Sprinkler vs. Fire Hose
Sprinkler
- Rapid Response
- Battle Small Fire
- 25 gallons of water per minute
- Minimal Property Damage
- Increased Chance of Escape
- Decreased risk of Death or Injury
Firehose
- Delayed Response
- Battle Large Fire
- 250 gallons of water per minute
- Greater Property Damage
- Reduced Chance of Escape
- Greater risk of Death or Injury
Cost
The average cost of a sprinkler system falls between 1 and 1.5 percent of TOTAL construction price of a new home. The use of CPVC (chloro polyvinyl chloride) plastic pipe reduces the cost in material. Typically, copper pipe or plastic is used in unfinished areas. The average cost for clean-up and repair after the activation of a residential sprinkler system is $2,166 vs the average cost of $45,019 for clean-up and repair for a home where the fire was extinguished by the fire department.
Myths
Truth: Only sprinklers directly affected by the heat of a fire are the ones to discharge.
Truth: Sprinkler systems cost less than 2 percent of the total construction cost of a new home.
Truth: Smoke detectors are only warnings. Sprinklers combat the fire before it grows and causes great damage.
Truth: Sprinklers come in a variety of styles and colors and can even be concealed above the ceiling.
Truth: Standards require appropriate insulation that protects sprinkler systems from freezing.
Truth:
Smoke detectors and fire alarms are not connected to the sprinkler system and are only warning devices.
Truth:
Most insurance companies value the effectiveness and reliability of sprinkler systems and may reduce your policy premium for protecting them from the risks they must underwrite caused by structure fires.