Sprinkler systems have demonstrated their value in protecting lives and property for over 100 years, in both industrial and commercial applications. The proof that sprinklers operate at an earlier stage in the development of a fire, coupled with the recognition that most fire deaths occur in the home has led to the creation of sprinkler systems designed specifically for residential use.
The benefits of installing residential sprinklers in your home
- Sprinklers are triggered directly by the heat of a fire, therefore they react long before the Fire Brigade is notified.
- Fire Sprinklers control or extinguish the fire as well as giving residents an early warning of the fire, therefore allowing extra time to escape or be rescued.
- Fire sprinklers not only reduce property damage but save lives, as well as decreasing the impact on the environment and reducing the cost to the Fire Brigade; sprinklers use between 1/125th and 1/100th of the water used by EACH Fire Brigade hose, therefore if there is a fire, the water damage is minimised.
- A residential sprinkler system is designed to use just enough water to control the fire. Typically one sprinkler head discharges 38-40 litres of water a minute compared to a firefighter’s hose at 1000+ litres per minute. Water damage to a room protected by sprinklers can be minimal and as such, can often be back in use within a couple of hours.
- Sprinkler heads are available in various colours and finishes to match your needs in terms of home decor.
- Residential sprinklers are reliable, inexpensive and designed to last for over 50 years.
- All of our residential systems are designed, installed and maintained to the industry standard BS9251: 2021 (Fire sprinkler systems for domestic and residential occupancies) Code of Practice. This Code of Practice gives recommendations for the design, installation, components, water supplies and backflow protection, commissioning, maintenance and testing of fire sprinkler systems installed for life safety purposes with additional benefits for property protection.
BS 9251:2021 also gives recommendations for sprinkler protection of domestic and residential premises where the building height is either more than four storeys or 18 m and above. Its recommendations also apply to any addition, extension, repair or other modification to a residential sprinkler system.
Please find the Technical Update on the changes contained within the new standard penned by Dr Simon Bird on behalf of (introducing BS9251 “Fire sprinkler systems for domestic and residential occupancies Code of practice). BAFSA
How sprinklers work
Correctly designed and installed sprinkler systems, such as those from First Fire Protection, detect a fire through the increase in temperature and then sound an alarm. The sprinklers nearest the heat will release water to rapidly reduce the amount of heat and smoke produced, allowing occupants greater time to escape or to be rescued.
Remember, it is crucial that sprinklers are properly maintained and regularly tested to ensure their correct operation.
