Sprinklers are an important part of the fire protection systems in CofC residence halls and many other campus buildings. Like fire alarms, these systems are checked on a regular basis. Their purpose is to suppress a fire and keep it from spreading. Water flowing in the system triggers the fire alarm.

One of the popular activities in Residence Halls are "hall sports" (throwing balls, Frisbees, etc. in hallways). These activities damage fire sprinkler heads and fire alarm equipment. Designed to be sensitive to rising temperatures, sprinkler heads are easily damaged when they are bumped. Likewise, hanging objects (coat hangars or decorations) from sprinkler heads and pipes can cause the sprinkler head to break and flow water.

Water from a sprinkler activation can leave oily stains on carpet and other furnishings and destroy most of your electronic equipment. Repair costs due to tampering or negligence are charged to the department responsible for the building that sustained the damage. In turn, Residence Life or Physical Plant will attempt to bill the person responsible for the damage in order to keep down costs.

Interested how sprinklers work? View an animation at Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition.

Please report any leaking sprinkler equipment to the Division of Fire and Life Safety Department at 953-5611.