Research and reports

Study: sprinklers proven to protect the environment

April 13, 2010: The findings of a groundbreaking study show that greenhouse gases released by burning buildings can be reduced by 98% when automatic fire sprinklers are installed. The study, a collaborative effort of FM Global and the Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition, also found that automatic fire sprinklers: 

  • reduce fire damage by up to 97%
  • reduce water usage to fight a home fire by upwards of 90%
  • reduce the amount of water pollution released into the environment

The complete scientific research findings from this study are available in an FM Global report, "The Environmental Impact of Automatic Fire Sprinklers".

Read more about the results of this study.

Background: The study involved the burning of two furnished living rooms, one of which had been outfitted with a quick-response sprinkler. Forty-four seconds after ignition, the single sprinkler head in the protected living room activated and began to fight the fire, while fire raged in the unprotected room. After five minutes, the fire in the sprinklered room continued to be contained, while in the unprotected room, every combustible item was burning. After the test, FM Global compared the environmental impact of each fire, specifically:

  • the types, quantity and duration of air and water pollutants released from a home fire
  • water usage from fire sprinklers and firefighters’ hoses
  • the environmental impact resulting from burning household furnishings and finish materials as well as disposing the fire-damaged contents of a home
  • the carbon footprint associated with rebuilding a burnt home

See photos, more information about the test burn at FM Global.

 NFPA Journal
It’s not lightweight construction. It's what happens when lightweight construction meets fire.
July/August 2009
by Alan R. Earls

The case for home fire sprinklers
March/April 2009
by Scott Sutherland

NFPA reports

  • Integration of Residential Sprinklers with Water Supply Systems (PDF, 842 KB)
    NFPA, September 2009
    The purpose of this research was to develop objective data which characterizes the manner in which residential fire sprinklers are integrated with local water supply systems in communities with a sprinkler ordinance. This study explored these issues in detail through interviews with 20 communities where residential sprinklers are required in all new homes.
    NEW! Read a one-page overview of the water supply integration study (PDF, 697 KB)
  • Prince George's County 15-Year History with its Single-Family Residential Dwelling Fire Sprinkler Ordinance (PDF 397 KB)
    Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition, August 2009
    Through a partnership with the Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition (HFSC), the Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office, the Prince George’s County Fire Department, and the University of Maryland University College, this study review Prince George’s County’s (MD) experience with an ordinance mandating the installation of automatic fire sprinkler systems in new one- and two-family structures over the 15-year period of 1992-2007.
  • Comparative Analysis of Housing Cost and Supply Impacts of Sprinkler Ordinances at the Community Level (PDF, 414 KB)
    NFPA, June 2009
    The purpose of this research was to investigate whether the imposition of sprinkler ordinances within a jurisdiction had a measureable impact on the housing construction or prices in that municipality relative to comparable nearby communities without such an ordinance.
  • U.S. Experience with Sprinklers and Other Automatic Fire Extinguishing Equipment (PDF, 353 KB)
    NFPA, February 2010
    This report includes statistics on how often sprinklers (or other automatic extinguishing systems) are reported in fires, by property use, and their estimated impact in reducing the average loss of life and property per fire. Includes statistics on performance, usage and reliability of sprinklers and other automatic extinguishing systems, as well as leading reasons when system fail to operate or operate but are ineffective. Also includes special study statistics on non-fire sprinkler activations.
  • Home Fire Sprinkler Cost Assessment (PDF, 634 KB)
    Fire Protection Research Foundation, September 2008
    A national perspective on the cost of installing residential fire sprinklers is examined in this report released by the Fire Protection Research Foundation, an affiliate of NFPA. According to the report, the cost of installing sprinkler systems to the home builder averaged $1.61 per sprinklered square foot. Sprinklered square feet is the total area of spaces with sprinklers.

Research from other organizations

Case studies

  • Since 1988, the Chicago suburb of Long Grove has provided its residents with added protection from home fires by requiring all new homes to be equipped with automatic fire sprinklers. Long Grove was one of the first municipalities in the area to adopt a home sprinkler ordinance. Ten years later, Lisa Bailey and her family experienced the importance of that ordinance firsthand.Ms. Bailey was working in her home office in Long Grove in November 2001 when she heard the smoke alarm sound in her son’s room. Her son and friends were playing in the basement at the time. They all evacuated the house as the home’s fire sprinkler system began to activate, quickly controlling the fire. Once the fire department arrived, the blaze was almost completely extinguished, leaving only minor damage to the walls and bed. In addition, the automatic sprinkler that activated caused no water damage and the family was able to spend the night in their home that evening. According to Fire Marshal Greg Cook, without the fire sprinkler system, the fire would havw spread beyond the bedroom causing major fire, smoke, and water damage. “If it weren’t for the sprinklers, we would have lost much more,” said Ms. Bailey. “We would not have had sprinklers if they weren’t required. Now, we wouldn’t live in a house without them. They saved our lives, our home, and my business.”