Why even a rental property may be in need of a sprinkler system.
When it comes to dealing with all of the various rules and regulations that govern rental properties in Maryland, you might get a headache or two trying to sort out which apply to you. The primary determinant for whether or not you need sprinkler systems is pretty simple—how old is your rental property?
How Old Is Your Rental Property?
If the building is a rooming house or multi-family dwelling, automatic sprinkler systems should have already been installed if the building permit was issued after July 1, 1990. If you don’t, chances are your property might not be up to code. Install an automatic sprinkler system, and have the appropriate local or state authority approve your property.
If you are planning to build a rental property (or waiting for it to be built), know that in 2015 the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development approved a code that requires all one or two family dwellings to have automatic sprinkler systems. They included language to prevent local municipalities from requiring less than this standard, so budget for a complete automatic sprinkler system as part of your building.
Why Are Sprinkler Systems Important for Your Rental Property?
The importance of a sprinkler system goes beyond wanting to follow local codes and laws (although that is certainly important!). Almost 80% of deaths from fires every year happen in residences, most of which do not have proper fire prevention and treatment tools installed. Installing a sprinkler system means that if a fire occurs, the sprinkler system will activate and put out up to 20 gallons of water per minute before the firetruck is even on the way. A whopping 80-90% of home fires could be put out with a single sprinkler head that would stop the spread and wipe out the fire. Think of it this way—installing a sprinkler system now is a significant up-front cost and speedy installation, but a burned down rental property is a costly and lengthy reconstruction.
Fire Prevention and Protection Services from Fireline
Whether you need smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, or an automatic sprinkler system installed at your rental property, Fireline has you covered. We have been protecting people and properties from fire damage since 1947—and our experience shows in our excellent work! We are known for our wonderful customer service, our expertise, and our reliability. For more information on how we can help your residential or commercial property, visit us online or give us a call at (800) 553-3405. For more fire safety tips, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Google+.