Alarm system required for sprinkler system?

[cedarbluffranch]

I saw that the IRC will start requiring sprinkler systems in all single family properties in 2011.

Being a person who grew up in rural lands - farm country - how will this work for a person a long ways from neighbors? I am wondering specifically how does the sprinkler system get turned off if it is activated when the owners are working or on vacation?

The sprinkler head will dump a lot of water in the house in short order, potentially doing a lot of damage. While it's better than the house burning down due to fire, the water damage would be preventable.

Is it required to connect to an alarm system that notifies the fire department if the system goes off? That'd require a monthly monitoring fee. If not, how else is notification done?

 

[cdafd]

Normaly off site monitroing is a requirement of the local ahj

normaly most single family homes are not required to be monitored

your question could be answered in a couple ways

if out in the middle of know where more than likley water supply may not be good, so install a self contained fire sprinkler systems with a sized water tank for the sq ft of the house, once the water tank runs out end of water damage problem


another way to look at it same secnario you put forth is if the house burns in the woods will any one know???

so either way you have some type of damage I would take water over fire.

 

[cedarbluffranch]

Fires can be seen a long ways, so I feel that if my house is burning (and producing smoke) neighbors will call the fire department even if they are 1/2 mile away.

Water pouring out of the front door (or filling the basement first) is much harder to notice.

I'm not worried about fire, especially when I'm gone. But will sprinkler heads ever go off accidently (rupturing pipe, faulty head, etc) when no one is around?

Water source is well. Suppose well flow is sufficient to satisfy the needs of one head. (My parents well is 80 gpm, more than sufficient).

 

[sfallows]

first off heads are produced to iso 9000 so few are faulty unless their is a problem with the design.

additionally the fire damage to inure is so great once it can be seen from 1/2 a mile away that once the rural fire dept. (15+ min later) your house it almost a goner

next breaking pipes do you worry about your water pipes bursting? do you turn off your house's incoming water supply for every trip.

then lets say that the flow from one head is 12gpm (.05gpm/sq.ft for a coverage of 240 sq ft)

in one hour 720 gallons of water will be released
in one day 17280 gallons of water will be released

1 US gallon = 0.133680556 cubic feet
so 720 gallons = 96.25 cubic feet
and 17280 gallons = 2310 cubic feet

i would rather get a few bathtubs full of water than lose my house in that first hour

additionally burglar systems not have the option to tie into the sprinkler system, (and you can always use a local alarm)

the reward out ways the risk

 

[cdafd]

Tindey

good points

Like I said I would rather clean up from water than fire

and sure someone will come up with several means to address this problem

such as having your computer tied into the sprinkler and alert you if it flows

water flow indicators besides flow switches that are tied into a dialer that will call your cell phone like car alarms do.

once again limit flow of water to say either a certain gallonage or time span.

turn off the valve from your laptop or cellphone

 

[FFP1]

As stated above, the likelihood of a problem is relatively low...........the automatic sprinkler system piping would essentially present the same water damage exposure as the domestic water supply throughout the residence.

United Security Products manufactures an affordable "Automatic Voice Dialer" which can easily be programmed to dial your cell phone, your work phone, your neighbor, 911, etc. The AD 2001 model can call up to six different numbers if I remember correctly. Arrange so that the flow switch activates the dialer and it will contact the pre-programmed numbers (using a standard telephone line) and state whatever message you pre-recorded.

I imagine there are other similar products on the market as well.