Comments on: Installing Residential Fire Sprinklers – Jungels Family – Case Study

By: Peter

Peter — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 10:06:11 +0000

Hello.

A sprinkler head has a lead fusible link in the residential is not harmful for human being especially for the toddlers?
Please advise.

By: Dave Steiner

Dave Steiner — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 10:44:08 +0000

While doing some research for a fire science paper I’m writing I have come across “Steve’s” comment three times on the web. I have concluded he is either 1) very unlucky and did experience a minor problem that has resulted in his expanding the truth a bit, or 2) generating propaganda for someone or some group.
Having some experience in facility management including wet, dry and foam sprinkler and deluge systems in home and industrial locations I feel qualified to say that the minor maintenance or rare inadvertent activation of a residential is clearly offset by the protection provided by these systems.
Steve, if you really did have a major problem with a home sprinkler system in two homes, I encourage you to notify the local BBB or other agency of the experience and the contractors or builders involved.
Fire sprinklers are generally credited with controlling, suppressing and in some cases extinguishing fires when installed and maintained in accordance with engineered design specifications. Despite this proven track record, some of the main reasons given by the building and construction industry for resistance in installing sprinkler systems in areas not covered by mandatory code or regulatory actions is increased construction cost and construction time. While some added expense is involved to provide and maintain fire sprinkler systems, the cost may be offset by lowered insurance rates.
Other benefits of the inclusion of sprinkler systems are reduced insurance rates and improved life and property ‘saves’ in the event of an inadvertent fire. The greatest of these benefits is of course the decreased probability of loss of life in a fire as a monetary price can not be placed on life.

Dave Steiner,
SFPE

By: Residential Fire Sprinklers .com

Residential Fire Sprinklers .com — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 22:49:38 +0000

Ibrahim, when a house is left vacant there are some basic precautions that should be taken for fire sprinkler systems, just like would be done for the domestic water plumbing. You may also want to have a local residential fire sprinkler contractor inspect the system to see if insulation is needed around the piping if your area is subject to freezing conditions. Regarding draining the system, you are correct that often the main drain is located near the riser. If you shut off the water supply valve and drain the system you will see the water pressure go down to zero. Just remember to restore the system with water…the most common failure of fire sprinkler systems during a fire is someone shutting off the water supply and forgetting to restore the system to proper operating conditions.

By: Ibrahim Mansoor

Ibrahim Mansoor — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 22:02:40 +0000

I just bought a house that had a fire sprinkler system installed. The house was vacant during winter time, and even though it is not as cold as west here in portland, or the pipes in the ceilings cracked. The owner has come in to fix all the leaks (6 places) means six big holes in the roof. They repaired the pipes and the pressure in the pipes is back to 120. When I bought the house i had to fix the holes in the celings. But now i really concerned if this will happens again it will cause a lot of damage. Can you advice me, should I turn the sytem off. And also I thought that I can just turn the system off by turing the valve at the raiser and draining the water in the pipes through the tap under at the raiser. Once I turn the valve I can see the pressure going down to zero. And once all the water is drained from the system it should be off. I could not find any on/off for the sprinkler system outside house. We do not have any monitoring company for our fire sprinklers. Lot of questions, I will appreciate you comment. Thanks

By: Ryan J. Smith

Ryan J. Smith — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 05:53:58 +0000

Steve, wow, based on your comments I wonder if you are representing the home builders lobby and question the truthfulness of the experiences you are mentioning. If your bad experiences are true, then you are certainly the very rare exception. Fire sprinklers have a long history of being one of the most reliable and effective safety devices ever invented. If you are willing, I would enjoy speaking with you further about your concerns.

By: Steve

Steve — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 14:13:40 +0000

Residential fire sprinkler systems are nothing but grief. I would never live in a home with a fire sprinkler system turned on. These systems are often home-wreckers and rarely home-savers. Anyone researching these systems and having the option not to install, I would strongly suggest not doing it.
I’ve had two houses with a system and they both had problems that damaged the house, floors, and personal property. It goes way beyond leaky heads. Consider your system a ticking water bomb (glycol too). Enjoy!

By: Ryan Smith

Ryan Smith — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 13:37:39 +0000

Robert, I’m happy to help. An inspector test valve is used to simulate a fire sprinkler activation. This allows the inspector to flow water to ensure proper water supply and notification to the monitoring company. Ideally it should be located at the farthest point from the riser, but system designs vary so this is not always the case. The inspector test valve itself is quite simple. It’s an extension of pipe coming off the system with a valve accessible. The pipe usually ends towards the ground in an area where it is safe to flow water. Ideally there should also be a sign indicating that it is the inspectors test valve, but signs don’t always end up where they are suppose to be I hope that helps. If in doubt don’t hesitate to call a local fire protection contractor who can walk you through your system. This knowledge will give you piece of mind for as long as you live in your home.

By: Robert

Robert — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 12:55:32 +0000

Ryan,

Thanks for your response. Man, I never even thought about the monitoring company. I’ll be sure and do that. Now, I know where the shutoff valves are. But, what does an inspector test valve look like? Should it be near the shutoffs? I’ll post photos of my setup tonight and post a link. Maybe you can spot it.

By: Ryan Smith

Ryan Smith — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 17:29:56 +0000

Robert, as a homeowner working on your own residence you should be able to turn off the water supply for a few hours while the contractor is working. You will also most likely want to drain the system using the inspector test value so that most of the water is removed from the pipes in case of a break. If your system is monitored by an alarm company be sure to contact them first so they do not think an actual fire is occurring.

If the heating contractor is able to perform the work without damaging the sprinkler head, then you should be able to restore the water supply upon completion without trouble. Then call the monitoring company and let them know things are back to normal. If the sprinkler head is damaged by the heating contractor, then it is advisable to contact a fire protection contractor to properly replace the head and restore the water supply.

You can find a local fire protection contractor in your area at Fire Protection Source

By: Robert

Robert — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 19:53:49 +0000

Hi,

We’re replacing our central heater and there’s a sprinkler head right above the unit. The contractor said we should keep a spare head on hand in case their work breaks it. He also said we’ll have to turn off the water supplying the sprinkler system while they work. So, would I have to call a professional to turn the supply back on and/or replace the sprinkler head (if it does need to be replaced)?