Do You Have a Sprinkler in Your Home?

Aug. 26, 2010 - The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recently issued a safety alert regarding residential fire sprinkler systems containing antifreeze. They recommend that the system be drained of antifreeze and filled with just water.

The alert, issued last month, follows a research study and a set of tests conducted after a recent kitchen grease fire. The incident raised concerns about the effectiveness of antifreeze sprinkler systems in controlling residential fire conditions. The fire resulted in a single fatality and serious injury to another person.

The NFPA stresses that sprinklers should not be disconnected, as they are extremely effective in fire protection. Instead they stress that, until results from further testing on antifreeze become available, homeowners and building owners with sprinkler systems installed can take the following steps:

• Contact a sprinkler contractor to check and see if there is antifreeze in the system.
• If there is antifreeze in the system, as an interim measure, drain the system and replace it with water only. Problems associated with freezing of sprinkler pipes can be mitigated by alternative measures such as insulation. (NFPA hopes to provide further guidance based on additional testing before the winter freezing months.)
• If you are putting in a new residential sprinkler system, design and install a system that does not require antifreeze.

For more information, read the full alert.

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