The Case For Residential Sprinkler Systems Common misconceptions regarding residential sprinkler systems often deter people from installing one in their own home. The fear of a faulty sprinkler head causing a room to burn and the lingering belief that an uncontrolled room fire will activate the whole system are two of the most common misconceptions. A simple understanding of the nature of these systems will dispel many of these misconceptions and help ensure that your family is safe and has the sprinkler protection they need.
The first misconception to be dispelled is that the only function of a residential sprinkler system is to flood a house. While it is true that certain areas of a building may have problems with flood damage, residential sprinklers can also be used to spray water from a higher elevation to a smaller area. While residential sprinklers have been designed specifically to serve the purpose of flood protection, the sprinkler heads themselves are not intended to cause flooding and can therefore be set to spray water from a lower level or from a higher elevation.
The second misconception is that installing a residential sprinkler system means that all water in a building must be drained immediately after use. This is not necessarily true. Residential sprinklers can be used to protect a structure for as long as 24 hours after use. In addition, when a sprinkler system is installed, it can be programmed to automatically turn itself off after a predetermined amount of time. If a sprinkler system is properly set up and maintained, you will not even have to manually turn it off.
The third misconception is that installing a residential sprinkler system means that your home will be prone to having flooding. While it is true that some buildings may have a higher chance of being damaged by flooding when compared to others, installing residential sprinklers will not increase the chances of damage to your home. It is true that installing a sprinkler system in a building, no matter how small, will protect it from any leaks and other water problems that may occur if there is excess water in the air and water seeping onto your floor and carpets.
Another misconception is that using residential sprinklers means that you will be putting chemicals in your home, which will harm you and your family. This is not necessarily true. Even though chemicals are more expensive than normal sprinkler fluid, they are safer for you and your family, as they are designed to be more efficient at dealing with small areas of water, which will make them ineffective at dealing with larger pools of water.
Finally, you should understand that commercial sprinkler heads, unlike residential sprinkler heads, have no safety valves. Once the sprinkler system is turned on and has completely filled the area, you will be responsible for draining it.
While a residential sprinkler system will certainly provide a significant amount of additional protection, you should keep in mind that it is not a substitute for a commercial sprinkler system. Commercial sprinklers are designed to be installed quickly and without regard for the size of the area being protected. There is also the potential for a system to overfill an area, which can cause a serious problem with the sprinkler heads themselves. When an area is sprayed with commercial sprinklers, the amount of water that is sprayed out will be much greater than what a residential system could spray.
While there are a number of common misunderstandings surrounding residential sprinkler heads, understanding the mechanics of residential sprinklers will help you better appreciate this important equipment. If you are in doubt, contact a professional sprinkler installation service to find out whether or not your area requires sprinklers. The residential sprinkler system will protect your home and your family from potential damage, while also ensuring that it is fully functional at all times.