How Much Do Residential Fire Sprinkler Systems Cost?
Typical Range:
$246 - $1,264
Cost data is based on actual project costs as reported by 184 HomeAdvisor members. Embed this data
How We Get This Data
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- Homeowners use HomeAdvisor to find pros for home projects.
- When their projects are done, they fill out a short cost survey.
- We compile the data and report costs back to you.
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Updated July 20, 2022
Written by HomeAdvisor.Installing a residential fire sprinkler system ranges between $246 and $1,264, with the average homeowner spending $750. Still, costs can vary based on your home’s square footage, whether it's a new or existing structure, and additional features your pro might recommend. Smaller, simpler systems can cost as little as $100, while higher-end systems with several detectors and alarms can reach $3,000.
Fire Sprinkler System Cost Calculator
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| National Average | $750 |
| Typical Range | $246 - $1,264 |
| Low End - High End | $105 - $4,210 |
Cost data is based on actual project costs as reported by 184 HomeAdvisor members.
Cost of Fire Sprinkler System
A home fire sprinkler system costs between $200 and $990 but could cost as much as $2,400.
Residential Fire Sprinkler Systems Cost
Homeowners spend $590 on average to outfit their home with a fire sprinkler system. National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) research shows that sprinklers protect homes better than those with only a smoke alarm. Homes with fire sprinklers experienced the following:
87% fewer deaths
27% fewer injuries
70% less property damage
Additionally, homeowners with fire sprinklers save up to 8% on their homeowner’s insurance.
Standalone fire sprinkler systems
Standalone fire sprinkler systems are your most expensive option at $4 to $7 per square foot covered. This is because they require a dedicated set of pipes that connect to the primary water source.
Multipurpose fire sprinkler systems
The cost of a multipurpose fire sprinkler system averages $2 to $6 per covered square foot. Multipurpose systems share the existing household plumbing and do not require a professional to install dedicated piping, making them a more affordable choice.
New Home Fire Sprinkler System Installation Cost
On average, installing a fire sprinkler system in a new home is $0.50 to $3 per covered square foot. It’s more affordable to install a system during the build phase because they don’t require retrofitting, and contractors can plan the system alongside other building projects.
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Additional Cost Factors that Impact Fire Sprinkler Installation
The size of your home and the type of system you install will be your biggest cost factors, but you should weigh the cost against the safety benefits when deciding on a sprinkler system.
Pipe Material
Nonmetallic pipe systems—like ones made of CPVC or PEX pipe—cost between $1 and $2 per square foot of covered area. Systems that use metallic pipes—usually copper—cost around $3 to $4 per square foot of covered area for installation. You can also choose to get a mix of nonmetallic and metallic piping in your fire sprinkler system for about $1 to $2 per covered square foot.
| Material | Cost Per Square Foot |
|---|---|
| CPVC or PEX | $1 – $2 |
| Copper | $3 – $4 |
| Mix | $1 – $2 |
System Design
If you are connected to a municipal water supply, you may have to install a backflow preventer with your system. The cost to install a backflow preventer is around $300. A booster pump may be necessary in homes with well or private access to water. The average pressure booster cost is around $800.
Water Storage
Water storage tanks, as their name indicates, are tanks that store water and supply it to fire protection systems. They’re usually used when there isn’t water readily available, or an adequate water supply doesn’t exist.
Backflow Preventers
Homeowners usually install backflow preventers when a public water supply is available, but it’s vulnerable to contamination from fertilizers and other groundwater pollutants. They create a water supply that is safe to use in home fire prevention systems.
Lifetime Costs
Undoubtedly, a fire system is an investment, but it often comes with reduced insurance premiums. When considering your budget, contact your insurance company to discuss your potential savings and factor that into your calculations.
Additional Home Fire Protection
In addition to a residential fire sprinkler system, you can take additional measures to protect your home from fires or prepare yourself if a fire breaks out.
Fire Extinguisher Cost
New fire extinguishers cost $100 to $500 upfront, and another $30 to $100 to inspect and maintain annually. Adding an extinguisher to your home’s sprinkler system adds necessary fire protection.
