Check the small print
Many watermist and fire sprinkler quotes make the client responsible for considerable elements of the installation (if required):
- Water supply to the system: to be supplied and installed by other contractors
- Cost to supply a priority demand valve
- Aligning the sprinkler nozzles with lighting fixtures or HVAC
- Abortive visits or callouts
- Making good of finishes/decoration
- Taking down ceilings
- Bringing out hoses
- Water authority permission when a direct connection
- Electrical supply to the system
- Alarm connection to the system
- Provision of safety lighting during installation
- Drilling a 54mm hole through plasterboard at the dry-line stage
- Suitable shelf/cupboard for unit placement
- Suitable welfare facilities during installation
- Building works
- Core drilling
- Sprinkler nozzle placement at ceiling closure stage
Questions to ask
- Has the water supply been designed to cater for a sprinkler system at the planning stage?
- Who fits the bill if there is a false activation? What's the likely damage?
- What are the costs for any pre-installation work?
- Do you charge any abortive fee? In what circumstances are they applied?
- Can the system be connected to the mains water supply? Will the system require a storage tank or priority valve?
- Is the price for 'making good' included in the quote?
- Is there space in the loft for a large quantity of water and a pump?
- If not, can the tank be located on the ground floor, basement or garage?
- Are the ceiling voids accessible?
- What are the costs to provide adequate power for your system?
Most manufacturers take no liability for false activations
Automist is different! We have been able to drive down the likelihood of accidental water damage from our systems to such an extent that insurers consider such losses minor in actual terms and relative to traditional sprinkler systems.