Table 11 Reported reasons for sprinkler systems to operate ineffectively
Source | Years | Types of systems | Water did not reach fire | Inappropriate system for fire | Not enough water released | Manual intervation | Damaged component | Lack of maintenance | Exposure fire | Faulty building construction | Miscellaneous | Unknown |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(Tryon and McKinnon 1969) | 1925-1964 | Not specified | 19% | 35% | 21% | Â | 4% | Â | 4% | 13% | 4% | Â |
(Hall 2006) | 1999-2002 | All sprinklers | 55% | 7% | 31% | 2% | 5% | Â | Â | Â | Â | Â |
(Hall 2007) | 2002-2004 | All sprinklers | 41% | 14% | 29% | 6% | 4% | 6% | Â | Â | Â | Â |
(Hall 2010) | 2003-2007 | All sprinklers | 43% | 12% | 31% | 5% | 4% | 4% | Â | Â | Â | Â |
(Hall 2012) | 2006-2010 | All sprinklers | 53% | 3% | 18% | 9% | 9% | 8% | Â | Â | Â | Â |
(US Department of Energy 2004) | 1955-2003 | Water-based | Â | Â | Â | None reported | Â | Â | Â | Â | Â | Â |
(Powers 1979) | 1969-1978 | High-rise office buildings | Â | Â | Â | None reported | Â | Â | Â | Â | Â | Â |
(Powers 1979) | 1969-1978 | High-rise buildings (excl. office) | Â | 100% | Â | Â | Â | Â | Â | Â | Â | Â |
(Powers 1979) | 1969-1978 | Low rise buildings | Â | 39% | Â | Â | Â | Â | 12% | 15% | 18% | 16% |
(Marryatt 1988) | 1886-1986 | All sprinklers | 26% | 29% | 2% | 9% | Â | Â | 13% | Â | Â | 21% |
| Â | Â | Mean | 39% | 20% | 32% | 6% | 5% | 6% | 10% | 14% | 11% | 19% |
| Â | Â | St. dev. | 14% | 14% | 30% | 3% | 2% | 2% | 5% | 1% | 10% | 3% |