, only a functioning fire sprinkler system can properly defend your property.
Myth: Fire Sprinklers Only Protect the Property.
They do protect the property, but they can save something much more precious as well. A working combination of sprinklers and smoke detectors could reduce an overall loss of life by at least 50%.
When sprinklers are added to your fire safety system, they provide a high level of protection for those who reside or work in the building. In fact, reports show that a loss of life is significantly lower in properties that have fully installed fire sprinkler systems.
Sprinkler Systems are Worth It.
In reality, there is no better way to protect yourself against fire damage than by having a fully functional sprinkler system. Considering the losses that would result without one (your property, your employees, your commercial productivity), the cost of a fire sprinkler system is definitely worth the investment.
Remember, when it comes to safeguarding your building, you don’t want to take any shortcuts.
Contact us to get a fire sprinkler system installed right away.