Yesterday, I wrote an article that talked about
the costs and challenges of residential fire sprinklers, given that they may soon be required on all new single family homes and townhomes. Some of the data that I provided was provided by the
National Association of Home Builders, who are not in favor of residential code requiring the installation of fire sprinklers.
Today, I received from feedback from two individuals who are advocating for mandatory residential fire sprinklers:
These two residential fire sprinkler advocates offer some good perspectives on the great sprinkler debate, such as:- Fire sprinklers go to work immediately to reduce danger, as opposed to a smoke detector which relies upon human factors.
- Many people assume a sprinkler system would douse an entire home with water, when in fact only the sprinkler(s) in areas affected by fire would be activated in the event of a fire.
- Most structure fires in the U.S. take place in residential properties, yet residential properties don't require sprinkler systems.
Yet with all of the information that both Ryans provided (strange that they share a name), I have not yet received from either of them some feedback on whether the issues that I raised have merit. Specifically....- Is it true that installing a residential fire sprinkler would require different water (more expensive) water lines and water meters?
- Is it true that it is difficult (or impossible) to use a water softener in tandem with a residential fire sprinkler system without having to add a second incoming water line and water meter?
Hopefully we'll get some more feedback from the Ryans --- but I would also be interested in my other blog readers' feedback on residential fire sprinklers:- Cost aside, would you want them in your home?
- If they were optional in a new home, would you be willing to pay to have them included?
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