Fire sprinklers are often viewed as an unavoidable expense in construction projects, necessary to meet building codes. However, an automatic sprinkler system has many long-term benefits beyond fire protection. Building owners may be entitled to reduced insurance premiums thanks to automatic sprinklers, and commercial spaces for rent become more attractive to tenants due to additional fire protection.
Depending on a building's occupancy classification, automatic sprinklers may be mandatory or optional. However, fire protection engineers independently recommend them considering their effectiveness against fire.
- Automatic sprinkler systems have lower installation costs in new construction since there are no existing building elements to remove.
- On the other hand, a sprinkler installation in an existing property is damaging to walls and ceilings, but can be included in a major renovation to minimize the impact.
- Fire sprinkler installation can also be combined with building system upgrades to minimize disruptions. For example, a lighting upgrade also involves ceiling work and can be carried out simultaneously.
Protect your building from fire damage with automatic sprinklers.
Why Insurance Companies Like Fire Sprinklers
The insurance business is about charging more than what is reimbursed in claims. Because automatic sprinklers extinguish the fire when the damage is still small, they result in much lower insurance claims. Having customers with buildings with sprinklers is in the interest of insurers. For this reason, insurance companies can afford to offer much lower premiums.
The reduction in insurance payments adds up over the life of a building, helping to offset the additional initial cost of an automatic sprinkler system. When fire sprinklers are optional and the project owner decides not to use them, insurance becomes more expensive and the building is much more vulnerable to fire damage.
Contrary to popular belief, a fire sprinkler system does not cover the entire interior of the building as shown in the movies. Automatic sprinklers respond individually and only release water directly above the fire, meaning there will be no water damage to unaffected areas. It's also important to note that sprinklers respond directly to heat, not smoke as portrayed in movies and TV shows.
Deluge fire sprinkler systems have a specific design that completely bathes the covered area. However, this type is only used in applications that are very vulnerable to fire, such as storage areas for flammable materials. Sprinkler systems found in offices and other commercial locations are designed for localized action and do not release water into unaffected areas.
Using Automatic Sprinklers as a Real Estate Marketing Tool
Lower rental rates make commercial spaces more attractive to tenants, but developers can also provide added value with better building services. For example, if two buildings have identical spaces and rental rates, tenants will choose based on factors such as energy efficiency and fire safety. All other factors being equal, a sprinklered building will be preferred over an unprotected building, especially when tenants bring their staff and assets. Tenants may even be willing to pay a higher rental rate if it includes greater fire protection and other benefits.
On the other hand, poor fire protection exposes developers to legal action from tenants if there is a major fire. Consider that these responsibilities add to repair costs, increasing the financial impact of a fire. Finally, an uncontrolled fire can have human consequences, such as serious injuries and casualties.
Conclusion
In addition to providing effective fire protection, automatic sprinklers make buildings eligible for reduced insurance premiums. When commercial spaces are developed for rental, sprinklers also provide a marketing advantage, helping to attract tenants concerned about fire safety.
However, an automatic sprinkler system can become very expensive when the layout is poorly planned. To optimize the cost of a fire sprinkler installation, the best recommendation is to obtain a professional assessment from fire protection engineers. They can determine the most suitable type of sprinkler, as well as the ideal layout for full coverage.
