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Common Fire Sprinkler Myths

We get asked many questions about fire sprinkler systems, so here are the main ones – to help you to understand them a bit better and know a little bit more for your project.

• Modern fire sprinkler systems don’t always need a huge water supply as they can be plumbed into the mains, drawing water only if and when they are activated
• Sprinkler systems are activated by heat and not smoke. They contain a small glass tube of liquid which expands when it reaches the temperature created by the fire – around 57 Celsius.
  It expands and triggers the sprinkler head to release water.
• Burning your toast won’t set fire sprinklers off – because it is heat activated.
• If a sprinkler head is triggered in one location, the other heads around the house are not necessarily activated. You may have seen it differently in films – but that’s just for dramatic effect!
• Sprinkler heads are discreet and blend into a ceiling without ruining the aesthetics of a room.
• Sprinkler systems usually interface with a domestic smoke alarm or fire panel. The system triggers the alarm system, not the other way round.
• Sprinkler heads can be fitted that permit an open plan design to cover the exit routes as required by building control.
• Sprinkler systems can be fitted to older properties as well as new-build ones.
• Sprinkler systems are built to British Standard BS9251:2014.

Get in touch to ask us any questions to help with your fire sprinkler systems installation. Or, follow us on Twitter here to stay up to date with our services.