Fire Protection Contractors

Requirements vary by jurisdiction. The International Residential Code has required fire sprinklers in new one- and two-family homes since 2009, but many states have amended this out. California, Maryland, and several other states require residential sprinklers in new construction. Check your local building code or ask your contractor about current requirements in your area.

NFPA 25 requires quarterly visual inspections, annual detailed inspections and testing of water flow alarms and valves, and five-year internal pipe inspections. Commercial systems require more frequent testing than residential. Inspection frequency may increase based on system type, age, and local fire marshal requirements. Missed inspections can result in fines and insurance issues.

Contrary to the movie myth, fire sprinklers activate individually, only at the point of heat. On average, only one or two sprinkler heads activate during a fire, using a fraction of the water that fire department hoses would use. Sprinkler water damage is consistently and dramatically less than the alternative of uncontrolled fire and fire department suppression operations.

Residential fire sprinkler systems in new construction typically cost one to two dollars per square foot, adding roughly one to two percent to total construction cost. Retrofit installations in existing homes cost significantly more due to the complexity of routing pipes through finished spaces. The cost is often offset by insurance premium reductions and may be required for certain building configurations.

Fire alarm monitoring connects your fire alarm system to a central monitoring station that receives alarm signals 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. When an alarm activates, the monitoring station notifies the fire department immediately, even if the building is unoccupied. Commercial fire alarm systems are typically required to be monitored. Monitoring costs vary but are generally modest on a monthly basis.