Backflow protection and residential fire sprinklers

The current risk of death or injury from fire is 11.1 times higher than the current risk of waterborne illness. An analysis was conducted to determine the possible overall public health effect of residential fire sprinklers are connected to municipal water supply systems. Risk-versus-benefit calculations associated with the installation of residential fire sprinkler systems with an without various levels of backflow prevention are presented. The degree of risk for waterborne illness would remain essentially unchanged from current conditions if residential sprinkler systems were installed with a simple check valve device, and the relative degree of risk from fire would be reduced from 11.1 to 5.8.