5 Commercial Fire Sprinkler System Myths Debunked

There’s no denying that an office fire could cause catastrophic damage to your commercial property. Not to mention the risk of placing your employees in harm’s way without the correct installation of a commercial fire sprinkler system.

Total Fire Protection’s fire and life safety specialists will install, maintain, and test your fire sprinkler system to ensure compliance with NFPA 25 standards and local codes. As lifesaving and necessary a code-complaint fire sprinkler system may be, there are certain common myths that people still believe due to inaccurate information or lack thereof.

We’re here to debunk certain sprinkler system myths and offer accurate, lifesaving information that could prepare you an unfortunate office fire.

Myth: Water damage from triggered fire sprinklers will cause more damage than an actual fire

Fact: The truth of the matter is that a fire sprinkler system will cause significantly less damage than a fireman’s hose. Without a fire sprinkler system, you’ll have no choice but to accept help from a firefighter. However, firefighters tend to use six time more water than the average fire sprinkler system.

This will not only result in fire damage from having to wait for help, but you’ll be left with significant water damage.

Myth: If a fire occurs, every fire sprinkler head will be activated

Fact: The great news is that each fire sprinkler head is individually activated when it encounters fire temperatures above 155 °F. That means your office building will not encounter mass fire sprinkler activation when faced with a possible fire. In fact, according to FEMA, typically only one or two fire sprinkler heads will be activated at a time.

Myth: Fire sprinkler systems are overly sensitive

Fact: Although you want to ensure that your commercial fire sprinkler system will be as effective as possible, you don’t have to worry about an employee activating the system while taking a smoke break. Fire sprinklers are only ever activated when detecting high temperature circumstances such as an office fire.

Myth: Smoke alarms will activate a fire sprinkler system

Fact: Fire sprinkler systems and smoke alarms function independently from one another. Smoke alarms provide an audible warning while sprinkler system heads are heat activated. The one will not set the other one off.

Myth: Fire sprinkler systems do not require maintenance

Fact: In order to keep your fire sprinkler system in top notch condition, regular maintenance and monthly tests should be conducted. This wil include checking the pressure pipes, inspecting the sprinkler system heads, and looking for any possible leaks or valve malfunctions.

Prevent catastrophic damage to your office building with the correct fire sprinkler system installed, tested, and maintained by Total Fire Protection technicians. Get a free quote within 24 hours.