About a year ago, I could tell that there were some things that needed to change at home. For starters, I felt really strangely about all the windows on my property, and I knew that I wanted to change them. I began going through and working to make things better, and it was really interesting to invest in technologies that were so beneficial. It made it easy to make sure that my doors were closed and that my windows were locked, and I was grateful for the new technology. This blog is all about home technologies that could help your family.
If one of your New Year's resolutions is improving your home security, you may want to consider updating your fire alarm system. You may already have a system that alerts you of smoke, but do you have fire sprinklers in your home? If not, you may want to consider adding this protective measure since you can get insurance discounts and increase your home's value. Here are a few options to consider for your home.
Control-Mode Sprinklers
Control-mode sprinklers are often used in residential areas instead of early suppression, fast-response (ESFR) sprinkler systems. While ESFR systems can suppress a fire better than control-mode ones, they can be very expensive for residential use. They are mainly used for high-occupancy buildings or large warehouses. But while control-mode sprinklers are only rated for "controlling" a fire until firefighters arrive, they can be satisfactory at extinguishing fires if you live in a smaller home. And they are much more affordable than ESFR systems.
Decorative Sprinklers
There are many sub-categories within the decorative sprinkler category, but the main feature of them all is that they're hidden. This is a great benefit if you don't want your sprinklers to be an eyesore on your ceiling. For instance, you could still get a pendent sprinkler head (often seen in hotel rooms), but it could be recessed or hidden in a plastic case or light bulb. Some of these hidden sprinklers are contained in thermal-sensitive liquids, so when a fire starts, the liquid will expand and break the bulb, thus releasing the sprinkler head into view.
Residential Sprinklers
While some sprinkler types can be used in either homes or commercial buildings, there are some that are strictly for residential use. Residential sprinklers are meant to protect people in the room where the fire started rather than spraying the whole building.
Residential sprinklers are different than quick-response sprinklers (often seen in schools or office buildings). Quick-response sprinklers discharge water higher up on the walls. This kind of sprinkler system keeps fires from climbing. But since most homes are just one or two stories, the higher water discharge is usually unnecessary unless your builder recommends it. Residential sprinklers will only release individual sprinkler heads when they are triggered by fire-specific temperatures. Because these sprinklers are only tripped in specific areas, you can save your home from water damage that more extensive-coverage sprinklers could cause.
Lastly, residential sprinklers often use a wet-pipe over a dry-pipe system. In wet-pipe systems, the sprinkler is connected to piping that has water under pressure. When the sprinkler goes off, water immediately discharges. With dry-pipe systems, you have pressurized nitrogen or air instead of water. This air holds a remote water valve in a closed position until it is needed. Wet-pipe residential systems are great for homeowners since they are more affordable, easier to maintain, and easier to install.
Contact security companies like Eastern Fire to learn more about the pros and cons between different fire sprinklers.
Share2 January 2019
