Questions about exterior wildfire sprinkler systems.
If you are ready to take the next step and install an exterior wildfire sprinkler system for your home, contact us using either the phone number or the “Get Started” button at the top of this page. From there you can expect the follow steps:
1. Introductory consultation over the phone
2. Potential site evaluation of your home
3. We provide a proposal and custom system design
4. Finalize the proposal and schedule installation
5. Installation typically takes two to five days
There are two ways to activate (and deactivate) your system.
Activation with the Frontline Mobile app:
1. Launch the Frontline app on your mobile device and login
2. Press the activate button
3. To activate without foam, toggle “Activate with foam?” to the left
4. Press “Activate”
Deactivation with the Frontline Mobile app:
1. Press “Deactivate”
2. The app will ask, “Are you sure…?”
3. Press “Deactivate”
Activation with the Frontline controller (typically located on the outside or you home near the other Frontline equipment):
1. Flip up the red switch cover
2. Hold the activation switch up for 3 seconds
Note: This method will always activate the system WITH foam
Deactivation with the Frontline controller:
1. Flip up the red switch cover
2. Hold the activation switch down for three seconds
Please note, that the Frontline system will not turn on automatically during a wildfire. It is up to the homeowner to activate their system.
We recommend activating when the first evacuation notice is given or when smoke and embers are within a few miles. The system provides proactive hydration and is not meant to be a fire extinguisher. For the system to work effectively it is essential to activate it well before embers arrive at your property to ensure you can hydrate the exterior of your property.
Wildfires are complex and unpredictable. No amount of care, planning or prevention hardware will fully eliminate the risk of damage or loss from wildfire. The system is designed only to mitigate the risk of damage from ember ignition during a wildfire.
No. Defensible space should be cleared first. The Frontline system, defensible space, fire-resistant building materials, and community preparedness programs are complementary solutions to mitigate risk and should be implemented in combination for the greatest efficacy.
Ask your broker whether a discount is available. If applying for a new policy, you may include the system in your application. Certain carriers give credit for installing these systems in their risk and underwriting assessment.
The system can connect to municipal, well, and/or pool water sources. Unlike interior fire sprinklers, the system is dry until activated, meaning the pipes do not hold water when the system is off.
The Frontline controller needs electricity to receive the remote activation signal from the Frontline app. The controller has a built-in battery backup that will be used if the power is out. If power is present the controller will use electricity from your home. If pool or well water is being used, a dedicated pool pump with backup power source (such as a generator or home battery) is required.
The system will run for 5 to 7 minutes per zone (if multiple zones have been installed on your home). It will then turn off for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes it will cycle through all zones again. As long as the system has access to a water source, it will run like this until it is deactivated.
The Class A firefighting foam is formulated to make water more effective for preventing fire. Surfactants significantly reduces water’s surface tension and, when mixed with air it surrounds fuel with a thick layer of water. This creates a barrier between the fuel and the fire making the water more effective reducing the amount of water needed to protect your home.
Frontline uses Class A foam that has been tested by the US Forest Service. It contains NO HAZARDOUS MATERIALS, is non-corrosive, non-toxic, readily biodegradable, and has no flashpoint. The class A foam has no chemicals listed on California’s Proposition 65 list of hazardous materials.
The system is custom designed for your home. Sprinklers are installed on the roof and under eaves and covered areas. The system will saturate the home and up to 30 feet from the exterior wall of your home.
Wind can impact the sprinkler coverage. To account for this we install our systems with more than 100% overlap in coverage between each sprinkler head. However, winds are unpredictable and can stop or change direction quickly which may impact system performance.