Heat activates only the sprinkler closest to the fire. A sprinkler can contain and even extinguish a fire in less time than it takes firefighters to arrive on the scene. Whether you're building a new home, or making improvements to the one you live in now, there are many ways to protect your home and family from fire's devastating effect. In the Silvas' house, the TOH crew has installed a system of safeguards against fire, including smoke alarms tied to a central alarm system, automatic fire sprinklers and an arc-fault interrupter that can prevent the electrical sparks that often start fires. With this line of defense in place, the Silvas' and their new home will be well protected.
Smoke alarms provide crucial minutes to escape fire safely.
There should be at least one smoke alarm installed on every level of your home, including the basement. Depending on the design of your home or if you sleep with the doors shut, you might consider installing smoke alarms inside each bedroom to insure the alarm is audible in all rooms of the house. At the Silvas house, the hard-wired system is connected to a central alarm system that will also signal the fire department. No matter how simple or complex your smoke alarm system, it will cut your chance of fire death nearly in half. At the same time,smoke alarms that don't work can 't protect you.