At a Glance
Residential Sprinklers Save Lives
Sprinklers were present in an estimated 23,675, or 7 percent, of reported home structure fires per year from 2017-21. This is according to the National Fire Protection Agency.
Fires with home sprinklers resulted in a(n):
- 89% lower civilian death rate
- 31% lower civilian injury rate
- 48% lower firefighter injury rate
- 55% lower average property loss per fire
Performance and reliability
- Sprinklers operated in 95% of fires large enough to activate them.
- When sprinklers operated, they were 98% effective at controlling the fire.
- Fires were successfully controlled in 93% of the fires large enough to trigger sprinklers.
Number of sprinklers needed
- 85% of fires were controlled by one sprinkler.
- 99% of fires were controlled by five or fewer sprinklers.
Fire spread containment
Fires were confined to the object or room of origin in 96% of fires with sprinklers, compared with 72% of fires where no sprinklers were present.
How Residential Sprinklers Work
Each sprinkler head activates individually when its heat-sensitive element (typically a glass bulb or fusible link) reaches its activation temperature.
Sprinklers generally activate only over the seat of the fire — not the whole house — minimizing water damage compared with a fire department’s hose stream.
Residential systems often use the same water supply as the rest of the home or have a dedicated supply with a small pump/valve.
New Construction
New constructions are the most cost-effective. The average incremental cost for new construction can vary, but estimates are generally between $1 to $2.50 per square foot. Estimates vary by region, house complexity, and local labor costs. Talk with your builder for a clear estimate.
Existing Homes
Adding sprinklers to an existing home is usually more expensive due to wall/ceiling work, working with current plumbing, and labor effort.
Costs vary widely. Obtain local contractor quotes.
Incentives
- Government: Local jurisdictions can offer incentives for building or retrofitting your home with a sprinkler system.
- Builders/contractors: Some may offer incentive programs, rebates, or builder trade-up programs.
- Insurance discounts: Some insurers offer discounts for homes with sprinkler systems. Check with your carrier.
Before You Install
Consider these items before installing a home sprinkler system:
- Plan early when possible: Design new homes with sprinkler pipe routes and stub-outs in framing to reduce costs and visible piping.
- Choose the right standard: For a single-family home, NFPA 13D is common. Talk with your municipality and a licensed fire protection contractor to determine what works best for you.
- Water supply and pressure: Make sure your water supply meets flow and pressure needs. Some homes need a small pump or a stored water supply for reliable operation.
- Appearance: There are low-profile and concealed sprinkler head options for ceilings. Experienced contractors can minimize visual impact.
Maintenance and Testing
Once you have a home sprinkler system, maintenance is key to make sure everything continues to work properly.
- Inspect visible parts monthly. Check for leaks and obstructions.
- Have a licensed professional perform periodic inspections and tests per NFPA recommendations and local code. They should check valves, pressure, and any pumps.
- Keep heads unobstructed. Avoid paint, decorations, and close shelving.
- Replace old or corroded heads to help avoid failures.
A. Fire sprinklers go off when a heat-sensitive trigger, such as a glass bulb or fusible link, melts or breaks due to sustained heat from a fire. This will release a plug and allow water to flow onto the flames.
A. No. Only the sprinkler(s) closest to the fire are activated, providing rapid water application to control or extinguish the fire before it spreads.
A. Sprinklers generally protect homes from damage. The National Fire Protection Agency says there is an average of 55% less property loss per fire in homes with sprinklers.
A. Reduce visual impact by choosing modern, low-profile, and concealed heads. Professionals also can color-match the design to your home. Discuss design options with a local, licensed professional.
A. Not often, and when they do it's usually because the system was previously shut off or there was manual intervention. The National Fire Protection Agency says sprinklers operated effectively at 89% of fires where they were present. When sprinklers failed, 61% of the time the system had been shut off and 15% of the time there was manual intervention. Other reasons for failure were damaged components, lack of maintenance, or the system wasn't right for the type of fire.
A. Yes. Working smoke detectors are crucial to keeping you safe in a house fire. Get out as soon as a smoke detector sounds.
Homeowner Checklist
▢ Contact building codes department or consult with a qualified professional to determine requirement in your area.
▢ Get at least two to three bids from licensed fire protection contractors. Verify their licenses and ask for references.
▢ Ask contractors to show the expected cost per square foot and what options are available to you. You may be able to get concealed heads or update piping routes.
▢ Ask insurance company about credits or incentives for installed sprinklers.
▢ Plan for maintenance. Get an annual professional inspection and do monthly visual checks.
Disclaimer: This is only intended to be an informational, introductory guide. Please consult with a local licensed professional or approved installation contractor before making decisions.
