Myths and Facts

Sprinklers have been proven to reduce the impact of fire. They are a potentially life-saving tool that bring many benefits. There are some common misconceptions about sprinklers. It is important that these sprinkler myths are dispelled.

Watch a video from the National Fire Chiefs Council on myths and misconceptions about sprinklers (external website). 

Fact

Only the sprinkler head(s) directly affected by the fire is triggered, they each need heat to operate see how they work here.

Fact

Sprinklers attack the fire quickly and directly whilst the fire is still small, so less water is needed. As they also usually operate the fire alarm, they can be quickly turned off when the fire is out. But without sprinklers the fire grows until the fire service arrives fire fighters will need to use much more water to extinguish the much bigger fire!

Fact

Operational smoke detectors do save lives, however they do nothing to extinguish or control a growing fire.

 

Fact

The odds of winning the lottery are greater than the 16 million to one chance of a sprinkler malfunction.

 

The truth

Modern sprinklers are specially designed to meet the needs of architects in offices, hotels, shops, hospitals and prestige buildings. They are compact and in most buildings the public are usually unaware that sprinklers are fitted.

Miniature sprinklers are little bigger than a 50p piece and are neat with a concealing cover painted to match any colour scheme.

Concealed sprinklers are recessed and covered by a flat plate flush with the ceiling. They are unobtrusive and almost invisible and provide defence against accidental mechanical damage.

Fact

Reports of water damage from fires in buildings with sprinklers are often exaggerated. Only the sprinklers over a fire open. All the others stay shut. A sprinkler opening by accident is almost unheard of.

Firefighters often use significantly more water from hoses to do the same job as a sprinkler.

A valuable item sprayed with water from a sprinkler as it puts out a fire can usually be recovered or restored. One that is burnt to a cinder and flushed down the drain by a fire hose is another matter!

If there is a fire the water from one or two sprinklers is a small price to pay for saving a complete building, its contents or even a life.