Manufactured/Prefabricated Homes

Fire Sprinkler Installation for Mfg./Prefabricated Homes

Installing fire sprinklers in prefabricated homes requires careful planning and coordination. Fox Fire Prevention, Inc., a leading residential fire sprinkler contractor in Washington State, offers three primary installation options tailored to homeowners and contractors. Each option has unique advantages and considerations based on the home’s manufacturing and site placement.

Option 1: Factory Installation by Fox Fire Installers

• Process:
  Fire sprinklers are installed at the factory by Fox Fire’s team using custom designs. Once the home is on-site, the system is connected to the water supply (e.g., in a closet or garage), and modular sections are joined, if applicable.

• Inspections:

  • At the Factory: Labor and Industries (L&I) conducts cover inspections.

  • On-Site: The local Fire Marshal performs the final inspection.

• Advantages:

  • Streamlined process with fewer disruptions.

  • Ideal for factories located near Fox Fire’s service area.

• Considerations:
  This option provides the best balance of cost efficiency and quality control when proximity to the factory allows for hands-on oversight.

Option 2: Factory Installation by Factory Installers

• Process:
  The factory’s installation team installs sprinklers using Fox Fire’s design. After the home is placed on-site, Fox Fire connects the system to the water supply and assembles modular sections, if necessary.

• Inspections:

  • At the Factory: L&I conducts cover inspections.

  • On-Site: Final inspections are completed by either L&I or the local Fire Marshal.

• Advantages:

  • Reduces logistical challenges for factories located farther from Fox Fire’s service area.

• Considerations:
  Effective when long distances make direct involvement by Fox Fire installers impractical, though oversight may require careful coordination.

Option 3: On-Site Installation

• Process:
  The completed home is shipped to the site without sprinklers. Installers open sheet-rock, remove insulation, and install the system. After cover inspections and insulation restoration, the general contractor repairs the sheet-rock before final inspection and sprinkler trim-out.

• Inspections:

  • Cover inspections occur after installation and insulation tenting.

  • Final inspection follows the system's completion.

• Advantages:

  • Allows flexibility if factory installation is unavailable.

• Considerations:

  • Significantly increases costs and labor.

  • Requires substantial post-installation repairs, making it the least preferred method.

Choosing the Right Option

• Cost Efficiency: Factory installation (Options 1 & 2) minimizes expenses compared to the more labor-intensive on-site approach (Option 3).

• Logistics: Proximity to the factory and the availability of skilled installers are critical factors.

• Compliance: Ensuring inspections by L&I and local Fire Marshals meet safety standards is essential for project approval.

By aligning the choice of installation method with the home's manufacturing process and location, homeowners and contractors can achieve a compliant, cost-effective, and smoothly executed fire sprinkler system installation.