Facts

Fires kill more people in the United States every year than all natural disasters combined.
80% of all fire related deaths occur in the home. The single most effective way to prevent such deaths is the installation of residential fire sprinklers. Combined with smoke alarms, they cut the risk of fatalities in a home fire by 82%.

Fire sprinklers save money for developers, builders and home owners.
Through the use of trade-ups, developers and builders can achieve reduced construction costs while providing higher value homes for their customers. In the event of a home fire, homeowners can expect financial losses 90% lower than those that occur from fires in unsprinklered homes.

Fire sprinklers provide high value personal security for your new homes.
Home buyers have never been as aware of security and safety as they are now. New home builders must offer buyers a new level of value and protection to compete successfully. Fire sprinklers are an economic way to increase the desirability of new homes, and enhance the builder's reputation for quality construction.

Only the sprinkler closest to the fire will activate to spray water directly on the fire.
Each sprinkler is individually activated by heat. It is a common misconception that sprinklers are activated by smoke, causing all sprinklers to operate simultaneously. Sprinklers not in the vicinity of a fire will not activate.  90% of all home fires are contained with a single sprinkler.

Fire hoses, on average, use more than 8 1/2 times more water than sprinklers to contain a fire.
According to the Scottsdale Report, a 15-year study of fire sprinkler effectiveness, a fire sprinkler uses an average of 341 gallons of water to control a fire. Firefighters, on average, use 2,935 gallons. Reduced water damage is a major source of savings for homeowners.

The likelihood that a sprinkler will accidentally discharge due to a manufacturing defect is extremely rare.
Sprinkler mishaps are generally less likely and less severe than accidents involving home plumbing systems.

Modern fire sprinklers provide unobtrusive protection.
Residential sprinklers are small and may be  recessed into ceilings or walls. Some models are completely concealed by plates that can be matched to paint colors.

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Currently in the State of Maryland, fire sprinklers are required in all townhomes, apartments and condominiums.

As of January 2007, residential sprinkler ordinances are in effect for single family homes and duplexes in City of Laurel, City of Gaithersburg, City of Rockville, Town of Mt. Airy, Town of Emmitsburg, City of Aberdeen, Town of Charlestown, City of Frederick, City of Havre de Grace, Town of La Plata, Town of Indian Head, Town of St. Micheals, PG County, Carroll County, Frederick County, Montgomery County & Charles County.