{"id":1380,"date":"2024-05-13T12:52:50","date_gmt":"2024-05-13T12:52:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wmfireprotection.com\/blog\/?p=1380"},"modified":"2024-05-13T17:17:35","modified_gmt":"2024-05-13T17:17:35","slug":"home-sprinklers-protecting-more-than-just-a-house","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wmfireprotection.com\/blog\/home-sprinklers-protecting-more-than-just-a-house\/","title":{"rendered":"Home Sprinklers: Protecting More Than Just a House"},"content":{"rendered":"

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from the Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition<\/em><\/p>\n

Residential sprinkler systems, as the name suggests, are designed to put out fires that can happen in places where people live, including homes, apartments, and condos. But their impact goes beyond protecting the people and property inside the residence\u2014a properly installed residential sprinkler system can benefit first responders, the environment, and the community, too.<\/p>\n

First Responders<\/strong><\/p>\n

If a fire starts, the closest sprinkler activates automatically in response to the high heat from a fire. That controls and often extinguishes the flames, reduces the spread of toxic and damaging smoke, and provides time for occupants to escape. When sprinklers are present, fire is kept to the room of origin 96% of the time (NFPA). In most home fires, only one or two sprinklers will control the blaze. In fires in unsprinklered homes, the fire spreads widely and more rooms fill with dangerous heat, toxic smoke, and uncontrolled fire, and increase the risk of structural collapse.<\/p>\n

All of those conditions create hazardous conditions for first responders who battle the blaze. Firefighters are 11 times more likely to be injured fighting structure fires; 87% of their injuries occur there (USFA 2019). The risk is not limited to fire exposure. Firefighters today face a 9% increase in cancer diagnoses and a 14% increase in cancer-related deaths, compared to the general population in the U.S. (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health 2017). By reducing the spread and volume of a residential fire, home sprinkler systems are one of the most effective methods to protect first responders from fire and exposure hazards.<\/p>\n

Environment<\/strong><\/p>\n

Home fire sprinklers also reduce impacts on the environment. In 2010, FM Global conducted a groundbreaking study of the environmental impact of fire sprinklers. Their research showed that when residential sprinkler systems are installed:<\/p>\n