Home sprinklers are critical in reducing the severity of a home fire, the Washington State Fire Marshal’s Office said. A combination of fire sprinklers and smoke alarms may reduce the risk of dying in a fire by 82%, according to the United States Fire Administration (USFA).

Below are some benefits of installing residential fire sprinklers:

– Life safety is increased because sprinklers reduce heat, flame, and smoke from fire.

– Sprinklers reduce property and content losses in a home fire by 55%.

– USFA estimates the installation cost in a new home to be about $1.35 per square foot, and there is potential of lowering insurance rates by 5 to 15% by meeting code requirements.

– Installation can be done in new and existing structures.

– Sprinklers activate from elevated temperatures, not smoke — preventing accidental activation.

– Fire sprinklers respond independently, ensuring response to only the affected areas.

– Sprinklers use 91% less water to extinguish a fire than a fire department response.