Rapid Response
Myths & Facts
Here is a list of common MYTHS about home fire sprinkler systems. The FACTS will help provide a more thorough understanding of the features and benefits of home fire sprinkler systems.
| MYTH: | When a fire occurs, every sprinkler in the house will activate. |
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| FACT: | Contrary to movie scenes, all the sprinklers in a sprinkler system do not activate at once. When a fire sprinkler activates, by design, the sprinkler closest to the fire goes off – and in 90% of cases, one sprinkler is enough to suppress the fire. |
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| MYTH: | Small things like burning a piece of toast could trigger the sprinkler system. |
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| FACT: | Burning toast and smoking cigars will not trigger a fire sprinkler. Fire sprinklers are only activated by extremely high temperatures, not by smoke. Only a threatening fire can generate enough heat to activate a sprinkler. |
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| MYTH: | A little fire or smoke damage is better than having the whole house ruined by water damage if the sprinkler system goes off. |
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| FACT: | A residential fire sprinkler uses only 10-25 gallons of water per minute, and operates early in a fire. A hose used by firefighters flows about 10 times that amount – around 125-250 gallons per minute. |
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| MYTH: | Fire sprinklers could go off accidentally. |
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| FACT: | The chances that a sprinkler will accidentally discharge due to a manufacturing defect are extremely rare- 1 in 16 million. Overall, sprinkler accidents are generally less likely and less severe than accidents involving home plumbing systems. |
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| MYTH: | Fire sprinklers won’t look nice in my beautiful new home. |
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| FACT: | Actually, most fire sprinklers are small and unobtrusive so you won’t even notice them unless you are looking for them. Tyco’s Rapid Response sprinklers come in a wide range of colors and styles, ensuring that they will blend aesthetically with any home décor. |
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| MYTH: | Home fire sprinklers are very expensive. |
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| FACT: | The cost of installing a fire sprinkler is only about the cost of a flooring upgrade, and can offer peace-of-mind and protect your family for many years. Plus, you can enjoy discounts of up to 15% on your homeowner’s insurance premium. |
How They Work
- A single residential sprinkler can protect a room area up to 20' X 20' - with an average house requiring only 20-30 sprinklers.
- Each sprinkler protects the area below it. Only a threatening fire can generate enough heat to activate a sprinkler - typically at 155°F.
- Only the sprinkler closest to the fire will activate, spraying water directly on the fire and the area that the sprinkler has been designed to protect.
- Sprinklers can control or even extinguish the fire before it can build deadly heat and smoke so you and your family can escape safely, and limit damage to your home.
- Your Rapid Response system can be linked to the local fire company or home alarm system so that they are immediately notified when a sprinkler activates.
- In less time than it would take a fire department to arrive on the scene, a single sprinkler can control or even extinguish the fire.
Trade Ups
Over and above the life-and property-saving benefits of home fire sprinkler systems, your business may be able to benefit from cost-saving incentives offered by many municipalities - called "trade-ups" - for committing to fire sprinkler installations in the new homes you build.
Trade-ups in the form of zoning and site development incentives can increase land use, decrease development costs, and improve the overall profitability of every home you build.
Typical Trade-ups Include:
- Street width reductions - substantially reducing the amount of pavement in every linear foot of street in the development.
- Additional units permitted - increases of up to 20% are not uncommon.
- Longer dead-end streets - allows for additional building lots to be accessed.
- Increased hydrant spacing - fewer fire hydrants equate to lower development costs.
- Increased street grades and building setbacks - steeper street grades and building locations further from paved fire vehicle access may be permitted.
- "T" turnarounds permitted - could create at least one additional lot per cul-de-sac.
- Required fire hydrant flow can be greatly reduced - Fire flow is the major factor in water main size - lower fire flows nearly always mean smaller mains.
Our Builder Program
Advanced Automatic Sprinkler, Inc. is taking a leadership role with homebuilders and home buyers to encourage the inclusion of state-of-the-art fire protection technology in every new home built.
Advanced Automatic Sprinkler, Inc. will work closely with you to make the installation of Rapid Response Home Fire Sprinkler Systems a quick and easy addition to your new home construction. We can develop a customized builder program, including model home support, technical training and support, home buyer marketing materials, and cooperative marketing allowances to help you promote and profit from the installation of Rapid Response Home Fire Sprinkler Systems in every home you build.
If you are interested in speaking to Advanced Automatic Sprinkler, Inc. about a builder program, please call 1-800-326-1525.
We look forward to working with you.