Fire Alarms Are a Commercial Necessity

In the early days of the American textile mills, fires were fought using a sprinkler system made of perforated pipes. This system was not automated and had to be turned on manually. Around the time of the Civil War, men started trying to find better ways to protect factory workers from fire. In 1872, Philip W. Pratt patented the first automatic sprinkler. It was better, but needed improvement. Therefore, in 1874, Henry S. Parmalee came up with a system that used a practical, automatic sprinkler head and installed it in his own piano factory.

At this point in time, the only people who were installing sprinkler systems were those with commercial interests. They discovered that by installing a sprinkler their insurance company would give them discounted rates. Since they were able to recoup the cost of the system by using these discounts, it made sense to these savvy businessmen to have one. In the 1940s, though, this changed when building codes were written making it mandatory to have sprinkler systems in other public buildings, including schools, hospitals, and hotels.

Commercial Sprinkler Systems Save Lives

Over the years, fire alarm systems have become mandatory in all public places where more than 100 people can congregate and in all buildings which aren't located with 75 feet of a fire station or a fire plug. Commercial fire alarms are now mandatory all over the country for schools, large churches, shopping malls, hospitals, theaters, hotels, and other large facilities. Facilities which warehouse hazardous materials are also required to have a fire alarm.

It's the policy of most insurance companies that if no fire system is installed, no insurance coverage will be issued. In this way insurance companies protect themselves from insuring risky ventures. The insurance company refuses to take on the responsibility for compensating negligent business owners for property loss, building damage, and human casualties. Businesses that must have fire protection systems now include anywhere people can stay over night, such as motels, bed and breakfasts, and resorts.

The new ESFR sprinkler system is at the cutting edge of sprinkler technology. It was designed to keep fires contained so that they don't spread. Sprinklers are pre-programmed to come on when they sense a certain heat level. Then, only the sprinklers which receive signals will go on to fight the fire. Sprinklers that aren't in the affected area remain off. In this way, the water pressure going to the active heads will be greater and uncompromised.

There are sprinkler systems available that are specially-designed for sensitive areas of a building which absolutely can't come in contact with water unless an emergency arises. These sprinkler systems are called "dry systems". In these areas, if a fire alarm goes off, the system does a little investigating to see if there really is a need for water. By employing smoke and heat detector technology, the sensors can make sure the water really needs to come on and destroy critical items in the area before the sprinkler is actually activated.

As our society has realized the devastation of fires and decided to take aggressive measures towards fighting them, many lives are being saved. Thank goodness we no longer have the terrible sweatshop fires that killed hundreds. In fact, workplace deaths have declined to almost nothing. What do you think Henry S. Parmalee would think if he could see us now?

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