Fire sprinkler systems are an essential aspect of a building’s fire safety set-up. They have been saving lives and controlling fires for several decades. These systems are automatic and respond to excessive heat or fire immediately, which gives people more time to get out of the property. In most cases, sprinkler systems can extinguish the fire, preventing property damage.
If the flames are too intense, a sprinkler system can slow down their progress, giving them more time to leave. You need to carry out regular sprinkler system maintenance to ensure it responds appropriately during emergencies.
Common Sprinkler System Questions
Many people hesitate to install a sprinkler system on their property because they have some misconceptions about it. Here’s a look at some of the most commonly asked questions regarding this set-up:
- Are these systems effective?
According to the National Fire Protection Association records, no more than two people have died due to a fire in buildings with sprinkler systems. These installations are designed to spray a reasonable amount of water in the affected area promptly. As the system reacts almost instantaneously after it senses a fire, it manages to contain most of it in one place. It saves lives and reduces property damage, which can help you save a lot of money in repairs.
- Do sprinkler systems activate by accident?
Many movies use sprinkler systems as a plot device, having them activate at the slightest provocation. In reality, these systems rarely enable by accident, and smoke doesn’t act as a trigger either. Only a heat source or a manual trigger will start the system, which means there’s no need to worry about coming home one day and finding the entire area flooded. With proper sprinkler system maintenance, you can avoid unnecessary activation and ensure the installation responds like it’s supposed to during true emergencies.
- Will smoke set off the system?
Modern sprinkler systems aren’t sensitive to smoke. You don’t need to worry about them activating if you accidentally burn something in the kitchen. A sprinkler will only activate if there’s a heat source reaching around 70°C close to it, reducing the risk of accidental activation considerably.
- Do all sprinklers go off simultaneously?
Sprinkler systems available today are more sophisticated and efficient than people realize. Every individual sprinkler is activated if there’s a heat source near it, which means the rest of the system will remain inactive. For example, if a curtain is on fire, the sprinkler head near it will activate, but one above the bed or on the opposite side of the room will not. Most fires require one or two active sprinklers to control the hazard. It is rare for all sprinklers in an area to activate at once unless the owner hasn’t carried out proper sprinkler system maintenance.
If you have more questions about this system, contact a professional for advice. They will answer your questions and offer recommendations to improve your property’s fire safety.
Sprinkler System Inspection
Sprinkler systems are designed to handle all kinds of wear and tear, but environmental conditions like dust, grime, and other factors can cause issues. It is best to get the system inspected by licensed and certified professionals four times a year. During a quarterly inspection, the technician will assess the meters, sprinkler heads, valves, piping, and pressure to ensure everything is in order.
Once they are sure no vital component is damaged, they will approve of your system. If they spot any issues, they will recommend effective repairs to ensure your sprinklers are effective once again. Proper sprinkler system maintenance is essential to maintain an excellent safety record on your property.
Most fires only trigger one or two sprinkler heads, which means there’s no widespread flooding. A well-maintained system will extinguish fires without causing much damage to your property.
