Information on Fire Sprinkler Systems

Considerations

• The U.S. Fire Administration says that all residential buildings should have automatic fire sprinkler systems installed along with smoke alarms. Commercial buildings, such as schools, offices and factories, have used fire sprinkler systems for more than a century. However, homeowners and builders are less likely to install fire sprinklers in residential buildings.

Misconceptions

• Contrary to what's often depicted in movies, automatic fire sprinkler systems are unlikely to mistakenly activate. According to Fire Safe Systems, Inc., the odds are one in 16 million of a system malfunctioning. It also takes direct heat exposure to activate a fire sprinkler, which means smoke alone causes no effect.

Benefits

• Fire sprinkler systems in the home reduce the cost associated with property damage and possession loss following a fire. According to FireSafety.gov, some insurance companies also lower their rates 5 percent to 15 percent when a residence contains a sprinkler system. If the home isn't built with a system included, it's possible to add a system to a finished home.