SFMO: Fire Sprinklers Protect Property and Lives During A Fire

NASHVILLE – As fire departments across Tennessee commemorate National Fire Prevention Week (Oct. 4-10), the Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) reminds consumers that home fire sprinklers are the best way to successfully protect homes, property and lives during a fire.

To demonstrate how fire sprinklers can save lives and property during a fire, the National Fire Sprinkler Association (NFSA) partnered with the SFMO and other partners to conduct a side-by-side burn staged Oct. 6 near the Bicentennial Mall State Park Plaza in Nashville. Two identical rooms – one with fire sprinklers and one without fire sprinklers – were set on fire during the demonstration. Fire sprinklers quickly contained the blaze in the sprinklered room while the room without sprinklers was consumed by flames in just a few minutes. To see a brief video of the demonstration, visit the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance’s Facebook page.

"A sprinkler system’s quick reaction reduces the heat, flames, and smoke produced in a fire, allowing people more time to escape,” said Gary West, Deputy Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance.  “Tennesseans’ lives and property can be saved with a complete fire protection package that includes fire sprinklers.”

Other partners in the event include the Tennessee Fire Service Coalition, the Tennessee Fire Chiefs Association, the Tennessee Fire Safety Inspectors Association and the Tennessee Fire Sprinkler Contractors Association.

To raise awareness of fire sprinklers, the SFMO is offering these tips about fire sprinklers for homeowners:

Home fire sprinklers activate on an individual basis. Only the sprinkler closest to the fire will activate, spraying water on the fire and not the rest of the home.

A home fire sprinkler can control or put out a fire with a fraction of the water that would be used by fire department hoses.

Accidental sprinkler discharges are rare.

Home fire sprinklers can be installed in new or existing homes. If you are remodeling or building your home, install a home fire sprinkler system.

Have a qualified contractor install your home fire sprinkler system according to NFPA codes and standards and local fire safety regulations.

Home fire sprinklers work along with smoke alarms to save lives.

The home fire sprinkler installer must provide instructions on inspecting, testing, and maintaining the system, a simple process that can be performed by the home occupant.

A visual inspection should be done each month to ensure that the water valve on the sprinkler system is open.

Make sure that your home fire sprinkler system is working properly by

(A) Conducting a visual inspection of all home fire sprinklers to make sure nothing is blocking them and nothing is hung from or attached to them. This should be done each month.

(B) Conducting a water flow test on the sprinkler system every six months or having a fire sprinkler contractor do the test to ensure all water flow devices are working.

(C) Keeping home fire sprinklers clear and free of objects that can interfere with their proper use.

(D) Inspecting tanks, if present, each month to make sure that they are full.

(E) Starting the pump each month if you have one to make sure that it works and that it does not trip any circuit breakers.

(F) Not painting fire sprinklers. If you are painting, cover the sprinkler head with a bag and remove after the work is done.

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