Economic Analysis of Residential Fire Sprinkler Systems.
Economic Analysis of Residential Fire Sprinkler Systems.
(4026 K)
Brown, H.
NISTIR 7277; 67 p. December 2005.
Sponsor:
U.S. Fire Administration, Emmitsburg, MD
Keywords:
sprinkler systems; sprinklers; residential buildings;
building fires; building economics; cost analysis; cost
effective decision; economic analysis; life-sycle cost
Abstract:
This report designs and applies a comparative life-cycle
cost analysis to multipurpose network and stand-alone
fire sprinkler systems designed in compliance with NFPA
13D. The life-cycle costs of the systems are studied in
each of three NIST-designed prototypical house
floorplans: a 3338 ft2 (310 m2) two-story colonial with
basement, a 2257 ft2 (210 m2) three-story townhouse, and
a 1171 ft2 (109 m2) single-story ranch. The economic
analysis follows the standard method in ASTM E917-02,
and includes those elements of life-cycle cost that are
unique to each system, such as design, material,
installation and inspection costs. System plans, a
comprehensive list of required components, and material
costs were obtained from manufacturers and sprinkler
system installers. NIST economists obtained data on a
multipurpose network design and three stand-alone
designs from manufacturers and sprinkler system
installers. To these material cost data were added
estimates of installation cost and design cost. In
addition to the economic analysis of the sprinkler
system designs, this report documents the collection and
development of the cost data. The comparative analysis
is applied to the cost data to determine which of the
proposed systems analyzed in this report has the lowest
estimated life-cycle cost. Estimated cost results for
all systems are within a close range, and are most
sensitive to the decision to incorporate a backflow
preventer. Both the cost data in this report and the
cost-effectiveness analysis are intended to support a
followon benefit-cost study by NIST on residential
sprinkler systems.
Building and Fire Research Laboratory
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Gaithersburg, MD 20899