The facts and myths about FIRESTOP Sprinkler Systems

 

The facts:

 

A FIRESTOP Sprinkler System will control and extinguish a fire in its early stages, minimising danger to lives and property and reducing smoke pollution.

 

A FIRESTOP Sprinkler System will save around 95% of the water used by the Fire Service. If FIRESTOP sprinklers were installed in all UK properties, they would save enough water to supply a large city for up to three months.

 

A FIRESTOP Sprinkler System can help save in building costs by making the Building Regulations less onerous, whilst the property is much safer than an unprotected one.

 

A FIRESTOP Sprinkler System could prevent the owner, occupier or employer having to face liability for the consequences of a serious fire if other fire precautions are not adequately maintained.

 

A FIRESTOP Sprinkler System is based on a proven system is use for over 100 years and some of the systems installed then are still in active use today.

 

A FIRESTOP Sprinkler System will continue to support the proven statistic that there has never been a fire death in a property with properly maintained sprinklers in the UK.

 

The myths:

 

Myth: When there is a fire, all the heads go off at once.

 

Fact: It may look good in the movies, but each sprinkler head is independent and only the head or heads adjacent to the fire will trigger.

 

Myth: Water damage caused by FIRESTOP sprinklers is as bad as the fire.

 

Fact: A typical FIRESTOP sprinkler discharges around 60 litres a minute of water.

 

Fire fighters will typically use 1,000 litres of water a minute or more – that’s 95% more water than a FIRESTOP sprinkler.

 

Myth: FIRESTOP sprinklers can go off accidentally flooding the room.

 

Fact: The chances of a FIRESTOP sprinkler going off by accident have been calculated at around 16 million to one.

 

However the chances of you being involved in a fire are around one in five!

 

Myth: I’ve got smoke alarms in my house – surely they will protect me?

 

Fact: All that smoke alarms will do is tell you that you have a fire. The fire will continue to burn more and more fiercely until the Fire Service arrives.

 

By that time, your home and contents could be completely destroyed – and that’s assuming you and your loved ones have escaped unscathed.

 

Myth: FIRESTOP sprinklers are very expensive.

 

Fact: Installing a FIRESTOP Sprinkler System is around the same price as a quality fitted kitchen and there may also be a reduction in insurance premiums.

 

Even if you survive the fire, you could lose all your worldly goods...