MeyerFire
  • Blog
  • Forum
  • THE TOOLKIT
    • SUBMIT AN IDEA
    • BACKFLOW DATABASE*
    • CLEAN AGENT ESTIMATOR*
    • CLOUD CEILING CALCULATOR
    • DOMESTIC DEMAND*
    • FIRE FLOW CALCULATOR*
    • FIRE PUMP ANALYZER*
    • FIRE PUMP DATABASE*
    • FRICTION LOSS CALCULATOR
    • HANGER SPACER*
    • IBC TRANSLATOR*
    • K-FACTOR SELECTOR*
    • NFPA 13 EDITION TRANSLATOR ('19 ONLY)
    • NFPA 13 EDITION TRANSLATOR ('99-'22)*
    • LIQUIDS ANALYZER*
    • OBSTRUCTION CALCULATOR
    • OBSTRUCTIONS AGAINST WALL*
    • PLUMBING FIXTURE COUNTS
    • QUICK RESPONSE AREA REDUCTION
    • REMOTE AREA ANALYZER*
    • SPRINKLER DATABASE*
    • SPRINKLER FLOW*
    • SYSTEM ESTIMATOR*
    • TEST & DRAIN CALCULATOR
    • THRUST BLOCK CALCULATOR
    • TRAPEZE CALCULATOR
    • UNIT CONVERTER
    • VOLUME & COMPRESSOR CALCULATOR
    • WATER STORAGE*
    • WATER SUPPLY (US)
    • WATER SUPPLY (METRIC)
  • UNIVERSITY
    • ABOUT
    • CATALOG
    • CONTENT LIBRARY
  • PE Exam
    • PE Forum & Errata
    • PE Store
    • PE Tools
    • PE Prep Series
    • PE 100-Day Marathon
  • LOGIN
  • PRICING
    • SOFTWARE & TRAINING
    • STORE
  • THE CAUSE
    • ABOUT US
    • BECOME AN INSTRUCTOR
    • HELP/SUPPORT
Picture

Popular Myths of Sprinkler Systems?

10/5/2021

4 Comments

 
MeyerFire University | FX001.04
By Chris Logan, CFPS, RSE
< PREVIOUS
NEXT >
RESOURCES
FX001 SERIES
RESOURCES
NOTES
  • Notes Page [PDF]
FX001 SERIES
  1. What is a Sprinkler System?
  2. What is the Purpose of a Sprinkler System?
  3. What are the Common Components of a Sprinkler System?
  4. What are Popular Myths about Sprinkler Systems?
  5. What is a Standpipe System?
  6. What is the Purpose of a Standpipe System?
  7. What are Common Components of Standpipe Systems?
  8. When are Sprinkler Systems Required?
  9. Example of When Sprinklers Are Required?
  10. Does the Owner Have Insurance Standards?
  11. Does the Owner Have Standards or Specifications?

TRANSCRIPT

What are some of the top myths surrounding fire sprinkler systems?

Many myths about fire sprinkler systems are spread through TV and movies.

The dramatic effect of a sprinkler system activating is good for Hollywood, but has negative impacts in our industry.

​Here are some of the most common myths about fire sprinkler systems.

Myth #1: A pull station activates the sprinkler system.

​One of the most common myths with sprinkler systems is the myth that a pull station will activate the sprinkler system.

Pull stations are connected to the fire alarm system only, and they only notify occupants to evacuate the building.

Pull stations only send an electronic signal to the fire alarm system, not to discharge water from sprinklers.

Myth #2: Smoke will activate the sprinkler system.

Similar to the pull station myth, this one involves Doug leaving dinner in the oven for too long, or burning toast which triggers the smoke alarm and activates the sprinkler system.

Sprinklers have heat sensitive elements and do not react to smoke or any different odors in the air.

Myth #3: All sprinklers activate at once.

When the sprinkler system activates, every sprinkler in the building fuses, and water is discharged everywhere!

This is the most common myth associated with fire sprinklers, and one of the most used myths in movies and TV shows.

The truth is each individual sprinkler contains a heat response element that initiates at specific temperature for period of time.

Even in an actual fire, most of the time only one or two sprinklers will activate to control or extinguish a fire.

Myth #4 - Water damage from a sprinkler system will be more extensive than fire damage.

Fire sprinklers significantly reduce property loss and damage due to a fire.

The sprinkler quickly activates to control smoke and heat.

This limits the damage in other areas of the property, and gives the occupants valuable time to evacuate safely.

Water discharge from fire sprinklers is much less than fire fighting hand lines, up to 85% less water is used to extinguish a home fire.

Water dries and fire does not.

Myth #5: Sprinklers may go off accidentally.

Statistically, you are more likely to win the lottery than a fire sprinkler accidentally discharging.

The odds of a sprinkler falsely activating are shown to be 1 in 16 million.

There are many myths associated with fire sprinklers, it is important as an industry to clarify these myths and educate the public on fire sprinkler protection and the positive effect it has on protecting property and lives.

