Residential Fire Sprinklers
Residential fire sprinkler systems are a proven effective means of providing the highest level of life safety from fire. Automatic fire sprinklers have been in use in the U.S. since 1874. 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. (Average loss per fire was $2,300 in sprinklered buildings and $10,300 in unsprinklered buildings.)
Today a home fire can become deadly in two minutes or less. Home fires burn hot and grow quickly. The flames and deadly smoke move through the house. Two minutes isn’t much time to escape a burning home. This is especially true for older adults, young children and people with disabilities who can’t get to exits as quickly.
- Myth: In a fire, all sprinklers spray water.
- Fact: Each sprinkler works individually to detect a fire. In most home fires, just one sprinkler controls or puts out the flames.
- Myth: Smoke alarms cause fire sprinklers to activate.
- Fact: Smoke and smoke alarms can’t set them off. Home fire sprinklers are activated by the high temperature of a fire surrounding the sprinkler. The sprinkler closest to the fire will open when the temperature reaches between 135°-165°F (57°-74°C). Water will flow from the sprinkler.
- Myth: Sprinklers are designed to protect property, but are not effective for life safety.
- Fact: Sprinklers provide a high level of life safety. Statistics demonstrate that there has never been any multiple loss of life in a fully sprinklered building. Property losses are 85% less in residences with fire sprinklers compared to those without sprinklers. The combination of automatic sprinklers and early warning systems in all buildings and residences could reduce overall injuries, loss of life and property damage by at least 50%.
Effective September 18, 2000 residents of Montgomery County are eligible for a one-time tax credit of up to 50% of their county property tax on dwellings. This tax credit is for the installation of a fire sprinkler system on any detached singlefamily or attached dwelling units or units in multi-family buildings.
How do you get the property tax credit for fire sprinklers?
Apply for the tax credit in the year in which the sprinkler system is installed. Please contact the Department of Finance at (240) 777-8931 or contact 311 to get your process started.
Educational Videos from Home Fire Sprinklers Coalition (HFSC)
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Why house fires burn quickly and are more deadly |
Types of home fire sprinklers |
Who is most at risk if a home fire starts |
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Residential Fire Sprinklers - Legislation |
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