Nearly one in ten fires in the US occur in non-residential structures. If you own or manage large non-residential properties, such as offices or stadiums, how can you keep the risk of fire at bay? Sprinklers are an invaluable solution. They are the most immediate response available to commercial properties in the event of a fire. Fire sprinklers don’t run on computer systems that can fail.
Rather, a simple mechanism that responds to heat disperses water as soon as the temperature rises. Your own property fights back against the fire before first responders even arrive.
Besides knowing how fire sprinklers work, commercial property managers need to know how to install them. To equip you, read this brief guide on choosing and installing the correct fire sprinkler system.
1. Choose the Right Type of System
Fire sprinklers come in four designs:
- Wet pipe
- Dry pipe
- Deluge
- Pre-action
Wet pipe is the most common and standard installation. The sprinkler pipes stay full of water, ready to release in case of fire.
If you don’t want to keep the pipes full of pressurized water, dry pipe is the favored solution. This means that in cold environments, or in less frequently occupied buildings, the pipes won’t freeze and burst.
Deluge systems don’t store pressurized water, but the sprinkler heads are open at all times. These types of fire sprinklers are popular in buildings that are a high fire risk, such as some warehouses.
Finally, pre-action systems keep the pipes dry, making accidental leakage impossible. Unlike dry pipe systems, this is the one approach that uses an electric valve. When the valve is triggered by heat or another factor, the water floods in and is sprayed through the sprinkler heads.
2. Choose the Right Fire Sprinkler Specs
Once you’ve chosen a system, move on to the specifics. These details include:
- Pipe size
- Sprinkler head style
- Number of sprinkler heads
Getting these details right ensures the system responds with the appropriate amount of water to address a fire. And that wherever a fire breaks out, there are sufficient sprinklers to counter it.
3. Consult with the Professionals
As a property owner or manager, it’s not your job to be an expert in pipe sizing and water pressure. It’s ours.
Working with professional fire sprinkler installation teams ensures you have the right system for your properties. This also avoids leakage disasters due to incorrect installation choices.
The best way to install fire sprinklers is with teams who can help you through each choice, identifying which systems and specs work best for your building.
Install the Best Fire Sprinklers for Your Property
Reliable fire sprinklers are the fastest way to deal with a property fire. Without them, your warehouse, campus, or plant could go up in flames before firefighters can respond. And fire damage is far more devastating than any water damage you’ll sustain.
Choosing the system best suited to your site requires consulting with the professionals. We’re experts in the exact piping size, water pressure, and sprinkler heads your property needs.
Let us help you find the perfect solution for your buildings. Get in touch with us today to request a quote for sprinkler installation in your properties.
