Get Inspired! Check the latest industry expertise and read insider tips from our vetted tradespeople.
Have you completed a project recently? Let your tradesperson know how they did.
We interview and vet all our tradespeople to ensure they meet our high standards.
Grow your business! Check out top tips and expert advice for boosting your reputation online.
Join us and benefit from the millions of potential customers who use Checkatrade to find reliable tradespeople.
Edit your profile, view callback requests and ask for feedback from customers.
When it comes to owning a property, one of our main priorities is ensuring it meets all the required health and safety standards. Research into fire suppression system costs is on the rise, which is why we’ve put together this guide to discuss:
Although house fires are rare in comparison to other home safety concerns, the UK alone reported 157,156 fire incidents in the year ending December 2019. With tragedies like Grenfell, fire-proofing our commercial or residential properties is something worth investing in.
A fire suppression system is a safety feature that ‘seeks to extinguish fires through the application of a substance.’ They are engineered to detect fires when they start using heat and smoke sensors. Once activated, they deploy a substance such as foam, mist or water to extinguish the flames.
Where fire alarms alert you to a hazard, sprinkler systems take an active role in protecting you from said hazard. They offer more active fire protection that doesn’t require manual input.
As the sprinklers are activated as soon as the system detects smoke or fire, damage to your property is kept to a minimum. Evidence shows that properties with fire sprinkler installations reduce damage by up to 90%.
Fire sprinkler systems are more reliable, safe and cost-effective. They require less maintenance than fire alarms or extinguishers and don’t need to be activated manually to protect your home. They also eradicate the need to call the fire brigade and wait for a fire engine to show up.
The cost of fire sprinkler systems can add up to the same amount it would cost you to have new carpets fitted. However, there are various factors that affect the overall price of installing a sprinkler system. These include:
We spoke to the online estimators at My Build Estimate – a professional estimating company monitored by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) – they confirmed all of the prices within this guide.
| Fire suppression system costs | How much does a fire suppression system really cost? | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unit | Price range (low) | Price range (high) | Average cost | |
| Domestic sprinkler system | Per m2 | £25 | £35 | £30 |
| Domestic sprinkler system – small 2 bed terrace house | Area | £2500 | £3500 | £3000 |
| 3 bedroom semi-detached house | Area | £3000 | £4000 | £3500 |
| 4 bedroom detached house | Area | £3500 | £4500 | £4000 |
| 1 – 2 bedroom apartment | Area | £1500 | £2000 | £1750 |
| 1 – 2 bedroom bungalow | Area | £1750 | £2500 | £2000 |
| Sprinkler head | Per unit | - | - | £225 |
| Valve box | Per unit | - | - | £95 |
| Backflow device | Per unit | - | - | £150 |
| Shut off valve | Per unit | - | - | £195 |
| Alarm system | Per unit | - | - | £600 |
| System controller | Per unit | - | - | £750 |
| PVC pipework | Per m2 | - | - | £15 |
*These are estimated, average costs. Our prices have been researched widely online by the Checkatrade team and represent a ballpark average for your proposed project. Costs may vary by region, the scope of the project and indeed by the products you plan to use.
Commercial fire sprinkler systems are automatic fire protection systems installed within commercial properties. They are based on the British compliance standard: BS EN 12845:2015.
Average cost to install a commercial fire sprinkler system: £34 per m2
Also known as a domestic fire sprinkler system, residential fire sprinklers are automatic fire protection systems installed with residential properties, such as flats, sheltered housing or care homes.
They are based on the British compliance standard: BS 9251:2014 (for residential sprinklers) and BS 8458:2015 (for residential and domestic mist sprinkler systems)
Average cost to install a domestic fire sprinkler system: £20 per m2
Choosing to have a fire suppression system installed can be a daunting task. We understand how there are various factors and costs to consider, which is why we’ve put together a table within this guide to help make your decision as easy as possible.
Due to the regulations and standards required to install a fire sprinkler system in the UK, you cannot fit or install one yourself.
When choosing a contractor, ensure they have a robust quality procedure that meets ISO standard 9001:2000 or equivalent. It is within your rights to ask for proof of certification before you agree to any works being carried out.
