History
1874
Invention of the first automated sprinkler system by Henry S. Parmelee
1/4
2024
In the certification process at VdS: the first Smart Sprinkler
1/4
19th century
Industrialisation meets electrification
In the second half of the 19th century, industrialisation led to the emergence of large commercial enterprises. Many people and substantial material assets came together in a small space. Increasing electrification also gave rise to new fire hazards. These developments necessitated new approaches to fire prevention and protection. The first variants of automatic extinguishing systems were initially installed in American weaving mills. However, their functional principle, in which cotton threads secured the closures of pipelines and burned away in the event of a fire, proved to be unreliable.

1874
Patent application by Parmelee
On the 11th of August 1874, the American industrialist Henry S. Parmelee (1846-1902) was granted a patent for his development of a design in which the outlets of the pipes for extinguishing water were opened by melting a metal alloy. This gave birth to the principle of the modern sprinkler system, which is still an important component of fire prevention and protection concepts today. He was the first to equip the building of his piano factory "Mathushek Piano Manufacturing Co." in New Heaven, Connecticut, with the new sprinklers — others followed.

1881
Insurance companies support distribution
After the insurance companies in the USA recognised the great benefits of this innovative technology, they accelerated the installation of corresponding systems and contributed substantially to their spread. From 1881, insurance companies in Great Britain and later all over Europe also began to reward the installation of sprinkler systems with discounts on insurance premiums.

1890
Technology advances
The technical basis of the sprinkler still offered scope for a number of detailed improvements. This was recognised by Frederick Grinnell (1836-1905), who was active in the manufacture of fire prevention and protection technology. He acquired a licence for production from Parmelee and replaced his fusible link device with a glass ampoule. The ampoule contained a glycerine-based liquid that burst at a defined temperature due to the rising internal pressure, thus releasing the extinguishing water. Many sprinkler heads still work according to this principle today.

2/4
Development in Germany
Forerunner of VdS adopts first sprinkler monitoring system
From 1884, sprinkler technology also began to establish itself in Germany — by 1912 there were around 200 systems. Sprinklers initially spread under the term “Fire Extinguishing Shower” in large industrial plants, especially in mills or in textile processing. From the very beginning, the historical roots of VdS were closely linked to this development.
3/4
As the number of sprinkler systems grew, so did the realisation that they needed to be maintained on a regular basis and insptected independently of the manufacturer. The Association of German Private Fire Insurance Companies therefore decided to establish a sprinkler commission in 1904. Soon afterwards, the first “Regulations for the Sprinkler Monitoring Service” were published in 1908 and the Sprinkler Monitoring Centre of the private fire insurers was founded – the direct predecessor of the Technical Inspection Services at VdS.
VdS and the sprinkler