Fire Protection - Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX

Fire Protection - Dallas/Ft. Worth

Don't sprinkler systems cost a lot?

Not when compared to the cost of fire. Sprinkler systems in new construction cost between $0.95 and $1.50 per square foot of building floor space. To put a sprinkler system in an existing building can cost a little more depending on building construction, and how many walls and/or ceilings need to be disturbed.

A recent survey in the Chicago metropolitan area shows fire sprinkler system installations in existing buildings costing between $0.94 and $2.15 per square foot, with an average of $1.74 per square foot.

What about water damage?

Fire sprinklers are heat activated devices. Only those closest to a fire will ever open. More than 90% of all fires are controlled by four sprinklers or less, with each sprinkler flowing about 25 gallons per minute. Contrast that with the hundreds and even thousands of gallons per minute which fire fighters would use once they arrive.

Can a sprinkler go off accidentally?

It is possible, but it rarely happens. Unless sprinklers are subjected to freezing, overheating, or mechanical injury, loss records show that only once in every 16 million years of service will a sprinkler accidentally open.

How do sprinklers operate?

Fire sprinklers are individually heat-activated and connected to a network of water pipes. When the heat from a fire raises the sprinkler to its operating temperature (usually 68 deg C or 155 deg F), only that sprinkler activates delivering water directly to the source of the heat

Why are sprinklers so effective?

All fires start small and, if detected and tackled early enough, can be controlled with very little water. The latest sprinkler systems use a special type of fast response fire sprinkler, which responds very quickly to a fire and is completely automatic in operation. The system can therefore tackle a fire at a very early stage, even if no one is around, releasing water directly over the source of the fire and sounding an alarm

How reliable are sprinklers?

Records show that between 1886 and 1986 fire sprinklers controlled 99.7% of all fires where they were fitted.

Do sprinklers go off accidentally?

No! Records in service show that sprinklers are very dependable. The chance of a defective head is less than 1:16,000,000 - less than your chance of winning the Lottery! The chance of an accidental discharge is considerably less.

Won't they all go off together?

No! Each sprinkler reacts individually to a fire so only the sprinkler nearest the fire will open. If that is not sufficient to control the fire then the next nearest will open, and so on. In over 95% of cases only one sprinkler operates and this is enough to control or extinguish the fire.

What about water damage?

Typically a sprinkler discharges 60l/min. A fireman's hose on the other hand discharges 1000+ liters a minute. In general a sprinkler system will use between 1/100th and 1/1000th of the water used by the Fire Department. Even then, most things that get wet can be restored - but a pile of ashes is beyond hope.

Can I install them myself?

No. Only qualified and experienced contractors, should install fire sprinklers. They will know how to design and install the system in compliance with national standards, which will ensure that the spacing is correct and the water supply adequate. Also, fire sprinklers have different operating temperatures and flow patterns. You need someone knowledgeable who can select the correct sprinkler for each area of the structure.

Do I have to do anything if there is a fire?

Just get yourself and anyone else out of the building and call the Fire Department. Fire Sprinklers will do the rest. They are fully automatic and will work even if there is a power failure. Leave the system running until the Fire Department deems it safe to turn it off. Although it may look like the fire is out, turning off the system too soon may allow the fire to catch hold again.

Aren't they unsightly?

Fire Sprinklers come in all shapes and styles. Residential fire sprinklers are much smaller than ones that you see in stores and offices. All residential models come in colors to match popular ceiling and wall colors, and manufacturers will even custom-paint them for you. Many models are partially recessed into the ceiling with about 1/4"-3/4" below the ceiling. If you want them completely recessed, these models are also available. They are hidden by a cover plate that is painted to match the ceiling. The cover is held in place by a metallic link that melts in a fire and exposes the sprinkler. It is common to find that visitors do not notice the sprinklers at all unless you point them out, even the ones that are not recessed into the ceiling.

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