Sprinkler Facts & Myths

Fire sprinklers are widely recognised as the single most effective method for fighting the spread of fires in their early stages.

Sprinklers protect the lives of firefighters and are fully supported by fire services.

The installation of fire sprinklers could virtually eliminate fire deaths.

When there is a fire all the sprinkler heads go off at once. 
Wrong. Each head is independent and only the head(s) adjacent to the fire go off.

Water damage is as bad as the fire damage.
Wrong. A Typical sprinkler discharges 55 litres per minute. A firefighting hose discharges over 600 litres per minute.

Sprinklers can go off accidentally.
Wrong. Records show that the chance of an accidental discharge from a sprinkler is very rare.

Sprinkler Systems are expensive.
 Wrong. It is estimated that the costs of a sprinkler system can be recovered over a period of about 10 years. This is achieved through reduced insurance premiums and in larger organisations through less disruption to business continuity when a fire occurs.

A smoke detector provides enough protection. 
Fact: Smoke detectors save lives by providing a warning system but can do nothing to extinguish a growing fire or protect those physically unable to escape on their own. Too often, battery operated smoke detectors fail to function because the batteries are dead or have been removed.

I have smoke alarms so I don’t need fire sprinklers. Fact: Smoke alarms are essential in every home. But they can only detect a fire. Fire sprinklers detect the fire and automatically control it, saving lives and property.