What do ya'll think of this invention idea?

[emu!]

With all the fires on the news, I came up with an idea that doesn't seem too far fetched. Here is is:

New houses would be build with a sprinkler system on the roof. A large water pipe, that is shut off at all times unless a fire is approaching, would be located at the very top of the houses gable (or around the edges). When the owner decides the fire is getting close, the roof-top sprinkler system would shower the house with water constantly.

Do-able?

[Alamo]

You had roast beef lately?

I guess the house will be well done and nice & crispy on the outside.

[Mjark]

Does the house have gutters?

[uriah1]

- You know , probably very do-able.,, however,

Just like airplane safety, ..they had a special on TV, that went through various
safety devices for planes including, wing-parachutes, ejector seats, etc,...all of it could save lives, but, was too expensive to make viable.....

Nice idea, ....though

[Arbiter]

Originally Posted by emu!

With all the fires on the news, I came up with an idea that doesn't seem too far fetched. Here is is:

New houses would be build with a sprinkler system on the roof. A large water pipe, that is shut off at all times unless a fire is approaching, would be located at the very top of the houses gable (or around the edges). When the owner decides the fire is getting close, the roof-top sprinkler system would shower the house with water constantly.

Do-able?

It's been done, as it turns out. Some of the really rich people down here in San Diego live in what are, to put it mildly, high fire danger areas - and they have pretty much the exact system on their homes that you describe.

Just a fire sprinkler system put on the outside instead of on the inside.

Also have seen a 4x4 firetruck, designed to fight brush fires, that has this as well in case the vehicle is overrun by fire.

[ADinNYC]

I've often thought of the same sort of thing. There must be some sort of technology available. Maybe a giant fire resistent blanket? Fire retardent gel? I don't know....seems like there must be something.

[scat4me]

Just don't use PVC

[Joe Sailor]

It depends on what you are protecting. Houses with sprinklers inside significantly increase survival rates. Some buildings do have a deluge system on the exterior, the ones I know of are airports were fueling is close to the windows to protect them from breaking and letting heat and smoke in.
What about clay tile roofs that cannot burn?

[Bones]

It's a good but expensive idea IF you have city water. If you are on a private well, chances are the power lines will fail in the fire and the system wont run. I guess if you have a big generator hooked up you could prevail, but all these things cost a lot of money.

[ADinNYC]

I guess there might be a way to stop the flames but stopping the heat is another matter.

[kmacaster]

Truck bedliner (the spray-able stuff) is bombproof, fireproof, and waterproof.

So, just coat your house in bedliner. Couldn't be simpler, right?

[fuzzbender]

i'd move