Myths and Facts About Sprinkler Systems (Part 2)

11/19/2018 (Permalink)

Sprinkler head in a commercial building

Myth: “A smoke detector provides enough protection.”

Fact: Smoke detectors save lives by providing an early warning to a smoke or fire incident, but can do nothing to extinguish a growing fire or protect those physically unable to escape on their own, such as the elderly or small children. Too often, battery operated smoke detectors fail to function because the batteries are dead or have been removed. As the percent of homes in America that were “protected” with smoke detectors increased from zero to more than 70%, the number of fire deaths in homes did not significantly decrease.

Myth: “Sprinklers are designed to protect property, but are not effective for saving lives.”

Fact: Sprinklers provide a high level of safety. Statistics reveal that there has never been any multiple losses of life in a fully sprinklered building. Property losses are 85% less in residences with fire sprinklers compared to those without sprinklers. The combination of automatic sprinklers and early warning systems in all buildings could reduce overall injuries, loss of life and property damage by at least 50%.

Source:  American Fire Sprinkler Association