No. Sprinklers activate quickly and only where needed, using less water than fire hoses.
They are checked twice a year to ensure they are functioning correctly, however, commercial sprinkler systems can require daily, weekly, and monthly checks.
No. Systems designed for homes (BS 9251 and BS8458) are not suitable for car parks.
Conventional sprinkler systems use flame-resistant CPVC (chlorinated polyvinyl chloride) pipework, which has limited flexibility. High-Pressure Mist systems, on the other hand, use pre-engineered hoses that are much more flexible, making them ideal for retrofitting.
Fire sprinkler systems need a large volume of water at a specific pressure. Conventual standard household water supplies are designed to restrict large flows of water to prevent damage resulting from a serious blow-out. This renders a standard domestic supply unsuitable for conventional sprinklers. However, in these cases, a High-Pressure Mist system is the best solution.
Water company policies on fire sprinkler supply vary significantly. Due to the high flow rates required, it’s often not possible to use the existing water supply for a conventional retrofit system. The options are usually a new water supply or a storage system. However, High-Pressure Mist systems can easily run on a standard 22mm domestic supply and often on an 18mm domestic supply. For new builds, connecting directly to the mains supply is usually possible with early planning and obtaining advise from local water undertakers.
While adding water to a fat fire can be dangerous, the large volume from a sprinkler head quickly cools the fire and starves it of oxygen, effectively extinguishing it.
A mains-fed sprinkler system runs until it’s isolated, but modern systems include control circuits that activate sounders to alert nearby individuals. While some versions of the BS 9251 standard no longer require external alarms, installing a sounder on the exterior of your property is recommended for added security.
Fire sprinklers cause far less water damage compared to uncontrolled fires or even the water used by firefighters. They release water directly over the fire, minimizing the affected area.
Yes, they’re widely used in North America, Australia, New Zealand, and many European countries, where residential fire safety is a top priority.
While individual sprinkler heads can’t be tested after installation, each head is rigorously tested during manufacturing. System functionality, including water pressure and flow, is confirmed during installation and through equivalence testing.
Accidental activation is extremely rare. Unlike smoke alarms, which can be triggered by burnt toast, fire sprinklers respond solely to significant heat levels caused by an actual fire.
Most domestic properties fall under 'category one', meaning they require sprinkler protection in all areas except for restrooms under 5m² and cupboards smaller than 2m². However, the Building Control Officer (BCO) can grant exceptions to this rule. It is crucial to contact your BCO early on to determine the level of protection needed for your specific property.
No, this is a common misconception. Each sprinkler head operates independently, activating only when it detects heat in its vicinity (around 68°C). In most cases, one or two sprinklers are sufficient to extinguish a fire.
Most domestic systems require around 1,000 gallons (1,200 litres) of water, weighing approximately 1.2 tonnes. If installed in the loft, 'coffin' water tanks can distribute the weight across multiple joists.