Across the country, states and municipalities require commercial buildings to have a certain level of fire prevention and protection equipment. Whether ceiling sprinkler systems are required depends on factors such as the jurisdiction, the type of commercial establishment and the age of the building.
Regulations for residential settings are not as consistent, but owners of multi-family complexes generally want to have fire Sprinkler Installation in Silverdale WA completed. They want to be sure the residents and their guests are safe and to prevent substantial damage to buildings.
The Grandfathering Factor in Regulations
Older structures, both commercial and multi-family residential, typically are grandfathered in when new regulations are passed that would be extremely expensive for the owners. Many buildings simply cannot have fire sprinklers installed unless they would undergo an enormous amount of renovation first, even though they are otherwise safe in various aspects.
Single-Family Residences
As of now, states and other jurisdictions allow single-family homeowners to decide whether or not to have fire sprinklers installed, but debate continues on whether the installation should be mandatory. Building contractors commonly protest that it adds too much to the cost of the structure and will be prohibitive to many prospective buyers.
Homeowners generally find enough prevention and protection with smoke alarms throughout the house and several fire extinguishers, although this is not helpful if a fire breaks out when nobody is home. It should be expected that single-family residences will increasingly include fire Sprinkler Installation in Silverdale WA to prevent the worst from happening. Firefighters arrive as quickly as possible after an alert, but they cannot be there immediately.
Outdoor Cooking in Multi-Family Settings
Another issue related to apartment life involves fires that break out due to residents grilling on balconies. Because these fires can cause significant damage, state codes commonly ban the activity, but the regulations are commonly ignored.
One solution that would qualify as an exception in Washington State would be to have fire sprinklers installed that could quickly douse flames on a balcony and prevent the fire from spreading. Building owners can hire a contractor such as Herdman Plumbing to do the work.