Fire Blankets
You can get a highly-resistant fire blanket for $10 to $100. Most nonflammable blankets withstand temperatures of up to 900 degrees and can even extinguish small fires. They typically last seven years and, unlike a smoke detector or extinguisher, won’t need any upkeep.
Smoke Detectors, Heat Sensors & Carbon Monoxide Alarms
Smoke detectors, heat sensors, and carbon monoxide detectors are important components of your home’s fire alarm system. You should allocate a portion of your budget for these alarms, as sprinkler systems are only part of the solution to warning and protecting you from uncontrollable fires.
| Protection Type | Average Price |
|---|---|
| Smoke detectors | $10 – $65 |
| Heat sensors | $60 – $100 |
| Carbon monoxide detectors | $15 – $150 |
Smoke detectors reduce the chances of fatal fire accidents. Check the batteries every three months (new batteries cost $5 to $10) and replace your smoke detector every 10 years.
Heat sensors detect smoke and sudden temperature spikes. If adding a heat sensor to your home’s fire alarm systems, you may have to pay for a monthly monitoring service.
Carbon monoxide detectors alert household members when there is an unsafe amount of CO in the home—a colorless, odorless, and poisonous gas. You should consider replacing your monitor every five to seven years.
DIY vs. Hire a Professional
Fire sprinkler systems involve complex piping and plumbing work, as well as wiring of alarms and sensors. Without expert contracting, plumbing, and electrical experience, you’ll have flooding and water damage problems at best. At worst, you won’t have help when it’s needed most. Hire a dependable, local fire sprinkler installation company instead—your life could depend on it!
FAQs
Can you install your own fire sprinkler system?
Your safety is not worth doing things “on the cheap,” especially regarding fire protection. Fires are extremely dangerous and more common than people think. Hire a professional to ensure a safely installed and functioning fire sprinkler system.
How do home fire sprinkler systems work?
Fire sprinkler systems activate when the air temperature spikes to dangerous levels.
A fire causes a spike in air temperature; hot air rises.
Most sprinklers have a glass bulb that’s filled with glycerin. This glycerin expands when exposed to air between 135 and 165 degrees.
As the glycerin expands, it will break the glass bulb and set off the sprinklers.
Pressurized water flows from the sprinklers (this water connects to an outside water source), slowing or stopping the flames
What are the types of fire extinguishers?
There are four types of fire extinguishers classifications, according to the type of fire they fight.
| Extinguisher | Type of Fire |
|---|---|
| Type A | Paper, wood, fabric and other materials that burn easily |
| Type B | Gasoline, grease and other highly flammable liquids or gases |
| Type C | Electrical |
| Type D | Industrial, burning metals |
A fire extinguisher is usually designed to combat more than one type of fire. For example, a Type B, or C extinguisher can handle everything from grease to electrical fires.
What is the best fire extinguisher for home use?
Homeowners typically want a type B or C extinguisher. Because water often works for smaller type A fires, a type B or C extinguisher can handle more fire types.
What size fire blanket do I need?
The blanket size you need depends on what you’re looking to protect. Smaller blankets measure about 3-by-3-feet, medium blankets are about 6-by-6-feet, and larger blankets are 10-by-10-feet.
You might feel safer with a bigger blanket, particularly if you put a fire on a person or try to cover a larger area. Smaller blankets will still work for smaller fires.
Where should smoke and carbon monoxide detectors be placed?
Install at least one smoke and carbon monoxide detector on every floor of your home, as well as in the garage and basement.
Kitchens are a good spot to install a smoke detector. You won’t want to hear the smoke detector every time you make a spicy stir-fry, so install them 10 feet away from appliances. Likewise, you might want to place the sensor at a safe distance from the bathroom to prevent steam from triggering the alarm.
Can fire sprinklers cause water damage?
Yes, any time you have water that comes in contact with your furniture or home structure there is the potential for damage. However, any water damage that a fire sprinkler causes would be significantly less than the damage that a fire would cause to your home.
Does a fire sprinkler system increase home value?
Fire sprinklers can increase the resale value of your home, and they can also be a benefit when marketing your home for sale. Buyers are more likely to purchase a home with fire sprinklers, especially in areas with a high fire risk. There are also insurance benefits to installing a fire sprinkler system, and some companies offer discounts between 5% and 30%.
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