Mention the words "fire sprinkler system" and most builders are skeptical, voicing
concerns about cost, reliability, and the aesthetic impact on the home.
But as this article will show, residential sprinkler systems are economical, aesthetically
pleasing, and rarely fail. Most important, they can save lives.
NFPA Standards
Residential fire sprinkler systems are regulated by two similar National Fire
Protection Agency standards that were developed for systems designed for the
home. NFPA 13D ("D" for dwelling) regulates one- and two-family dwelling sprinkler
systems, while NFPA 13R ("R" for residential) is for residential buildings up to
four stories in height.
Whereas commercial sprinkler systems focus on property protection, residential
sprinkler systems are designed