Everything You Need to Know About Fire Sprinklers

10/3/2022 (Permalink)

If you own a business, fire sprinklers are something that should be taken seriously.

Everything You Need to Know About Fire Sprinklers

If you own a business, fire sprinklers are something that should be taken seriously. They are an important part of your facility and can help save lives in the event of a fire. While fire sprinklers may seem intimidating to many people, they really aren't as scary as you may think. Here is what you need to know about these devices:

What is a Fire Sprinkler?

A fire sprinkler is a device that automatically releases water onto burning fires to extinguish the flames. These devices are engineered for use in commercial buildings, and they play a critical role in keeping people safe from fire. A properly installed and maintained system will put out fires before they become too large or spread too quickly.

All sprinklers can be activated by certain conditions: heat, smoke, or other indicators of a possible blaze. When these conditions are detected, a small amount of water is sprayed onto the fire source to suppress it until firefighters arrive on the scene.

Fire Sprinklers Save Lives

If you are a homeowner, it is important to know that fire sprinklers can save lives. Fire sprinkler systems are required by law in most commercial places and they can be installed in a variety of locations, including businesses and other non-residential spaces.

Fire sprinklers are often thought of as something that exists only in businesses, but the truth is that they also provide an important service in homes. It's easy to forget about how important these devices are until you need them most—when there is an emergency situation at hand, such as a fire or flood. In addition to providing safety against fires themselves, fire sprinklers often prevent damage from spreading. They do this through their ability to limit oxygen supply within their areas of coverage. When a sprinkler head is activated by heat or smoke detection, it floods the room with water.

What Do I Do When They Go Off?

If your fire sprinklers go off, you should shut off the water valve first thing and then call a professional to help you clean up. You need to ensure that your insurance coverage is adequate and that you have an inspection plan in place for your sprinkler system. Additionally, it's important to know that your maintenance program should be in place as well.

What Happens If They Unexpectedly Activate?

If your fire sprinkler turns on unexpectedly (and without a fire), make sure to shut off the water valve first thing so you don't create extra water damage problems. The water valve is usually located near the fire sprinkler or in an outside faucet. Shutting off this valve will stop any further flow of water into your home and prevent further damage from occurring.

Water damage can quickly enter a structure after a fire sprinkler activates. Water seeping into walls, floors, and other parts of your home can cause mold growth or lead to structural issues such as cracks or rot down the road.

Fire sprinkler cleanup for business professionals

If your home or business has just experienced a fire sprinkler activation, you may be wondering how to clean up the mess. Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to make sure that no lasting damage is done by the water and other debris that comes with it.

• First, we recommend taking some time to be sure everyone in your building is safe before stepping foot inside again. Once you feel it's safe to proceed, turn off any power sources in the area that might have been damaged by the water (like electrical outlets). 
• Next, remove anything from the area that was impacted by the water from the sprinkler and place them safely aside until they can be cleaned up later on. 
• Then call the professionals to help clean up your home or business.

The best way to keep your fire sprinklers happy is to make sure that they are always in good working condition. You can check this by making sure there aren't any leaks or clogs inside the pipes, and that there isn't too much water pressure coming through them (since too much pressure can cause damage).

For help with cleanup after a fire or an unexpected trigger of your fire sprinkler system in your Auburn, WA home or business, give SERVPRO a call!