What Is the Cost of a Fire Suppression System?
For commercial properties, a high-quality, comprehensive fire suppression system can be the difference between minor fire damage and outright catastrophe. Whether you’re looking to replace or upgrade an existing fire suppression system or design a new, custom system, you’re probably wondering how much it’s going to cost and, just as importantly, whether it’s worth the investment.
We’ve put this article together to answer those very questions (though if you’re looking for a quick answer as to whether it’s worth it, that answer is an easy “yes,” especially when compared with the potential cost of not having an effective system in place). Let’s look at fire suppression system requirements, what you can expect to pay, and why installing the right type of system is absolutely worth it.
What Are the Fire Suppression System Requirements for Commercial Property?
The International Fire Code (IFC) maintains specific standards designed to protect employees as well as property in commercial settings. These standards “regulate minimum fire safety requirements for new and existing buildings, facilities, storage and processes” and address topics like “fire prevention, fire protection, life safety and safe storage and use of hazardous materials,” and can be reviewed here.
What Is a Commercial Fire Suppression System?
While a sprinkler system might be a component of a broad fire suppression system, “fire suppression” is technically its own category. The biggest difference between sprinklers and fire suppression systems is what they use to suppress fires. Sprinkler systems use water, while fire suppression systems typically use clean agents—which are not only non-conductive and non-corrosive, they also leave no residue behind.
Installing a clean agent system helps protect against fire damage and can greatly reduce the amount of downtime or disruption a minor fire could cause for your business.
How Much Does a Fire Suppression System Cost?
A commercial fire suppression system [can] cost anywhere from a few thousand dollars to $30,000 or more. There are many factors that will impact how much you can expect to spend on an effective, custom-designed commercial fire suppression system, including:
- System type: Different fire suppression system types will have different costs; generally, the more complex the system is, the more you can expect it to cost.
- Fire risk size/location: In most cases, a small commercial fire suppression system will cost less than systems designed for bigger spaces—or multiple buildings/facilities.
- Regulatory requirements: As you evaluate your options, it’s important to keep applicable regulatory requirements in mind. Establishing and maintaining compliance with local building codes and similar regulations is mandatory—and failing to meet them can cause costly fines and penalties. Not to mention, your insurance provider will most likely want your fire suppression system to be up to code.
- Equipment and materials: From alarm and sprinkler systems to direct and indirect release systems, these costs can add up—but an effective fire suppression system can ultimately save you plenty in the long run.
- Installation: Installation costs can fluctuate based on many of the other factors in this list. For example, a more complex layout—or sensitive considerations like electrical panels or wind turbines—may cost more to install than traditional commercial fire sprinkler systems (which would pose a significant risk of electrical fires) would.
For more specific information, feel free to reach out and request a quote from the team at Firetrace.
What Type of Fire Suppression System Is Least Expensive?
Fire sprinkler systems are often considered the least expensive type of fire suppression system component, but they’re not appropriate for all environments. In many manufacturing and machining facilities, for example, a traditional sprinkler system could wreak havoc on vital, expensive equipment.
In these and similar environments, you’re better off going with a fire suppression system designed to not only be effective and efficient, but safer for employees and equipment as well. In the worst cases, water damage from a traditional sprinkler system can ultimately cost more than it would have cost to install a more suitable system in the first place.
Is a Fire Suppression System Worth It?
Yes—especially if it has been custom-designed for your specific needs. Consider electrical panels, for example. Investing in the wrong type of fire suppression system—water sprinklers instead of a special hazard fire suppression system, for example—might seem like a good idea, but it also might make your problem a whole lot worse by damaging equipment or making the fire spread.