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History of Fire Sprinkler Systems

As early as 1913 a study showed that only 5 people had died in fires where sprinklers were on the property. Since that time, many more lives have been saved by this invention.

  1. 1860

    • Barnabas Wood of Nashville, Tennessee patented the first basic sprinkler.

    1864

    • Four years later, Henry Parmelee made modifications and produced the first practical automatic sprinkler.

    1881

    • Frederick Grinnell of Providence, Rhode Island patented the first sensitive automatic sprinkler and incorporated it with a tooth-edged deflector and ½-inch orifice.

    1895

    • The National Fire Protection Association was founded in Boston. The NFPA set standards for automatic sprinklers and by 1899 requirements became uniform throughout the United States and Canada.

    1933

    • The NFPA released the first guide to fire departments regarding the proper use of sprinkler systems.

    1939

    • A standard for the Care and Maintenance of Sprinkler Systems was set by the NFPA. The industry was launched into a new level of fire protection.

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