What Are the Pros and Cons of Residential Sprinkler Systems?
To ensure fire regulation compliance, residential fire sprinkler systems have been introduced to homes, apartments, hostels and care homes for years in order to protect residents. Automatic systems can detect heat and extinguish fires efficiently, keeping the blaze contained before it can spread. They’re the most effective fire safety system to have in your property; with a 99% success rate, you can ensure maximum fire safety in order to ease your worries.
If you’re considering installing fire sprinklers in your home, like most investments, it’s better to weigh the pros and cons rather than rushing ahead. Most domestic or residential sprinkler systems are specified by the local authority building control in order to mitigate a problem in Part B of the building regulations. Fire curtains can sometimes achieve a similar result to sprinklers however when considering the residential sprinkler systems’ pros and cons, the sprinkler system comes out best. If you wish to weigh the residential sprinkler system pros and cons before investing, read our handy article below.
What are Residential Sprinkler Systems?
A residential property is defined as any building that can be considered a dwelling. For instance, elderly care homes, domestic homes, high-rise flats and dormitories are all classed as residential properties, and can all have sprinkler systems installed. Depending on the size of your property, there are a range of residential fire protection systems that can be designed and installed to protect your premises most effectively. Automatic fire sprinkler systems are one of the most popular systems, with sprinkler heads that dispense the amount of water needed to extinguish a fire rapidly.
Many property owners worry that, by installing home fire sprinklers, it can ruin their decor; with concealed sprinkler heads, there is minimal visual impact on the overall décor of your home. Protecting your loved ones from the devastating impacts of a fire is one of your utmost priorities, and by installing a residential fire sprinkler system, you can help protect both your loved ones and your home.
Like most apparatus, sprinklers still have their downsides, but the safety and assurance they provide outweighs the negative impact they may have by a sufficient amount. As sprinkler systems are a big commitment, it’s always better to be completely clued up and safe in the knowledge that you’re making the best decision for your family.
Pros
Less water is used
New and improved residential fire sprinkler systems detect the source of the fire and set out to extinguish the flames as early as possible in the development of the fire. If you only have a fire alarm installed, there’s no way to quickly put out the fire before it begins to spread, leaving you to wait for the fire brigade as your home comes under threat from extensive fire damage. Residential concealed sprinkler heads are referred to as ‘fast response’ heads. The heads trigger quicker than commercial sprinkler heads and can contain the fire, using less water to extinguish it, which can also decrease water damage.
Save Money and Lives
When it comes to the devastating impacts of fire, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Fires spread quickly, and their flames and smoke can make for a deadly combination. Too many lives are lost each year due to residential fires. Even when lives are thankfully unharmed, they can cause significant structural damage to properties, which is costly to repair. Installing sprinklers can help save the residential construction of your property, and can quickly diminish a fire to save the lives of people inside.
Stop Fire Growth
In high-rise apartments and larger buildings, fire can quickly spread upwards, putting numerous lives at stake. As previously mentioned, sprinkler systems in conjunction with fire compartmentation principles can contain the fire and stop the spread, keeping everyone safe.
Cons
The obvious disadvantage of residential fire sprinkler systems is water damage, but water will always be utilised in order to extinguish a domestic fire. However, the quantity of water employed by a sprinkler head extinguishing the fire at an early stage is far less than the Fire and Rescue Service will use when they arrive later in the fire’s development.
They Can Be Expensive
Residential fire sprinkler systems may not be the cheapest form of fire safety within the home. The installation of sprinkler heads and the overall infrastructure can cost anything between £2,500 for a small house to £150,000 for high-rise apartments. Generally speaking, the cost of the sprinkler system is the same as that of a fitted carpet, but unlike a carpet, the sprinkler system can have a serviceable life that lasts for decades. Sprinkler heads can cost £180 each. Before settling on a sprinkler system, it’s better to ask for a quote before going straight ahead. They can be pricey in some instances, but they’re the absolute best choice of protection against fire damage.
Like most methods of fire safety, such as fire alarms and fire suppression systems, residential sprinkler systems have their pros and cons. However, they’re a great choice for maximum protection, and can automatically find the source of a fire and extinguish it before it spreads. If you would like to find out more, or to receive a quote, you can visit us here.
