Automatic fire sprinklers have been in use in the U.S. since 1874. Fire sprinklers are widely recognized as the single most effective method for fighting the spread of fires in their early stages - before they can cause severe injury to people and damage to property.

When one fire sprinkler head is activated, the entire sprinkler system does NOT activate.  Sprinklers react to temperatures in individual rooms.  The chance of a fire sprinkler accidentally being set off are extremely rare.  Installation of fire sprinklers can provide discounts on insurance premiums.  The costs for installing fire sprinkler systems in residential, industrial, commercial structures is based upon the construction style and the aesthetics of the building.

In most cases the installation of fire sprinklers in new residential construction is estimated to make up around 1% to 2% of the total building cost (similar to the cost of new carpet).  Over 200 U.S. communities have laws that require residential fire sprinkler systems.  Roughly 100 of these communities are in California.  In downtown Fresno, for example, there has been fire damage of only $42,000 reported during a 10-year period in which it's fire sprinkler law has been in effect.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, property damage in hotel fires was 78% less in structures with sprinklers than it was in structures without sprinklers, during the years 1983-87 (average loss per fire was $2,300 in sprinkled buildings and $10,300 in unsprinkled buildings).

Nearly half of all hotels and motels, according to a 1988 survey by NFPA, have sprinkler systems.  NFPA has no record of a fire killing more than two people in a completely sprinkled building where the system was properly operating, with the exception of an explosion or flash fire, or where industrial fire brigade members or employees were killed during fire suppression operations.

The National Fire Protection Association outlines several major strategies that are key to reductions in fire losses and especially in home fire deaths, which are 78.3% of the total fire deaths:

* More, and more widespread, public fire safety education on how to prevent fires and how to avoid serious injury or death if fire occurs.

* Residential fire safety initiatives remain the key to reductions in the overall fire death toll.

* Wider use and proper maintenance of smoke detectors, coupled with practiced home escape plans.

* Wider use of residential sprinklers.

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* From "American Fire Sprinkler Association - <a href="http://www.firesprinkler.org/">http://www.firesprinkler.org/</a>