The Arguments
Against Sprinklers
MYTH: ''Sprinklers are
unsightly.''
TRUTH: Modern residential sprinklers come in
colors to match ceiling and wall colors and can be recessed or
partially recessed.
MYTH: ''The sprinklers may go off
accidentally.''
TRUTH: Studies show that the probability of
a sprinkler discharging accidentally due to a manufacturing defect
is only 1 in 16 million sprinklers per year in service.
MYTH: ''Sprinklers heads will leak.''
TRUTH:
Sprinkler systems are under the same pressure as the plumbing system
but are tested at 2-3 times higher pressure during
installation.
MYTH: ''If one sprinkler head goes off, they
all go off. Then, you've really got a mess!''
TRUTH:
Sprinkler heads are designed to react to temperatures in each room
individually. Normally, only the sprinkler over the fire will
activate. Data show that in residential scenarios, usually one
sprinkler will control a developing fire; in commercial buildings,
as few as three sprinklers will do the job.
MYTH: ''They
cause water damage!''
TRUTH: Test conducted by a Los Angeles
Fire Department and the US Fire Administration showed that damage
caused by water in a sprinklered fire is substantially less than
damage caused by fire department hose streams in an identical
unsprinklered fire, and far less than damage caused by a fire which
escapes early detection and suppression.
MYTH: ''Sprinklers
are expensive to install.''
TRUTH: The
average cost to install a custom designed fire sprinkler system is
only about 1% to 1.5% of the cost of your home, and can be
incorporated into your loan. Also, most insurance company’s will
give you credit if you have fire sprinklers installed in your
home.
