If you own a commercial building and your fire suppression system is predominantly made up of fire extinguishers and alarms, then you are taking a tremendous risk because even a minor fire can result in loss of property or life. Having the right commercial fire suppression system is a must if you want to mitigate your risks.
If you’re worried about affording a commercial fire sprinkler system, then the real question you should be asking is – can you afford not to have a sprinkler system installed? To help give you a better understanding of how much a commercial fire protection system might cost you, here’s a breakdown of what to expect:
- $1 to $2 per sprinklered square foot for new construction projects
- $2 to $7 per sprinklered square foot for retrofitting existing businesses
- $2 to $4 per sprinklered square foot for retrofitting high-rise buildings
- Up to $10 per sprinklered square foot for retrofitting historic buildings
Additional Factors That Can Impact Commercial Fire Sprinkler System Cost
The above numbers aren’t the only factors you need to keep in mind when budgeting for a sprinkler system installation. Other things that can affect your total cost can include:
Design: There are a range of different sprinkler system designs that can be installed in commercial buildings, such as standalone pipes with a dedicated water supply, multipurpose systems, and more. The type you choose to have installed will affect your overall cost as traditionally, standalone systems tend to cost more than multipurpose ones.
Features: If your system will have access to the municipal water supply, which most commercial systems do, then you may be required you to have a backflow preventer installed on your system. This is especially the case if your system runs on an antifreeze solution. If your building gets its water from a well or a private water source, then you may need to factor in a water storage tank and booster pump into the installation. Any additional features you add will increase the overall cost of your system.
Pipe material: Plastic is not only the most affordable type of piping, it also doesn’t corrode like certain types of metals and this makes it a popular pick to help keep costs down. But in some areas of your structure, you may not be able to use plastic piping, such as in the garage or an unfinished basement where the pipes could freeze and crack. In such areas, you may need to use copper or cast iron piping, both of which will increase the cost of your system.
Insurance costs: Many insurance companies offer premium discounts for buildings with automatic fire sprinklers, but not all do. Be sure to check your policy to find out if your provider offers discounts and how to qualify for them.
Protect Your Investment and the Lives of Those in Your Building
A fire can quickly and easily ruin your life and destroy everything you have worked for if you don’t have a properly designed commercial fire suppression system installed in your building. You simply can’t afford to not have one in your building because in most cases, it is the only thing that will protect your investment and the lives of those who live or work in your building.
Contact Metro Fire Inspections today to get a quote for your installation. We are a full-service fire protection company that offers consultative, design, installation, maintenance, inspection, and violation remediation services. Metro Fire Inspections is licensed in all five boroughs of NYC, Westchester County, Nassau County and Suffolk County.
