Are you in the search for a new apartment or condo? We have a list of considerations for you and a closer look at residential fire sprinklers. Learn how they work, what to ask, and why you should have them in your residence.

1. Fire Sprinklers are the Key
To Safety in Apartments & Condos

2. What should you consider when looking for
an apartment or condo?
Make sure you can
afford it. The
rent/mortgage should
be 25% of your take
home pay a month or
less.
1
How are your neighbors
and/or landlord?
2
Where are the common
walls?
3
Go to the
neighborhood at night.
Is it safe?
4
How is the pet policy?
5
Is your commute
reasonable?
6

3. What should
you look at
that you
probably
aren’t?
Does the property have fire sprinklers?

4. What do you get with fire sprinklers?
Increased safety
1
Peace of mind
2

5. What are the
current fire
sprinkler
requirements
for residential
real estate?
100 communities in Illinois
have required fire sprinklers
in new homes.
Buildings 80+ feet tall in
Chicago require fire
sprinklers (Chapter 15-16,
Section 13-196-207)
• An exception to this rule is landmark
buildings.

6. How do fire sprinklers work?
• Fire sprinklers are installed on the ceiling. You can see a
few inches of the sprinkler.
• The sprinkler is strategically placed for the biggest impact.
• Fire sprinkler activate only when the fire gets hot enough to
activate it.

7. What about
accidental
activation?
The fire needs to get to a
temperature of 135 – 165
degrees Fahrenheit to
activate the fire sprinkler.
Only fire sprinklers closest to
the fire activate

8. This doesn’t
happen.

9. How does the
sprinkler head
sense the fire?
• Diagram by Fire Sprinkler Initiative

10. What should
you ask when
buying or
renting an
apartment or
condo?
if the units have fire sprinklers.Ask
if the common areas are protected by fire
sprinklers.Ask
your real estate agent or leasing agent to
seek out residences with fire sprinklers.Ask

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