ABOUT

Don’t be fooled by Hollywood or the media’s myths about fire sprinklers. This site provides the most complete documentation of movies, TV shows, TV commercials, and other media improperly depicting the function and operation of fire detection and suppression systems on the web.

Five common fire sprinkler myths repeated by Hollywood are:

  • Myth #1: Pulling a fire alarm activates the fire sprinklers.
  • Myth #2:  All sprinklers activate simultaneously.
  • Myth #3: Lighters/open flames activate the fire sprinklers (often from many feet away and after only a few seconds).
  • Myth #4: Fire sprinklers can be activated via the internet or some other magic button. 
  • Myth #5: Smoke alone can activate the fire sprinklers.

The list and videos provided below are meant to be used for educational purposes. A key to the error codes is listed below the table.

The additional resources section provides links to the leading fire sprinkler organizations, where details on the true operation of fire sprinklers are available.

If you have a suggestion about something that should be added to the list, let me know and share it at the bottom of the page!

ABOUT

Don’t be fooled by Hollywood myths about fire sprinklers. This site provides the most complete documentation of movies, TV shows, TV commercials, and other media improperly depicting the function and operation of fire detection and suppression systems on the web.

Five common fire sprinkler myths repeated by Hollywood are:

  • Myth #1: Pulling a fire alarm activates the fire sprinklers.
  • Myth #2:  All sprinklers activate simultaneously.
  • Myth #3: Lighters/open flames activate the fire sprinklers (often from many feet away and after only a few seconds).
  • Myth #4: Fire sprinklers can be activated via the internet or some other magic button. 
  • Myth #5: Smoke alone can activate the fire sprinklers.

The list and videos provided below are meant to be used for educational purposes. A key to the error codes is listed below the table.

The additional resources page provides links to the leading fire sprinkler organizations, where details on the true operation of fire sprinklers are available.

If you have a suggestion about something that should be added to the list, let me know and share it at the bottom of the page!

