Quote:
Originally posted by j8ear
I asked the following a while back...
Questions about sprinklers. Most new contruction also requires sprinkler systems installations. Is this wise? Is it cost effective? Are there more reasonable precautions that can be taken to prevent needing fire retardation? Should existing single family homes be upgraded to include sprinkler systems?
grateful,
-bear
But did not get an answer. Hoping this was just an oversight.
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my apologies, i must have missed it.
not all, or even most new construction requires sprinklers, first of all. the NFPA would like sprinklers in all new commercial buildings, but the building codes, like BOCA, and the ICC, recognize that this just isnt possible. so for the most part, any building under 10,000 square feet is exempt from the sprinkler requirements in new construction.
now honestly, i dont think thats wise. without going into other details, if that night club in Rhode Island, the station, has a sprinkler system in it, most of those people wouldnt have died.
perhaps im biased, being in the industry and all, but i cant think of one single time when sprinklers arent wise choice. first of all, they arent really all that expensive in relation to other construction systems, like HVAC or plumbing. they are safe, provide a reasonable assurance of safety to the building occupants, and in some instances allow an architect or construction manager to do more with a building. there is also the related insurance benefits. you get a hefty discount for having a sprinkler system installed in a building. and lets not forget that the cost of a sprinkler system is normally amortized in 10 to 20 years. there is a bill currently in congress that will lower that to 5.
plus, in the case of renovations to existing structures, its not like you have to do everything at once. most fire marshal's are more than happy if a company wants to phase its sprinkler work over the course of a couple of years. this is actually quite common, especially in the case of schools, where you only have the summer break to install the piping. the use of plastic piping products, like CPVC has also drastically reduced the installation time of sprinkler systems in residential, and light hazard occupancies, again making the cost cheaper.
in reality, buildings are getting safer, and more fire resistive. the continuing trend of using metal and concrete is making it cheaper to use, and also safer for all of us. unfortunately, even if the buildings are fire resistive, the things placed inside arent. you have paper, wood furniture, plastics of all sorts, electrical components, etc etc. all that stuff burns. no matter what you do to make a building more "fire safe" the fuel load will always remain a constant. unless you run something like a concrete factory, i guess.
as for residential systems, i think they are a wonderful idea. unfortunately, they are expensive to retrofit, because of the requirements to keep the piping hidden. its much easier to install a sprinkler system in a new home before the drywall has gone up. sadly, many home builders REFUSE to even give people the OPTION of having a sprinkler system installed in their house. they claim that they arent proven, and that they are concerned about the possibility of leaks, but history has shown time and again how life-saving, and if installed by a competent contractor, durable sprinkler systems are.
i think it would be impossible to make people retrofit existing dwellings with sprinklers, and very difficult to require them in new home construction. however, i believe that people should at least be given the option of having one installed.
did i mention that you get a 10% discount off your homeowners insurance when you have one installed?