RESIDENTIAL FIRE SPRINKLERS

Whenever I open up the newspaper a see yet another family that has died in a house fire, I know I did not make a mistake installing fire sprinklers throughout my entire home. We had gutted our 110 year old Victorian Farmhouse in Floral Park the week after we closed. I knew if we didn’t do it then, we would never do things the right way. The walls were open, I was a plumber and it just seemed to be a natural conclusion. Although several types of plastics are allowed by NFPA 13-D (residential fire sprinkler code) including CPVC and PEX, I decided I would use copper piping for its durability and greater resistance to fire. I could have easily just used standard solder for the joints, but being the high-quality fanatic that I am, I used 15% Silver Brazing Rod on all the joints. Although this easily cost me 8 times more than standard solder, I liked the idea that silver solder does not melt until over 1000 degrees. This allows the system to stay intact – even longer – in a fire.

Many, including fellow Plumbing Contractors and Fireman friends , and family thought I had gone over the top installing a residential fire sprinkler system. Common replies were: “….is this really necessary Matt?.......but what about the water damage if a head activates?....wouldn’t you rather put that money in to something you can enjoy in the house? ” We’ll it was a lot of extra work and money, but I am happy I did it. Most of the system components are not visible to the naked eye and the covers blend in with the ceilings. Believe it or not….I did my own system in 2002. Although we often install a head over a boiler, we have done only a handful of residential systems since that time. However, that is all about to soon change, along with copper piping and PEX, we can install Blazemaster CPVC which has a higher melting point than PEX and is still quite economical. .

In January of 2011…just a few years away, ALL residential new construction require fire sprinklers throughout the home. This law is a long time coming and makes tremendous sense. Triple Crown has the experience and will be ready to install your system when the law takes affect. Below are some pictures.

PHOTO GALLERY OF RESIDENTIAL FIRE SPRINKLERS