Fire Sprinkler Facts
This is a simple diagram showing the different components of a fire sprinkler. A typical home fire sprinkler covers a minimum 12 x 12 foot area.
According to the Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition, 90 precent of all house fires are extinguished by a single sprinkler.
A fire hose dispenses up to 250 gallons of water per minute, while a typical residential fire sprinkler will release just 20 gallons of water per minute.
When a house fire occurs, a sprinkler can respond almost immediately, reducing the amount of damage caused by the fire, whereas by the time the fire department arrives (usually 5-10 minutes), the damage to the home can be far more substantial.
FIRE SPRINKLER COMPONENTS
How a Fire Sprinkler Releases Water
The videos displayed below showcase the step by step process of how a fire sprinkler releases water. Some homeowners worry that sprinkler systems will activate accidentally, for no reason, or that all sprinklers will activate for a small, localized fire. However, automatic fire sprinklers are individually heat activated and tied into a network of pipes with water under pressure. Only those sprinklers in the immediate area of the fire will operate, optimizing the use of the water they distribute.
Types of Home Fire Sprinklers
Did you know that there are a variety of home fire sprinklers? The most well known fire sprinklers are called Pendent Sprinklers, located in the ceilings of most commercial and residential properties. Other types of sprinkler systems include Sidewall Sprinklers and Concealed Sprinklers. Another contention about fire sprinklers is they will detract from the aesthetics of the home. However, newer systems feature sprinklers that can be concealed. The fire sprinklers can be inconspicuously installed on a ceiling or wall and be almost completely concealed by small plates that can be matched to a room's colors.