Older buildings can be made fire-safe with a fire sprinkler retrofit
If you are looking to improve the fire safety of your existing home or commercial building, retrofitting your property with fire sprinkler systems is smart.
Consider the following statistics from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 2019 report on “Home Structure Fires” as why you should seriously think about adding a fire sprinkler system in your building.
- Sprinklers save lives: Fire sprinklers can control a fire until help arrives, even when occupants are unable to act. The death rate in reported home fires with sprinkler systems was 85% lower than those without any automatic extinguishing systems (AES). It’s a proactive measure that can make a significant difference in critical situations.
- Sprinklers minimize property damage: The average property loss per incident was found to be 63% lower when sprinklers were present compared to fires without them. The financial impact of fire damage can be substantially reduced, helping you protect your valuable assets.
Additionally, fire sprinklers contribute to reducing water damage in the case of a fire. Unlike fire hoses that spray a large volume of water, sprinklers release a fraction of that amount. A single sprinkler can typically control a fire, reducing the need for extensive water deployment by the fire department.
Watch the following video to see that without fire sprinklers there is little time to escape…
What’s involved in fire sprinkler retrofitting?
Our fire sprinkler retrofit service caters to both residential and commercial properties. We understand the unique requirements and legal obligations in California for both and work to ensure compliance with relevant regulations.
Here’s an overview of what’s involved…
Residential and multi-residential properties:
- Detailed assessment of your property to determine the optimal placement of sprinkler systems.
- Professional installation by our experienced team, adhering to industry standards and best practices.
- As minimal disruption as possible during installation, taking into consideration the impact on your family or tenants.
- Maintaining the esthetics of your home and concealing pipes whenever possible.
Are new homes required to have sprinkler systems by law?
New homes are, in fact, required by law to have fire sprinkler systems installed – regardless of square footage.
Read more about our home fire sprinkler system services.
Commercial properties:
- Thorough evaluation of your commercial building to devise an effective sprinkler system plan.
- Customized installation to meet your specific business needs and ensure comprehensive fire protection.
- Efficient project management to minimize disruptions to your daily operations.
What are the fire sprinkler requirements for commercial properties in California?
All new commercial buildings which are 3,600 square feet and above are required to have fire sprinklers.
For those buildings that have existing occupancies and where additions are made that bring the total square footage to exceed 3,600 square feet require fire sprinklers be installed.
If there is a change of use or occupancy in a building that exceeds 3,600 square feet, an approved fire automated fire sprinkler system must also be installed.
There are certain exceptions to the laws that you can read about here.
What’s the cost for a fire sprinkler retrofit?
When considering the cost of fire sprinkler retrofit installation, first consider the amount of money you can save.
In the event of a fire, there is a huge cost savings!
The investment in fire sprinkler systems can have a significant positive impact. Not only does it save lives and reduce property damage, NFPA research indicates that the average property loss per fire incident was 63% lower when sprinklers were present compared to incidents without them.
Businesses can get a tax cut
As for up-front costs, if yours is a business, you can now take advantage of a tax reduction thanks to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act which allows small businesses to fully expense the installation of a sprinkler system up to $1 million in each year of the expense. If a business must take out a loan to retrofit a sprinkler system, they are able to fully deduct the loan interest.
For larger businesses, retrofits can be fully expensed over the next 4 years. In 2023, the amount that can be expensed will start to taper down. There is no better time than now for a fire sprinkler retrofit.
Homeowners can also get a generous discount on homeowner’s insurance.
A recent poll of property and casualty insurers by HFSC showed that discounts as high as 35% are offered for homes with sprinklers.
Californians can see the list of insurers offering discounts here. Be sure to shop around as the discounts they offer may vary widely. And this list may not be current.
To get the real cost, request a custom quote.
Those are the saving benefits, but you still want to know what the hard costs are for a fire sprinkler system retrofit. That, of course, varies with each installation as every home and building is different. To arrive at a true cost will require an on-site inspection and consultation.
Take the proactive step towards enhancing the fire safety of your existing home or commercial building by contacting our professional team. We are here to help you create a safer environment with a fire sprinkler system installation retrofit.
