Frequently asked questions

Eleven frequently asked questions when it come to fire sprinkler systems in your home or business. If you have additional questions feel free to email us at service@afpmd.com

Q: Do I need a fire sprinkler system in my building?

A: Contact us for answers directly related to your building and situation.


Q: Are sprinklers really a good investment?

A: Yes! Sprinklers are a good investment for both home builders and home buyers.

For home builders:

Through the use of construction trade-offs, homebuilders and developers can achieve reduced construction costs if residential sprinkler systems are installed. Home sprinkler systems offer both safety and financial advantages to home buyers, a rare combination.

For home buyers:

1.    A fire occurs in a residential structure every 79 seconds, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. To the homebuilder, this fact means that a        large share of potential customers now have knowledge of the terror and destruction caused by fire.

2.    Families with children, senior citizens, and handicapped members have special fire protection needs. Home sprinkler systems provide added        protection for these people.

3.    In case of a home fire, firefighters will have less risk of injury or life loss since they will be fighting a fire of less intensity.

4.    Allocation of community resources can be improved with the adoption of home sprinkler technology.

5.    Communities will be able to make better utilization of available land and thereby increase their tax base.

6.    Insurance discount - Insurance from homeowner underwriters will vary depending on type of coverage. The discounts now range between        5-15%, with a projected increase in available discounts.


Q: How often should my system be inspected?

A: NFPA 25 lists its recommendations to frequency of inspections related to the fire sprinkler system. Contact us for more details.


Q: Is there anything I can do?

A:
1.    Do not hang anything from any part of the sprinkler system

2.    Notify your sprinkler company if any modifications to the building are underway

3.    Do not paint over any sprinkler head

4.    Always report any issues with your system immediately

5.    Make sure the control valves are in the open position

6.    Do not stack items, (such as boxes) too close to fire sprinklers.

7.    Make sure the f.d.c. (fire department connection) outside of the building can be seen. Keep trees, shrubs, etc.. trimmed.


Q: How does inspection affect my insurance rate?

A: Buildings with sprinkler coverage typically benefit from reduced insurance rates.


Q: Are there other financial benefits for maintaining a sprinkler system?

A: Consider owning your fire sprinkler system like owning a car. It requires maintenance. Routine maintenance can prevent potentially very costly repairs.


Q: What liability should I be concerned with?

A: Recent court decisions have held building owners and managers liable because they did not have a fire sprinkler system in a building which had a fire. Even though sprinkler systems were not required in these buildings by fire or building codes, owners still had to pay out millions of dollars. Similarly, an owner or manager of a building with a fire sprinkler system would be held liable if he failed to maintain that system in a working condition.
In addition, owners and managers of commercial and business facilities have an obligation to maintain safe conditions for employees and occupants. By working in a sprinklered building, employees come to expect a certain level of protection. It is incumbent on the owner to maintain this level of protection.


Q: Will smoke set off the sprinkler system?

A: No! It takes actual heat, usually 165 degrees Fahrenheit, to set off a sprinkler.


Q: When one sprinkler goes off, won't they all go off?

A: Only in Hollywood. Each Sprinkler must be activated in order to discharge


Q: Can sprinklers discharge accidentally?

A: Loss records of Factory Mutual Research indicate that the probability of a standard response spray sprinkler discharging accidentally due to a manufacturing defect is only 1 in 16,000,000 sprinklers per year in service.


Q: I own a building but it isn't occupied. Do I need to maintain my

sprinkler system?

A: Yes. Having a sprinkler system in the building gives the impression that it is fully functioning. Make sure if you own a wet system and the building is not occupied that you keep the temperature above 40 degrees. A lot of times people forget their system is charged, and when the weather turns to freezing conditions the sprinkler system also freezes, pipes burst, and then you are looking at potentially a lot of damage.