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Charlie Franklin
Mrs. Hensel
English IV
09 April 2015
Fire Sprinkler Systems
The difference from losing or saving your house can be as simple as having a sprinkler
system. Sprinkler systems are a huge part of firefighting. A lot of people dont know how much
of a difference these systems make during fires. Without sprinkler systems a fire can grow out of
control and destroy anyone or anything in its path. Keeping fires under control, saving properties
and lives and keeping firefighters safe while battling fires are all roles of sprinklers.
Sprinkler systems have been helping fight fires ever since the 1800s. During the 1800s,
perforated pipe systems were used in textile mills all throughout New England as a means of fire
protection (Sturzenbecker). Until the 1940s, sprinkler systems were installed exclusively for the
protection of commercial buildings. The owners of these commercial buildings were generally
able to recoup their expenses with savings in insurance costs. Sprinkler systems were mainly
installed in warehouses and business buildings a few decades ago. Over time, sprinkler systems
are starting to be put in all types of buildings for protection using fire codes. Fire codes are a way
of classifying fire suppress systems to determine where they belong. Codes continue to evolve
through the efforts of the NFSA and its members, more retrofit ordinances have been passed,
and residential sprinklers are now common in multi-family dwellings, as well as in many single
family homes (Home).
The sprinkler is the portion of the sprinkler system that reacts to the heat of a fire and
then delivers water to the fire area. A simple thermally sensitive device controls most automatic

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sprinklers. Common types of these devices are the fusible link and frangible bulb. When there is
fire, the solder in the fusible link melts at its predetermined melting point (Sturzenbecker).
Once melted from being too hot, the bulb breaks and the breaking triggers the lever arms to drop.
As the lever arm drops, the seated cap is released, which permits the water to flow. Automatic
sprinklers are highly effective and reliable elements of total system designs for fire protection in
buildings (Home).
Sprinkler systems prevent the chance of a lost cause or a death by fire by more than half
in a year (Strickland). Sprinkler systems help a fire fighter fight all types of fires in different
types of buildings every day. Having sprinkler systems can help a firefighter get a better idea on
how to contain the emergency. Knowing the best way to approach the incident puts everybody at
a better understanding of the situation. Today, almost every burning building firefighters fight,
sprinkler systems assist them (Home).
Sprinkler systems are a big part in life safety for firefighters. They can dramatically
reduce the heat, flames, and smoke produced in a fire. Fires today are very different than fires
twenty years ago, they burn hotter and faster, this is why it can make a big difference if
sprinklers are in play when fighting fires (Strickland). Sprinkler systems help firefighters
because they have a steady water flow on the fire. The steady flow of water cools the thermal
layering in the room. Cooling the layering in the room helps firefighters see better in fires
(Strickland). The cost of repairs from a fire is cut dramatically while sprinkler systems are used
in a building.
A fire occurred in a large single-family residence in Arizona in 2008. The house was
unoccupied but was equipped with a fire sprinkler system. A signal was sent to an alarmmonitoring service who notified the fire department (Sturzenbecker). Firefighters quickly located

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the fire and found that it was contained in the area of origin by the residential sprinkler system.
Because these systems worked as intended, the property owner was able to resume use of the
residence after only minor repairs (Sturzenbecker). Sprinklers were the reason this house was
saved.
Sprinkler systems have been saving and helping people for years, and many years still to
come. Over the years, sprinkler systems are believed to get better and better due to the results of
their actions, and along with the testing that is being done. Every year they save more people and
make fires less dangerous. Sprinkler systems have protected families, businesses, and many other
buildings and corporations throughout their years of use. They are a necessary accommodation to
anyone thinking about buying a house or their own business.

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Works Cited
"Home Fire Sprinklers." Home Fire Sprinklers. National Fire Protection Association, n.d.
Web. 12 Feb. 2015. "Home Fire Sprinklers
Sturzenbecker, Michael J., Barbara Adams. Fire Detection and Suppression Systems. 4rd
ed.Stillwater
Oklahoma, Fire Protection Publications, 2010. Print.
Strickland, Billy Personal interview. 12 Feb. 2015