Should I Handle My Own Fire Sprinkler Installation?

When it comes to protecting yourself from the threat of a fire, no option compares to fire sprinklers. They don’t need anyone to operate them, nor does anyone have to be around to even activate them. They contain the fire as much as possible so it doesn’t spread, and they limit the amount of property damage done. For all these reasons and more, you should be considering fire sprinkler installation. However, if you’re looking to save a buck or simply enjoy a good project, you may also be considering handling the project on your own. Before you do, let’s take a look at fire sprinkler installation and some things you should know.

Handling Fire Sprinkler Installation on Your Own

The truth of the matter is that you have a number of options for installing your own fire sprinkler system. Thanks to the Internet, all the parts are out there. So long as you have an understanding of your piping system, you may very well be able to pull off an installation. Plus, the actual fire sprinklers only need to be connected to the pipes. Their design ensures they’ll go off if a fire happens.

That being said, this doesn’t mean handling your own fire sprinkler installation is a good idea. The American Fire Sprinkler Association is very much opposed to the idea of anyone without formal training attempting this process.

For one thing, they recommend that you only use materials approved by the National Fire Protection Association and that your installation meets their standards. Even with the Internet on your team, you may have a hard time pulling his off. Meeting their standards may also be difficult if you’re not sure on what exactly they mean.

Plus, you need to consider your insurance company. Many providers lower your premiums after a fire sprinkler installation. However, chances are they’re also very specific about who can handle it. If you’re not licensed, credentialed, certified, etc., there’s a good chance your insurance company doesn’t want you doing it. They may not lower your premium or, in the event of a fire, they may not be legally obligated to help you. 

Saving some money upfront really won’t be worth it then.

Your home may never catch fire (hopefully), but it can still take on plenty of damage if you try installing your own sprinkler system. The process involves altering the supply of water to your home meaning you’ll be giving it access to just about every room. This isn’t anything to worry about so long as the installation is handled correctly. However, if it’s not, you could have a pipe break or a sprinkler head drop out and all your hard work will simply net you one wet house.

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The Cost of Professional Fire Sprinkler Installation

Plus, the fact of the matter is that having a professional install your sprinkler heads really isn’t that expensive. Many people may actually find that, because of their specialized tools and knowledge, letting a professional handle things is actually cheaper; it will definitely save you time.

Last year, the Fire Protection Research Foundation updated their Home Fire Sprinkler Cost Assessment Report. By their estimates, installing fire sprinklers in your home should only cost about $1.35 for every square foot of coverage in a home still under construction. That’s down more than 20% from 2008. Plus, people pay around the same amount to upgrade their carpets, pave a stone driveway or install a whirlpool bath. Those are all nice additions, to be sure, but none of them will save you and your family’s lives.

Furthermore, all the data shows that home sprinkler systems are becoming increasingly popular. This means that your investment may also help you sell your home down the road as consumers become more familiar with the feature and start demanding it in houses they consider. To some degree, that trend has already begun as homes with sprinkler systems consistently sell faster than those without.

Lastly, check with your local municipality. Having a professional handle your fire sprinkler installation may also net you a nice little tax rebate.

Homes with sprinklers installed are better off for a number of reasons. They’ll save lives and money in the event of a fire and may even help your budget in the meantime. However, if you plan on installing them on your own, you’ll be putting all this at risk.

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How to Keep your Sprinkler System Properly Maintained

This article discusses some of the methods a user can employ to upkeep or maintain a fire sprinkler system. These should be done in conjunction with regular professional inspections and maintenance

One of the most effective ways of insuring safety in the event of a fire is to install a fire sprinkler system during the construction of a building or to add a system to an existing building through retrofitting. Retrofitting may be expensive but the benefits derived in terms of safety and peace of mind are often worth the cost. In new homes, however, a system may be a minor cost to bear and a great asset to have over the years once they are kept in working condition through regular maintenance.

Proper Maintenance of a fire sprinkler system requires training as well as careful attention to detail. As an owner you may achieve some basic aspects of maintenance on your own between regular visits by a certified technician. Your first aim in maintaining your system would be to ensure that all occupants of the building are aware of its function and treat it as such. The use of paint or hanging decorations on the sprinkler head itself is not permitted and these ground rules should be passed on to any decorators or other personnel who may not be regular users but may need to make aesthetic changes to the room. The heads of the sprinklers should also be generally off-limits to unnecessary contact as an accidental pat may land with enough force to damage something internal without the user’s knowledge.

Even without human interference a sprinkler head may become obstructed by dust, spiderwebs and other small particles so these should be looked at carefully at least once a month to ensure that they are clear and can facilitate the free flow of water in the event of an emergency. When checking these things also look about for general differences in the appearance of your system. If something seems different and causes you concern you should call in the company that put the system in for maintenance or another reputable firm if they are unavailable.

Professional maintenance will begin with the arrival of your technician who will check the area the system occupies for anything that may keep your sprinklers from functioning. The technician may then take a look at each sprinkler head to assess if it is properly placed, capable of functioning and properly labeled. This will also been done for the associated valves. Tests will be done on the water pressure delivered to the sprinklers to ensure that it is adequate to put out a blaze.

The Sprinkler alarm is a vital part of the usability of the device and if it were to fail the rest of the system would be useless to you in a disaster so this par of the sprinkler system will be carefully checked by your technician as well. Having done this and other tests, they will give you any recommendations on how to remedy any issues they have encountered with your sprinkler system and record the details of the inspection for further reference. With regular upkeep your fire sprinkler system can be counted on to keep your property safe for years.

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