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.

This comparison explains how Automist and traditional fire sprinklers differ in what happens after activation, particularly in terms of water use, damage, and insurance impact. While sprinklers are effective at controlling fires, they rely on heat buildup and discharge large volumes of water broadly until manually shut off, often leading to significant secondary damage and costly repairs even in small incidents. They can also activate unintentionally due to impact, heat from non-fire sources, freezing pipes, or component failure. In contrast, Automist uses targeted water mist at much lower flow rates, activates earlier through verified fire detection, and shuts off automatically, resulting in minimal water use and limited damage in documented real-world events. These differences lead to distinct risk profiles, with sprinkler systems typically associated with lower frequency but higher severity claims, while water mist systems may reduce overall damage and disruption, though insurance treatment varies.

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.