FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

Fire sprinklers can be automatic or open orifice. Automatic fire sprinklers operate at a predetermined temperature, utilizing a fusible element, a portion of which melts, or a frangible glass bulb containing a liquid that breaks, allowing the plug in the orifice to be pushed out of the orifice by the water pressure in the fire sprinkler piping, resulting in water flow from the orifice. The water stream impacts a deflector, which produces a specific spray pattern designed in support of the goals of the sprinkler type (i.e., control or suppression). Modern sprinkler heads are designed to direct spray downwards. Spray nozzles are available to provide spray in various directions and patterns. The majority of automatic fire sprinklers operate individually in a fire. Contrary to motion picture representation, the entire sprinkler system does not activate unless the system is a special deluge type.

Open orifice sprinklers are only used in water spray systems or deluge sprinkler systems. They are identical to the automatic sprinkler on which they are based, with the heat-sensitive operating element removed.

Automatic fire sprinklers utilizing frangible bulbs follow a standardized color coding convention indicating their operating temperature. Activation temperatures correspond to the type of hazard against which the sprinkler system protects. Residential occupancies are proviEach closed-head sprinkler is held closed by either a heat-sensitive glass bulb or a two-part metal link held together with the fusible alloys such as Wood’s metal and other alloys with similar compositions. The glass bulb or link applies pressure to a pipe cap which acts as a plug that prevents water from flowing until the ambient temperature around the sprinkler reaches the design activation temperature of the individual sprinkler. Because each sprinkler activates independently when the predetermined heat level is reached, the number of sprinklers that operate is limited to only those near the fire, thereby maximizing the available water pressure over the point of fire originated with a special type of fast response sprinkler with the unique goal of life safety.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has no record of a fire killing more than two people in a completely sprinklered public assembly, educational, institutional, or residential building where the system was working properly. In cases in which fatalities occur in a building equipped with fire sprinklers, the deceased are almost always in intimate contact with the fire and were burned severely before the sprinkler activated (i.e., smoking in bed, explosions, etc.); sprinklers typically reduce chances of dying in a fire and the average property loss by one-half to two-thirds in any kind of property where they are used.

“U.S. Experience with Sprinklers” (September 2001) by Kimberly Rohr provides an excellent study of the use and experience of automatic fire sprinklers. This report was produced by and is available from the National Fire Protection Association. Residential sprinklers have been required by the City of Scottsdale, Arizona, for over fifteen years

The odds of a sprinkler activation due to a manufacturing defect are about 1 in 16 million. Fire sprinklers have a long history of proven dependability and reliability. Although sprinklers can be damaged and activated through intentional or accidental abuse, this is rare. Sprinkler piping is no more likely to leak than existing plumbing piping in every home and building.

No, fire sprinklers are designed to control a fire in its early stages, where less water is required. Most fires are completely controlled with the activation of only one or two sprinklers. Fire hoses, on average, use more than 8 times the water that sprinklers do to contain a fire. According to the Scottsdale Report, a residential fire sprinkler uses, on average, 341 gallons of water to control a fire. Firefighters, on average, use 2,935 gallons. Reduced water damage is a major source of savings.

Fire sprinkler systems are installed in accordance with consensus standards developed by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). These standards are very specific in defining how sprinklers are to be installed in different types of occupancies and different hazard classifications. The three primary standards that define the installation requirements are NFPA-13 (Installation of Sprinkler Systems), NFPA-13R (Installation of Sprinkler Systems in Residential Occupancies Up to and Including Four Stories in Height), and NFPA-13D (Installation of Sprinkler Systems in One and Two-Family Dwellings and Manufactured Homes). The standards adopted by NFPA represent the best-recommended practices, but the standards by themselves are not “law.” Development of the consensus is a dynamic process, and the standard is changed to reflect new technologies, science, and experience. Every three years, a new version of the standard is issued that contains changes and updates.

The requirements for the installation of fire sprinklers are adopted as law by state or local jurisdictions as a part of their building code or local ordinance. At times jurisdictions may vary some of the requirements contained in the NFPA documents. Differences in requirements will vary from city to city based on local changes made to the NFPA standards or the year of the standard adopted by the local jurisdiction. For example, if one city adopts the 1999 NFPA 13 standard and another city adopts the 2002 issue of the same standard, there will be differences.

No, they are not always required. Many buildings were built prior to modern-day standards are were “grandfathered,” so a retrofit was not required. Some local jurisdictions have seen the many advantages of fire sprinklers and required buildings to be retrofitted over a period of years.

The Hotel and Motel Fire Safety Act of 1990 (PL101-391) was passed into law by Congress to save lives and protect property by promoting fire and life safety in hotels, motels, and other places of public accommodation. The law mandates that federal employees on travel must stay in public accommodations that adhere to the life safety requirements in the legislation guidelines. PL101-391 also states that federally funded meetings and conferences cannot be held in properties that do not comply with the law. PL101-391 is applicable to all places of public accommodation and requires that such properties are equipped with hard-wired, single-station smoke detectors in each guest room and an automatic sprinkler system with a sprinkler head in each guest room. Properties three stories or lower in height are exempt from the sprinkler requirement.

US Fire Administration has been charged with carrying out FEMA’s responsibilities with respect to the Hotel and Motel Fire Safety Act of 1990. In addition to compiling, maintaining, and publishing the National Master List, USFA is also responsible for taking steps to encourage states to promote the use of automatic sprinkler systems and automatic smoke detection systems.

A fire sprinkler system must be installed in compliance with the appropriate standards and local codes, and ordinances. Fire sprinkler system design and layout are based on a variety of issues related to occupancy. This is not a job for the homeowner as a weekend project! In fact, local laws may prohibit the homeowner from installing such a system. Fire sprinkler systems are installed by contractors who know and understand the requirements defined by the installation standards. Many states require contractors that install fire sprinkler systems to be licensed and demonstrate competency in the trade.

Automatic fire sprinklers have been in use since 1874.