Is a Residential Sprinkler System Required in Your Home?

Did you know that in most parts of the country, installation of a fire sprinkler system is required in new homes? Local government codes vary, but you may not be used to seeing them in homes in our area. For instance, a sprinkler system is required in a Prescott home that is 5,000 square feet or greater. They are also mandatory, regardless of square footage, in those subdivisions that do not have fire hydrants or if a property has a steep driveway or could be difficult to reach with a fire engine.

Most systems are installed to cover a 16-foot by 16-foot area, so a standard-size bedroom may have up to two sprinkler heads. Each head is heat-activated, so smoke from a fireplace, a candle or burning your favorite fish dish won’t set the system off. It’s only the heat from the proper temperature that will trigger the water from the system. Fire sprinkler heads have a glass bulb with fluid inside. When the fire reaches 165 degrees, the fluid expands and breaks the glass bulb, letting the water run through the fire sprinkler and extinguish the fire.

If you happen to be buying a home with a sprinkler system, we want to ease your mind if you have any concerns. First, these systems are very sophisticated. Unlike what you see in the movies, the sprinklers do not all activate at the same time. Most systems are not interconnected, so when one goes off, the whole house won’t go off. This, of course, saves you from more clean-up and water damage. Second, they are designed to save your home and lives, and like we said, more and more homes are installing them at the start of construction. Also, they can help with homeowners’ insurance rates.

Please keep in mind that they will need to be inspected before you close on your new home. Many other items in a closing inspection come to mind, but a sprinkler system doesn’t. We’re often called out at the last minute on many inspections, to help make the closing date. Also, just like the required maintenance on your heating and air conditioning units, you should have your sprinkler system inspected annually. We do this not by letting off water in your home, but by doing a controlled water flow test. It is also important to inspect your sprinkler heads monthly to make sure nothing is blocking the sprinklers or interfering with the heads. If you have a water tank that delivers water to the system, make sure it’s also checked monthly.

If you have any questions about your residential sprinkler system, or if you are thinking you’d like one installed, please contact us and let us help with any questions you may have. QCBN

By Jon and Jamie Aten

Jon and Jamie Aten are the owners of All West Fire & Security. All West Fire & Security, a family-owned business, has been keeping Arizonans safe in Prescott for nearly 30 years. They’ve designed and installed thousands of fire protection and security systems for industrial, commercial, residential and special hazard clients. They work closely with architects and contractors to ensure your new construction or remodeling project meets all safety code requirements. All West Fire & Security are experts in smart home automation, state-of-the-art fire suppression systems, inspections, sprinklers, fire alarms, fire extinguishers, monitoring, intrusion alarms, security cameras, badge access systems, backflow certifications, and more.