Fire sprinkler systems serve a function far superior than that of simple smoke detectors. A smoke detector will simply activate, sounding an alarm and contacting the authorities. A fire sprinkler system will do all of the above but has the additional capability of controlling or even extinguishing a fire.

In many cases, fires can actually be extinguished before the fire department even has the opportunity to respond. A standard fire sprinkler head will generally activate once the temperature has reached between 160° and 165° F and will discharge water at a rate of between 13 and 18 gallons of water per minute.

Many studies have shown that only one or two sprinkler heads are activated in most residential fires. In addition, they have shown that a single sprinkler head will, on most occasions, extinguish the typical residential fire in a matter of under four minutes. Since sprinkler heads are individually activated, residual water damage is avoided. Extinguishing a fire in its initial stages will also limit any heat and smoke damage as well as structural damage.