In a time where fire safety is on the public agenda more than ever, many have questions regarding the use, safety and adaptability of fire sprinklers.
Many people still hold a number of misconceptions regarding fire sprinkler systems, usually with worries about their reliability. Yet fire sprinkler systems are here for the protection of our lives and property - they are tested, trusted and reliable.
This blog will provide some clarity to some of the most frequently asked questions about fire sprinkler systems for commercial and residential usage:
“Do fire sprinklers go off by accident?”
It is extremely uncommon for a fire sprinkler system to go off without warning or reason. To set off a fire sprinkler, either a heat source is required, such as an out of control fire, or a very hard knock that displaces the sprinkler head’s fusible link, or glass trigger.
People worry about leaving their home, and returning to find their property damaged by a sprinkler system that has been set off. But this is a very unlikely occurrence. It’s more likely to be damaged by fire if the property is not protected by a fire sprinkler system, than by water.
“Will all fire sprinklers go off simultaneously and flood my home?”
Unlike in the movies, sprinkler heads are not all triggered at once, and the fire sprinkler system will only be released if it’s in the same room as the hazard.
That means if a fallen cigarette ignites a sofa in the living room, none of the other sprinklers in the building will operate. One sprinkler head is enough to extinguish the hazard, making sure you and the rest of your home are fully protected.
“Will smoke set off a fire sprinkler system?”
Absolutely not - this is a common myth. As mentioned before, a sprinkler system needs a close heat source to set it off, usually around 70°C.
“How does a fire sprinkler system work?”
Sprinklers installed in a building's walls and ceiling store water within pipes. The sprinkler heads have a fusible link that melts from the heat given off by a fire. When this melts away, it opens up the sprinkler, which sprays evenly to ensure the flames are extinguished.
“Aren’t sprinkler systems costly to maintain?”
Not necessarily. Standard maintenance costs for fire sprinklers are between £75 and £150 per year. By purchasing a system that is long-lasting and non-corrosive, expensive long-term maintenance costs can easily be avoided.
BlazeMaster® CPVC piping has a natural immunity to scale, deterioration and microbiologically influenced corrosion, ensuring a low-maintenance service life that typically lasts up to 50 years.
“Is installing a fire sprinkler difficult and time consuming?”
In the BAFSA’s Callow Mount retrofit project, the task was to retrofit an entire tower block using CPVC fire sprinkler piping. The crew took an average of 1 flat per day for 47 flats, demonstrating that fire sprinklers can be fitted on a ‘fast-track basis.’
“Do fire sprinklers actually work in high-rise buildings?”
In the Chief Fire Officers Association’s Business Case for Sprinklers, it was established that it can take 20 minutes for the fire service to establish the resources required to safely deal with a fire on upper floors. Fire sprinklers buy precious time and therefore save lives.
There are several recent cases of fire sprinklers saving lives in high-rise buildings outside of the UK. There were thankfully no casualties in situations including the Monte Carlo Hotel Casino, and the 79-storey Dubai Marina Torch, which were both fitted with fire sprinkler systems.
Looking to learn more about today’s most commonly used fire sprinkler systems? At BlazeMaster Fire Protection Systems, we have the expertise to debunk all the common myths surrounding CPVC fire sprinkler pipes (a strong thermoplastic used for fire protection systems).
