Congratulations!

As owner of a residential fire sprinkler system your dwelling is protected 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 12 months a year from the threat of fire and the terrible consequences such an occurrence can create. Each sprinkler head of your "Life Safety System" acts as a Firefighter! As with any mechanical system, however, periodic maintenance is necessary to insure proper performance. Call us for your required 5 year inspection, and we will send out our Certified 5 year Inspection expert.

The purpose of this owner's manual is to provide to you, the owner, guidelines for inspections and some additional background information as well.

Residential Fire Sprinklers are designed to:

• Activate at 160 F
• Only discharges water from the head that is activated
• Applies water at a rate of 13 to 18 gallons per minute during the initial stages of fire
• Provides early fire warning (augments, but does not replace smoke detectors)
• Allows you to escape from the fire.

Identify the System Components (and their location)

• Shut-Off Valve
  The main water meter shutoff outside of your house is the only valve that will shut off water to your sprinkler system. The sprinkler system cannot be shut off independent of the house service.
• Riser
  Should always be labeled as such. Commonly found in the garage. However, it may be located in utility closets or wall cabinets.
• Gauge
  Found with the Riser. It records the static pressure of the system.
• Inspector Test Valve
  Located at the most remote wall (the part of the house that is furthest from the Riser) and should be labeled. It looks like a hose faucet without a handle.
• Bell(s)
  Found in a visible location at the front or rear of a structure; may be more than one. It should be audible from all sleeping areas.
• Interior Alarm Device (optional)
  Typically found in the hallway.

Recommended Practices

• Contact your monitoring company if your system is monitored.
• Test your system monthly: Open the Inspectors test valve and listen for the bell to ring then turn off the valve.
• Know your sprinkler system shut off valve location and communicate this to all occupants of your home.
• Any extensions or alterations of your sprinkler system must be approved by the Fire Department prior to any work being done.
• Contact the Fire Department if and when any activation of your sprinkler system occurs (except when testing the system).
• Do not do anything to your sprinkler system that would hinder its performance such as painting or hanging objects from the sprinkler head. Of course, never turn off or disconnect the system from its water source.
• Do not turn off the sprinkler system in the event of a fire - let the Fire Department perform this task.

Did You Know?

1. Sprinklers rarely leak. They are tested at 175 psi for 24 hours. Standard plumbing is only tested at 60 psi.

2. Only the sprinkler head that is affected by the fire will activate.

3. Sprinkler heads are activated by heat only. Smoke without heat will not cause a sprinkler to activate.

4. Sprinklers cause less damage than the fire itself. A sprinkler will control a fire in its early stages and will use considerably less water than the Fire Department would.

5. Sprinklers have been in use since the late eighteen hundreds to protect lives and property. They are a proven technology.

We hope that this information will help you to better understand your sprinkler system. A few minutes a month is all it takes to ensure that this life safety system is ready to go to work.