It’s nice to have access to 911 when you need it, but adding a residential fire sprinkler can bring immediate help to a fire emergency – possibly saving lives.

Plumbing an internal fire sprinkler isn’t a difficult proposition. If you’ve been thinking about it, here are some reasons it’s become easier to do.

There are only three materials approved for sprinklers:

• Steel
• Copper
• PVC

Materials approved must meet safety guidelines for toxicity in extreme heat environments. Of these three approved materials, PVC is only allowable if it is protected behind a fire-rated barrier. That additional expense can be avoided if garages, crawl spaces, attics and other exposed areas are also avoided, but those areas really need protection.

Steel is more difficult to manipulate when threading it into enclosed areas. Threading the pipe accurately can present problems, especially when trying to miss walls above.

Copper is lightweight, easy to cut on the job and thread through existing walls. It’s recyclable and won’t emit toxic fumes when exposed to high temperatures. Copper will be around a long time, and for a residential sprinkler system, we believe it’s the best material to use.

Let us assess your home to see if a residential sprinkler system is a good installation idea for you. We believe it is, but also believe you need to understand how the system will work, what it will cost, and where it should be located for maximum effectiveness. Call our office today, 972-424-6479