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.
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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