Incorporate Fire Protection in the Home Building Process
(ARA) - When building a new home, owners are faced with a dizzying array of choices -- trim finishes, carpet colors, window options . the list goes on and on. But one of the only options that can protect your family and property is a home fire sprinkler system.
Fire sprinklers have protected public buildings for more than 100 years. Today, more homeowners are choosing to install residential fire sprinklers in their new homes. Unfortunately, many homeowners are not familiar with residential sprinkler systems or don't understand how they work.
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), 80 percent of all fire deaths occur in the home. Most fire deaths are caused by deadly smoke. While smoke alarms warn you when there is a fire, a fire sprinkler can control a fire and prevent deadly smoke from spreading throughout the home. Often, a fire sprinkler can put the fire out before the fire department arrives on the scene.
The nonprofit Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition (HFSC) is a network of safety organizations joining forces to raise awareness about the life-saving benefits of installing fire sprinkler systems in new homes. They are dedicated to educating homeowners and dispelling the myths associated with home fire sprinkler systems.
Myth #1: Every sprinkler will activate in a fire, even if it's small.
Only the sprinkler closest to the fire will activate, spraying water directly on the fire. Despite "sight gags" on TV sit-coms, smoke does not trigger sprinkler operation. The rest of the sprinkler in a house will not activate unless there is also a fire in that location. Ninety percent of fires are contained by the operation of just one sprinkler.
Myth #2: Home sprinkler systems are unattractive.
Unlike commercial fire sprinkler, residential sprinklers are small, and can be recessed into ceilings or walls. Some models are completely concealed by plates that can be matched to room paint colors.
Myth #3: Sprinklers might go off by accident.
Sprinkler mishaps are generally less likely and less severe than those involving standard home plumbing systems.
Myth #4: Home sprinklers are expensive.
Nationally, on average, home fire sprinkler systems add about 1.5 percent to the total building cost in new construction -- that's usually less than the amount spent on carpet. And many homeowners discover that installing a home sprinkler system will save them money on their insurance premiums.
Myth #5: They use a huge amount of water.
When you compare the amount of water used by a home sprinkler (8 to 20 gallons a minute) to the amount used by fire hoses (250 gallons a minute) it's easy to see how a home fire sprinkler can help save your property in event of a fire.
Courtesy of ARA Content
