Are you thinking of installing a fire sprinkler system? If so, check out this home sprinkler system FAQ section and see if the information here can help inform your decision.
How Do Fire Sprinkler Systems Work?
A fire sprinkler system will only activate if the air around it reaches a certain temperature range. Once the surrounding air reaches that temperature, it will trip a mechanism that activates the sprinkler.
After a sprinkler head is tripped, a valve will open and trigger the release of pressurized water. The water must be pressurized so it can douse a wide area.
Note that not all sprinkler heads may activate at the same time. Only the sprinkler heads that are exposed to the hot air will start spraying water. It’s possible that some of the sprinkler heads may not activate at all and that comes in handy for preventing unnecessary water damage.
What Are the Different Types of Fire Sprinkler Systems?
There is more than one type of fire sprinkler system that you can install inside your home.
First off, we have the wet pipe systems. Wet pipe sprinkler systems rely on pipes that already contain water. If they are triggered, they will be able to release water quickly.
Dry pipe systems don’t house water. Instead, their pipes are filled with air most of the time. The water only comes rushing in once the system detects a fire.
You should consider installing a dry pipe sprinkler system if you live in a part of the country known for having cold weather. By going with a dry pipe system, you won’t have to worry about the water freezing inside the pipes.
Pre-action sprinkler systems are more complex. They contain different features and detectors that are meant to prevent accidental triggering during false alarms.
Lastly, you have the deluge fire sprinkler systems. Deluge fire sprinkler systems feature sprinkler heads that activate all at once. These are best used as commercial sprinkler systems.
Do Fire Sprinklers React to Smoke?
Many people think that fire sprinklers can be activated by smoke. While that is a pervasive belief, it is important to note that it is incorrect.
As we detailed above, fire sprinklers are designed to react to temperature. Their triggers can only be activated by hot air. Smoke will not affect your sprinklers.
You don’t have to worry about some burnt food accidentally activating your sprinklers.
What Temperature Will Set Off a Fire Sprinkler?
Standard fire sprinklers will only spring into action if they detect that the air temperature has entered the range of 155 to 165 degrees Fahrenheit. That should not be an issue for most homes.
However, if you are installing the sprinklers in areas where the air is typically warm, you may want to get ones rated for higher temperatures. You should be able to find fire sprinklers that will only activate if the air temperature reaches 200 to 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
How Much Will a Fire Sprinkler System Cost?
It’s tough to provide a specific price tag for your fire sprinkler system since numerous factors have to be considered. Those factors include the type of system you’re getting, the size of the system and the layout of your home.
The best thing you can do is to consult with an installer beforehand so you have an idea of how much the new system will cost.