THE LIST

Media TypeTitle/DescriptionCompany/ProductYearError typeLink
MovieA Day at the RacesMetro-Goldwyn-Mayer19371,2https://youtu.be/x6JLsDW6fws
MovieThey Wanted to MarryRKO Pictures19373,6https://youtu.be/N4d97kDhxQ0
MovieAffectionately YoursWarner Bros.19412,3https://youtu.be/LkZA_d-ZBzs
MovieThe Stone KillerColumbia Pictures19732https://youtu.be/qQZKj5z1GD4
TV ShowThe Scooby-Doo Show S1E25 "The Ghost of the Bad Humor Man"Warner Bros.19762,3https://youtu.be/sVgAGDqd2tw
TV ShowLupin III Part II S1E1 "The Return of Lupin III"NTV19772,3https://youtu.be/9wTslb1Lw_A
TV ShowThe New Avengers S2E10 "Complex"ITV19772,3https://youtu.be/6orjMDDE6SM
MovieRevenge of the Pink PantherMetro-Goldwyn-Mayer19782,5https://youtu.be/4PYVxC1oBCc
MovieThe WizUniversal Pictures19781,2https://youtu.be/kx7gyhXyhfc
MovieScavenger HuntMelvin Simon Productions19792,3https://youtu.be/6WDVhAroFis
MovieCan't Stop the MusicEMI Films19803https://youtu.be/Bag32I3GtoA
MovieTrail of the Pink PantherMetro-Goldwyn-Mayer19823,5https://youtu.be/b4eoyUcJVJo
TV ShowMagnum P.I. S4E14 "Rembrant's Girl"Universal Television19842,4https://youtu.be/waC4NMuqOJE
TV ShowTransformers: Generation 1 S2E33 "Auto-Bop" Marvel Productions19852,4https://youtu.be/FE6ZpzaUvLM
MovieJust One of the GuysColumbia Pictures19852,3https://youtu.be/1jd1RbprGQc
MovieHighlander20th Century Fox19862,5https://youtu.be/21a5Cnzo_7I
MovieAliens20th Century Fox19863https://youtu.be/_MEEu44XyWQ
MovieWho's That GirlWarner Bros.19872,3https://youtu.be/b7ztcm1n1xc
MovieDie Hard20th Century Fox19886https://youtu.be/JuFNxn9V0N0
MovieMajor LeaugeWarner Bros.19895https://youtu.be/SxtgMhNvq8E
MovieKindergarten CopUniversal Pictures19902,5https://youtu.be/KdMtiBXGfu0
MovieGremlins 2: The New BatchWarner Bros.19902,5https://youtu.be/pKGgqKzVG8Y
TV ShowTwin Peaks S2E9 "Arbitrary Law"Showtime19902,3https://youtu.be/og6d2k6Cxg4
TV ShowDarkwing Duck S1E13 "A Revolution in Home Appliances"Disney19913,5
https://youtu.be/xq2JL6fJguQ
TV ShowDarkwing Duck S1E16 "Can't Bayou Love"Disney19912,3https://youtu.be/jiqR94WoAK4
TV ShowDarkwing Duck S1E50 "In Like Blunt"Disney19912,3,5https://youtu.be/CjdjGdsy_hk
TV ShowDarkwing Duck S3E6 "The Frequency Fiends"Disney19923
https://youtu.be/pj53YRJrZXc
MovieTerminator 2: Judgment Day Carolco Pictures19912,3https://youtu.be/lp4PLCvEjW8
TV ShowBatman: The Animated Series S1E10 "Nothing to Fear"Warner Bros.19922,3,5https://youtu.be/r2k9t4R_T1E
MovieAlien320th Century Studios19922,6https://youtu.be/NWri2g2vezs
TV ShowRoseanne S5E7 " Halloween IV"ABC19922,3https://youtu.be/N2Jx85NtlTQ
TV CommercialEnergizer Bunny - Witch (Wizard of Oz)Energizer19933https://youtu.be/ZZwWstP0nBk
MovieHocus PocusDisney19933https://youtu.be/3wgWG5Wd_Mw
MovieTraumaRepublic Pictures19936https://youtu.be/RZp4mL5kWS4
MovieHackersUnited Artists19954https://youtu.be/Ol7Zzks9row
TV ShowFrasier S2E23 "The Innkeepers"NBC19952,5https://youtu.be/cdNJXHLPn8k
MovieEraserWarner Bros.19962,6https://youtu.be/lS_kB9BJDgo
TV ShowDue South S2E2 "Vault"CBS19966https://youtu.be/z4hdGixpt2g
TV ShowPokemon S1E5 "Showdown in Pewter City"TV Tokyo19973https://youtu.be/NBafqchZdls
TV ShowFrasier S4E10 "Liar Liar"Grub Street Productions19972,3https://youtu.be/c8kVB_gMhNo
TV ShowSuperman: The Animated Series S2:E10 "Double Dose"Warner Bros.19972,3https://youtu.be/4bZBE61_koA
MovieLethal Weapon 4Warner Bros.19981,2https://youtu.be/eUDXQR0qQsk
MovieBladeNew Line Cinema19982,4https://youtu.be/h9Mhz6cZtQI
