The National Fire Protection Association (“NFPA”) and the Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition have come together to champion Home Fire Sprinkler Week on May 14-20, 2023. This event is dedicated to promoting the importance of home fire sprinklers in preventing the loss of life and property caused by fires. This week is an opportunity to highlight the benefits of having a home fire sprinkler system installed.
Fires can happen anytime, anywhere, and to anyone. It only takes a few seconds for a fire to start, and in just a matter of minutes, it can grow out of control and cause significant damage. In the United States, on average, seven people die in home fires every day, and home fires result in over $7 billion in property damage annually. These statistics are alarming, but the good news is that home fire sprinklers can help!
Home fire sprinklers are automatic fire suppression systems that activate when a fire is detected, spraying water directly on the flames and slowing down their spread. Fire sprinklers can extinguish or control a fire until the fire department arrives, giving occupants more time to escape safely and reducing the risk of injury or death.
The benefits of home fire sprinklers are clear. They can save lives, protect property, and reduce the risk of injuries and deaths from fire. According to NFPA, when a home fire occurs, the presence of fire sprinklers leads to an 82% reduction in the risk of death and a 97% reduction in overall fire damage. But, despite the benefits, many homeowners are still hesitant to install home fire sprinklers. One of the main reasons is the misconception that home fire sprinklers are expensive and difficult to install. However, the truth is that home fire sprinklers are more affordable and easier to install than many people realize. The cost of a home fire sprinkler system is typically around 1-2% of the total cost of building a new home, and it can be retrofitted into existing homes as well. Our Director of Business Development retrofitted one of his homes, sprinklered another from original construction, and our Chief Engineer is currently sprinklering a new home currently under construction.
This Home Fire Sprinkler Week, it’s essential to raise awareness of the benefits of home fire sprinklers and to encourage homeowners to take action to protect their families and homes. Here are a few things that you can do:
- Spread the word: Share information about home fire sprinklers with your friends, family, and community.
- Get informed: Visit the Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition’s website for more information about home fire sprinklers, including how they work, how much they cost, and how to get them installed.
- Get involved: Contact your local fire department or fire sprinkler association to find out about events in your area and ways to get involved.
- Install home fire sprinklers: If you’re building a new home or planning a renovation, consider installing home fire sprinklers. If you already own a home, talk to a fire sprinkler contractor to see if retrofitting is an option.
Home Fire Sprinkler Week is an important reminder of the need to protect our families and homes from fire. By raising awareness of the benefits of home fire sprinklers and encouraging homeowners to act, we can help prevent loss of life and property due to fires.