​I’m Chris Logan, This is MeyerFire University.
4 Comments
Mary Ann Rosenkranz link
10/28/2021 02:39:58 pm

Appreciated this one clerifying the myths.

Reply
Mary Ann Rosenkranz link
10/29/2021 08:47:01 am

Learned some things I wasn't aware of before.

Reply
Jeff Snyder
12/1/2021 07:16:03 am

It always amazes me the influence of Hollywood on reality. Being in the industry for a while now I cover things like this with new hires new to the industry and people are always amazed! Thanks for covering these topics.

Reply
Melanie Willhite
1/8/2022 04:49:11 pm

LOVED this video. Having movies and examples really helped clarify some of these myths! Thank you!

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Sentry Page Protection
    Please Wait...

    FULL CATALOG

    SEARCH

    FILTER BY:

    All
    By: Aaron Johnson
    By: Al Yakel
    By: Ben Brooks
    By: Chris Campbell
    By: Chris Logan
    By: David Stacy
    By: Edward Henderson
    By: Franck Orset
    By: Joe Meyer
    By: Kelsey Longmoore
    By: Steve Frederick
    By: Steven Barrett
    By: Tyler Mobley
    Category: Business
    Category: Documents
    Category: Fire Alarm
    Category: Fundamentals
    Category: Life Safety
    Category: Smoke Control
    Category: Suppression
    Category: Tools
    Course
    Crossword
    Exercise
    Level: Advanced
    Level: Intermediate
    Level: Introductory
    On-Demand Course
    Simulation
    Workshop

    ARCHIVES:

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021

    INSTRUCTORS:

    Aaron Johnson, CFEI
    Al Yakel, SET
    ​Chris Campbell, PE
    ​Chris Logan, CFPS, RSE
    ​
    David Stacy, PE
    Ed Henderson, PE
    ​Franck Orset
    Joe Meyer, PE
    Steve Frederick

    RSS Feed

Picture
​Home
Our Cause
The Blog
The Forum
PE Exam Prep
The Toolkit

MeyerFire University
​Pricing
Login
​Support
Contact Us
Picture

MeyerFire.com is a startup community built to help fire protection professionals shine.
Our goal is to improve fire protection practices worldwide. We promote the industry by creating helpful tools and resources, and by bringing together industry professionals to share their expertise.

​MeyerFire, LLC is an International Code Council Preferred Education Provider.

All text, images, and media ​Copyright © 2023 MeyerFire, LLC

We respect your privacy and personal data. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. 
The views, opinions, and information found on this site represent solely the author and do not represent the opinions of any other party, nor does the presented material assume responsibility for its use. Fire protection and life safety systems constitute a critical component for public health and safety and you should consult with a licensed professional for proper design and code adherence.

Discussions are solely for the purpose of peer review and the exchange of ideas. All comments are reviewed. Comments which do not contribute, are not relevant, are spam, or are disrespectful in nature may be removed. Information presented and opinions expressed should not be relied upon as a replacement for consulting services. Some (not all) outbound links on this website, such as Amazon links, are affiliate-based where we receive a small commission for orders placed elsewhere.

  • Blog
  • Forum
  • THE TOOLKIT
    • SUBMIT AN IDEA
    • BACKFLOW DATABASE*
    • CLEAN AGENT ESTIMATOR*
    • CLOUD CEILING CALCULATOR
    • DOMESTIC DEMAND*
    • FIRE FLOW CALCULATOR*
    • FIRE PUMP ANALYZER*
    • FIRE PUMP DATABASE*
    • FRICTION LOSS CALCULATOR
    • HANGER SPACER*
    • IBC TRANSLATOR*
    • K-FACTOR SELECTOR*
    • NFPA 13 EDITION TRANSLATOR ('19 ONLY)
    • NFPA 13 EDITION TRANSLATOR ('99-'22)*
    • LIQUIDS ANALYZER*
    • OBSTRUCTION CALCULATOR
    • OBSTRUCTIONS AGAINST WALL*
    • PLUMBING FIXTURE COUNTS
    • QUICK RESPONSE AREA REDUCTION
    • REMOTE AREA ANALYZER*
    • SPRINKLER DATABASE*
    • SPRINKLER FLOW*
    • SYSTEM ESTIMATOR*
    • TEST & DRAIN CALCULATOR
    • THRUST BLOCK CALCULATOR
    • TRAPEZE CALCULATOR
    • UNIT CONVERTER
    • VOLUME & COMPRESSOR CALCULATOR
    • WATER STORAGE*
    • WATER SUPPLY (US)
    • WATER SUPPLY (METRIC)
  • UNIVERSITY
    • ABOUT
    • CATALOG
    • CONTENT LIBRARY
  • PE Exam
    • PE Forum & Errata
    • PE Store
    • PE Tools
    • PE Prep Series
    • PE 100-Day Marathon
  • LOGIN
  • PRICING
    • SOFTWARE & TRAINING
    • STORE
  • THE CAUSE
    • ABOUT US
    • BECOME AN INSTRUCTOR
    • HELP/SUPPORT