MovieEnemy of the StateTouchstone Pictures19986https://youtu.be/Nzv1bLw1AVk
MovieBabe: Pig in the City Universal Pictures19982,3
https://youtu.be/iW95sGWWPtk
MovieThe MatrixWarner Bros.19992https://youtu.be/upHUSgkzyU8
TV ShowSmart Guy S3E21 "The Graduate"WB19994https://youtu.be/J61g0d_mHDo
MoiveThe Thomas Crown AffairUnited Artists19995https://youtu.be/z4QinhGCOtc
TV CommercialY2K JoggerNike19992,5https://youtu.be/p2NhAvQCI2U
TV ShowDowntown S1E3 "Hot Spot"MTV19992,3https://youtu.be/wp72Lgw9ajk
TV ShowX-Files S06E13 "Agua Mala"Fox19994https://youtu.be/GywN7K8r1sE
MovieFrequencyNew Line Cinema20002,3https://youtu.be/ONaIKvZFZ1E
MovieThe ScoreParamount Pictures20014https://youtu.be/_2mHJORnJmQ
TV ShowThe Simpsons S13E1 "Treehouse Of Horror XII"20th Century Fox20013https://youtu.be/wvn-N79t_EY
TV ShowFrasier S8E12 "The Show Must Go Off"Grub Street Productions20013https://youtu.be/OIgAWbJ5Qdk
MovieThe Man Without a PastSputnik20026https://youtu.be/y3iAmRUYLOo
MovieChanging LanesParamount Pictures20022,3https://youtu.be/3AhQC0mA7B8
MovieHollow ManColumbia Pictures20022,3https://youtu.be/3ymeKBesahg
MovieVan Wilder: Party LiasonArtisan Entertainment20021,2https://youtu.be/lioKLVgbxfE
TV ShowLaw & Order: Criminal Intent S2E6 "Malignant"NBC Universal20022,3https://youtu.be/vJmLuVwIJAc
MovieResident EvilScreen Gems20022,4https://youtu.be/HtUNVNn42GM
MovieBruce AlmightySpyglass Entertainment20032https://youtu.be/qEQHmz51IKE
MovieParty MonsterKiller Films20036https://youtu.be/zgyYR9PBhcE
TV ShowBounty Hampster S1E13 "Save the Whale" Peafur Productions20032,3https://youtu.be/d02vp2NVDFM
MovieThe IncrediblesDisney/Pixar20042,5https://youtu.be/TvlpRPpvneQ
MovieThe SpongeBob SquarePants MovieNickelodeon20042,5https://youtu.be/I76PlDH4VAw
MovieMean GirlsParamount Pictures20041,2https://youtu.be/dwDP548Mtlc
TV ShowTeen Titans S2E5 "Fear Itself"Warner Bros.20046https://youtu.be/bzFo823yWAI
MovieElizabethtownParamount Pictures20052,5https://youtu.be/XfYp7UCO4_I
MovieConstantineWarner Bros.20052,3https://youtu.be/aOL-kKHy7QY
MovieChicken LittleDisney20051,2https://youtu.be/7ob2Dxxi6_I
MovieThe Perfect ManUniversal Pictures20052,3https://youtu.be/jM6Sa8ZJeww
MovieTransporter 220th Century Fox20052,3https://youtu.be/mZQZX5KmPZo
TV ShowsGhost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex S1E24 "Annihilation"Cartoon Network20052,5https://youtu.be/RsEjOJLKTwg
MovieHouse of the Dead 2Lionsgate20052,3https://youtu.be/uldy9Cj9n5E
TV ShowThe Last Detective S3E2 "Towpaths of Glory"ITV20051,2https://youtu.be/hZSxTbh35lI
TV ShowHell Girl S1E5 "The Woman in the High Tower"Studio Deen20054https://youtu.be/CfTe4DZm-jI
MovieCasino RoyaleColumbia Pictures20062,4https://youtu.be/kFvXmTI3Ozc
MovieTeen Titans: Trouble in TokyoWarner Bros.20066https://youtu.be/Gu4O0f-98_U
MovieAcceptedUniversal Pictures20061,2https://youtu.be/qpCz-dvb6BM
TV ShowFamily Guy S4E27 "The Griffin Family History"Fox20062,3https://youtu.be/sF8NaCqBZZc
TV ShowYoung Dracula S1E5 "Like Father, Like Son"BBC20062,4https://youtu.be/MUwhp8DLga8
MovieMeet the RobinsonsDisney20072,5https://youtu.be/crPhm_GHMTg
Movie1408Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer20072,4,5https://youtu.be/tsP7Q7P1IQc
TV ShowHouse S4E2 "The Right Stuff"NBC Universal20075https://youtu.be/hpq42Ri_Ehc
MovieP2Summit Entertainment20072https://youtu.be/mx-JqkFGauw
TV ShowHouse S4E8 ""You Don't Want to Know" NBC Universal20072,3https://youtu.be/X2Vi9ywHeBA
MovieMe and Orson WellesCinemaNX20082,3https://youtu.be/Cm92eQD5dEU
