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The Springfield Fire Department is joining with other communities and the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition (HFSC) in support of residential fire sprinklers on Home Fire Sprinkler Week, May 19-25.

Home fire sprinklers can dramatically reduce the heat, flames, and smoke produced in a fire. Properly installed and maintained fire sprinklers help save lives. In fact, according to the National Fire Protection Association, your risk of dying in a home fire is 90 percent lower when sprinklers are properly installed in combination with working smoke alarms.

Residential sprinkler systems are easy and inexpensive to install. In Springfield, homes can be furnished with a residential sprinkler system for around $1.13 per square foot. In most instances, sprinklers only need to be installed in habitable areas, and do not need to be installed in attics, closets, or bathrooms. A system, called flow-through protection system serves a single toilet or other plumbing fixture in addition to the fire sprinklers. Sprinkler heads are attached in-line through the supply run. The system terminates at a connection to the plumbing fixture to prevent the water from becoming stagnant. It is designed to be a part of the common domestic water supply and does not require backflow protection or an additional water meter.

Incentives for new residential developments may be available from the Springfield Fire Department including modifications to the minimum approved hydrant spacing, access road width and minimum distance allowable from the structure to the access road. The savings from these allowances may offset the cost of installing sprinklers systems during construction.

The Fire Department is proud to be a BUILT FOR LIFE Fire Department. As such, the department recognizes the importance of educating homeowners, homebuilders and other consumers on the benefits of residential sprinklers.

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For more information about sprinkler systems and incentives, visit the Fire Department at springfieldmo.gov/fire or contact Assistant Director of Public Information and Civic Engagement Melissa Haase at 417-864-1003 or 417-536-7648 or mhaase@springfieldmo.gov.