Although automatic fire sprinkler systems are more readily identified with commercial office buildings, schools, shopping malls, and the like, they are also available for residential use.
Although most homeowners insurance policies will allow a rider that will lower the yearly insurance premium, they must balance the risk of the extent of fire damage to the water damage that the sprinklers cause.
How the Automatic Sprinkler Plumbing Pipes are Configured
In theory, the fire extinguishing system is very simple. The water pipes are just like other plumbing pipes in the home and are easy to install during initial construction or later as part of a remodel or home renovation project.
The pipes are easily concealed above a suspended acoustical ceiling.
Wherever there is a need for a sprinkler head, a threaded “T” type connection is installed in the line. In very large applications, branch lines radiate out from a larger, central trunk line.
In commercial properties, sprinkler head locations are determined by the local plumbing building code; in kitchens, hallways, etc. The building code does generally not call for this type of residential disaster prevention, so the architect, engineer, or homeowner makes the call from a logic point of view.
How the Fire Sprinkler Head Works
The sprinkler head can be thought of as a “plug” that keeps the water in the pipes and out of the living area during normal circumstances. The head is connected to the connector.
So how does the head know when to begin to disperse water in order to extinguish a residential fire? It has a built-in sensor, sometimes referred to as a trigger. The trigger can take many forms and they are usually heat sensitive, not smoke-activated as a smoke alarm is.
One common type of sensor has a small vial filled with liquid. The liquid is rated by a specific boiling point. Radiant heat from the fire will cause the liquid to expand, shattering the glass vial. Once this happens, water in the plumbing pipe, under city water pressure, is free to flow in an umbrella-shaped spray.
Another type of sensor has a solder link. The link holds two components together which pinch off the water flow. When the heat melts the center of the link, the two components spring apart which lets the water go.
Limiting Fire Damage and Homeowners Insurance Claims
Since each head acts independently, water damage is limited to just the areas of the home which are affected by the fire. The response is so fast that fire and water damage is usually very limited. homefiresprinkler.org estimates that 90% of fires only cause one sprinkler to activate, minimizing loss of life, personal property, and the financial size of homeowners insurance claims.
References:
- www.nahb.org/generic.aspx?genericContentID=82243
- www.homefiresprinkler.org/
Kelly Smith - Kelly has over 30 years experience as a journeyman carpenter and 20 as a freelance writer and photographer.
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