UL 2167A is the UL standard certifying Automist, created for electronically controlled, targeted watermist systems in a residential settings. It requires systems to demonstrate they can “control, extinguish, or suppress fire” through rigorous testing in realistic scenarios, while also verifying spray performance and reliability under real-world conditions. Applicable to wall-mounted systems in one- and two-family dwellings and installed in accordance with NFPA 750, it provides AHJs and insurers with an independent, recognised basis that the system can reduce fire risk and protect life.

Conventional residential sprinklers can discharge 13+ gallons per minute across a room until the water supply is manually shut off, so even a successful activation can cause significant secondary water damage. Automist targets the fire using much less water and shuts off automatically, helping reduce damage, clean up and disruption after an incident.

Possibly. While insurance discounts or “policy credits” are determined on a case-by-case basis, Automist has already been used successfully to secure coverage and lower premiums for high-value homes — especially in wildfire-prone areas and PPC 10 risk classifications where traditional coverage is increasingly difficult to obtain.

As insurers tighten underwriting criteria due to rising wildfire risk and water damage claims, automatic discounts for standard fire suppression systems are becoming less common. However, Automist stands out as an innovative loss mitigation solution — not only by reducing fire damage, but also by minimizing the risk of excessive water damage, which is a major cost concern for insurers.

NFPA 750 is the Standard on Water Mist Fire Protection Systems, published by the National Fire Protection Association. It establishes minimum requirements for the design, installation, maintenance and testing of water mist systems based on engineering principles, fire test data and field experience. Where NFPA 13D prescribes specific design rules for residential sprinklers, NFPA 750 takes a performance-based approach: it sets the framework, but reliance is placed on listed equipment that has demonstrated performance through fire testing, installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

Watermist is a water spray for which the cumulative volumetric distribution of water droplets is less than 1000 μm (1mm) within the nozzle’s operating pressure range. The use of watermist technology to safeguard building inhabitants and assets has gained popularity over the last 30 years. Watermist does this by maximizing the efficiency and effectiveness of droplet deployment. The methodology varies depending on both the manufacturer and the application, from the nozzle design, appearance, spacing, activation method, location to orientation.