Get Your Facts Straight: Myths and Truths about Fire Sprinkler Systems

Fire sprinkler systems, for the past 130 years, have manifested to be the most reliable method of safeguarding lives and properties.
Regretfully, along these years, several myths have also been attached to the functioning of fire sprinkler systems.
So, we have jotted down a few points that can help you clear out your misconceptions regarding the effectiveness of fire sprinkler systems.
Do read about the same:

Myth: Water damage from a sprinkler system is more extensive than fire damage.

Fact: The damage caused by the water released from a fire sprinkler system is less severe than the harm caused by the discharge of the same from firefighting hose lines. Prompt response sprinklers release 8 to 24 gallons of water per minute compared to 80 to 125 gallons of water discharged per minute by a fire hose.

Myth: A smoke detector is enough!

Fact: Smoke detectors provide an early warning about the occurrence of smoke or evolving flames. However, it can do nothing to extinguish a developing fire.

A lot many times, battery-operated smoke detectors fail to function. Why? Because, either the batteries of these detectors evince to be dead or have been removed.

Myth: Sprinkler systems are ineffective.

Fact: Most studies reveal that sprinkler systems are 98 to 99.8% effective in controlling a fire accident. Sprinkler systems, have most of the time, exhibited to be ineffective when their control valves are not put in an active mode.

Myth: The head of every other sprinkler will go off when a fire occurs.

Fact: Sprinkler heads are fabricated to respond independently to temperatures of every room. Under normal circumstances, solely the sprinkler over the fire activates.

According to various data and researches, a single sprinkler can, ordinarily, cease a growing fire in residential settings; in a commercial setup, as few as three sprinklers can execute the action of controlling the flames.

Myth: Sprinkler heads activate accidentally.

Well, ergo, there is a 99.95% chance that such a sprinkler head won’t be installed at your home or office.

Myth: Fire sprinklers are expensive.

Fact: Fire sprinklers usually contribute to 1 to 2% of total building costs.

In fact, several insurance companies provide compensation coverage to businesses with accurately designed, installed, and well-maintained fire sprinklers.

Myth: The sprinkler heads will leak!

Fact: No! Sprinkler systems are tested on the same grounds as the plumbing arrangement. Fire Sprinklers are, as a matter of fact, tested at 2 to 3 times higher pressure during installation.

Myth: Sprinklers are designed to protect property, but not lives.

Fact: While property and asset damages are 85% less in residences with fire sprinkler systems compared to those without ones, these systems have, according to statistics, proven to save several lives as well. The installation of fire sprinkler systems, not only reduces injuries by at least 80% but eliminates the probability of death cases witnessed during such accidents as well.

Therefore, it is now all upon you to believe the facts.

After all, there must be a reason why fire sprinkler systems have had a 99% success rate in controlling fire accidents all around the world.