Home Fire Sprinklers: They're Not What You Think

(ARA) - Come on admit it: You read "sprinklers" and thought about watering the lawn, right? Even though fire sprinkler technology has been saving lives in commercial property, hotels and hospitals for 100 plus years, most people don't realize the same technology is available to protect their homes.

If you're thinking of buying, building or remodeling a home now is the time to learn about this state-of-the-art fire protection.

What is a home fire sprinkler system, anyway?

* Sprinklers are supplied by household water -- usually off the water main. Just like ordinary plumbing, sprinkler system piping is hidden behind walls and ceilings.

* The sprinklers are positioned along the piping and are visible in ceilings, and in some cases high along certain walls.

* Sprinklers are designed to flow between 10- and- 25 gallons of water per minute. That's about 10-15 times less water flow than fire department hoses.

* By operating while a fire is still small, a sprinkler controls or extinguishes a fire, slowing the spread of poisonous smoke and deadly heat.

* That fast and effective action gives family members more time to get out safely, saving lives.

* And, the sprinkler confines the fire damage so that surrounding rooms are protected, saving valuables.

"When it comes to peace of mind, I can tell you there is none greater than having fire sprinklers," says Ron Hazelton, best known as Good Morning America's home improvement editor and host of his own cable television program House Calls. "I've seen first-hand how quickly a fire can turn tragic, and I wanted to protect my family from that. That's why I chose to put fire sprinklers in my own home."

Home fire sprinkler installations are gaining momentum across the country. That's because fire safety experts say widespread use of home sprinkler systems could save thousands of lives a year.

Following an emergency call, it takes 9-to-12 minutes, on average, for a fire department to arrive on the scene. By that time, an uncontrolled fire will have spread, causing smoke and heat damage and threatening the lives of the residents. In a home with sprinklers, the fire gets under control right away, limiting damage and protecting residents.

Home fire sprinklers are also gaining in popularity as more homeowners realize that safety improvements are a smart investment. A recent Harris Interactive survey showed that 69 percent of homeowners believe having fire sprinklers increases a home's value.

Busting common fire sprinkler myths

But there is still a lot of misinformation about sprinklers. Forget whatever you've seen sprinklers do in movies. The most common myth is that they activate all at once if a fire starts. That's not true. Each sprinkler has its own temperature-sensitive element. The sprinkler closest to the fire will activate, putting water on the flames and lowering the temperature. That way, in most home fires, only one sprinkler will be needed to get the fire under control or even put out. Here are some other common myths:

* Burned toast will set off the sprinklers. Wrong. Only a fire's high temperature will cause the sprinklers to activate, usually between 135 and 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Cooking mistakes and other smoke cannot operate a fire sprinkler.

* Water damage. Nope -- far less than without sprinklers. Sprinklers flow at 10-to-25 gallons per minute. That's only a fraction of the water flow a fire department would use if a sprinkler weren't installed. And the minimal water flow from sprinklers causes far less damage than fire, heat and smoke.

* Leaks. There is no good reason to think the risk is any greater with sprinklers than it is with other plumbing.

Sprinklers: the upgrade that will save your life

Since eight out of every ten fire deaths happen in homes, people need to know they can benefit from residential sprinklers. "Unfortunately, one of the most common things I hear from new homeowners is that they didn't know they could have had sprinklers installed when they built their home," says Hazelton. "Too often, they only hear about decorative upgrades and not about the one that will save their lives if they have a fire."

Free information is available about home fire sprinklers from the nonprofit and non-commercial Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition (HFSC). Visit HFSC's Web site HomeFireSprinkler.org to learn more about this life-saving technology and to see video clips and animations that answer common questions. You can even read about real-life cases where sprinklers saved lives.

HFSC is a national organization whose sole purpose is to educate people on how fire sprinklers can protect their homes and families. HFSC does not sell sprinkler materials or installation, and doesn't recommend any particular brand or service.

If you're building a new home, renovating or thinking of buying, take a few minutes to learn how you can add the life-saving fire safety option.

Courtesy of ARAcontent