MovieDrillbit TaylorParamount Pictures20082,3https://youtu.be/MExQ-Wv8rh8
TV ShowPOV S1E22 "Failing a Test"CollegeHumor20081,2https://youtu.be/VbDOguNG3rw
MovieCollegeMGM/UA20082,3https://youtu.be/437TX42QOVs
MovieHancockColumbia Pictures20082,3https://youtu.be/zDn6P2i7rOs
TV ShowA Certain Magical Index S1E2 "Innocentius" ASCII Media Works20082,5https://youtu.be/tvdtd0mgEPU
MovieMax Payne20th Century Fox20082https://youtu.be/7nswg76DXGI
TV ShowPhineas and Ferb S2E4 "Day of the Living Gelatin"Disney20092https://youtu.be/FD0_oCtlHEE
MovieThe Final DestinationNew Line Cinema20093,5https://youtu.be/uM97DTWN5Tk
MovieExamBedlam Productions20092,5,3https://youtu.be/dy7HdPGOwB4
MovieHappy Ever AftersColumbia Pictures20092,3https://youtu.be/u3mfGdyb_P4
MovieAmerican Pie Presents: The Book of LoveUniversal Pictures20092,3https://youtu.be/CvZzqrTFJPY>
TV ShowHeros S3E20 "Cold Snap"NBC20092,4https://youtu.be/NonOOpqy5Xw
TV ShowLie to Me S2E3 "Control Factor"Fox20094https://youtu.be/ub5B5M9CEw4
MovieAccidentMedia Asia Distribution20091https://youtu.be/bVt5WKzo21I
MovieMy Babysitter's a VampireTeletoon/Disney20102,3https://youtu.be/pIL5jlMlUvM
MovieRedDi Bonaventura Pictures20106https://youtu.be/Z7-NdFHRwhM
TV ShowHouse S6E12 "Moving the Chains"NBC Universal20102https://youtu.be/MIcCMzgH4KM
TV ShowThe Office S7E19 "Garage Sale"NBC20112,3https://youtu.be/RRSCgRZzGbs
TV Show1000 Ways to Die S3E33 "Dirt Nap"Spike20112,5https://youtu.be/JkMGzw4ZZJE
TV ShowCommunity S2E24 "For a Few Paintballs More"Sony Pictures Television20111,2https://youtu.be/-F4mewI9gYc
TV ShowYoung Justice S1E10 "Targets"2011Video Needed
TV ShowYoung Justice S1E12 "Homefront"2011Video Needed
TV ShowPsycho Pass S1E5 "Nobody Knows Your Face"Production I.G.20122,3https://youtu.be/rRNbIwpWcY4
MovieThe Body Rodar y Rodar Cine y Televisión20122https://youtu.be/tGWLqWfPnLc
MovieFire With FireLionsgate20121,2,4https://youtu.be/IbUhnp-4MnU
MovieJeff, Who Lives at HomeParamount Vantage20121,2https://youtu.be/L3kq5Q2eejs
MovieBad Kids Go to HellEagle Films20122https://youtu.be/6pc9-3xhVn8
MovieSo UndercoverThe Weinstein Company20123https://youtu.be/o1tNxZ9IbOo
MoviePassion2012Video Needed
TV ShowTransformers Prime S2E23 "Inside Job"The Hub20122,5https://youtu.be/BNpvklmR97s
TV ShowYoung Justice S2E8 "Satisfaction"2012Video Needed
MovieGemini ManParamount Pictures20192,3https://youtu.be/7fpVuCxW3fQ
TV ShowThe Simpsons S24E10 "A Test Before Trying"20th Century Fox20131,2https://youtu.be/KcNp_3nThIQ
TV ShowThe Crazy Ones S1:E4 "Breakfast Burrito Club"20th Century Fox20132,5https://youtu.be/kdFtwSwocTQ
MovieWhite House DownColumbia Pictures20132,4https://youtu.be/1m9YaXnKdOU
TV ShowBeware the Batman S1E11 "Instinct"Cartoon Network20132,4https://youtu.be/M1LuSZrBNoc
TV ShowCamp S1E3 "The Mixer"NBC20132,5https://youtu.be/SYRFVaZG-nk
TV ShowPsycho-Pass S1E15 "The Town Where Sulfur Falls"2013Video Needed
MovieThis Is Where I Leave YouWarner Bros.20142,5https://youtu.be/vEyW-C6JOb4
MovieVeronica MarsWarner Bros.20142,3https://youtu.be/LsVik1LNRf0
TV ShowThe Amazing World of Gumball S3E6 "The Recipe"Cartoon Network20141,2https://youtu.be/BD0uAsTQKnw
MovieL♥DKToei Company20142,3https://youtu.be/B2yqiiGERaY
TV ShowGirl Meets World S1E1 "Girl Meets World"Disney20143https://youtu.be/98P-8Nug3To
TV ShowRevenge S4E01 "Renaissance"ABC20142,4https://youtu.be/v6e9F-O8nYk
MoviePlanes: Fire & RescueDisney 20146https://youtu.be/mDUkviQr-o8
MovieThe EqualizerColumbia Pictures20142https://youtu.be/oxNvq-oNPGY
MovieTaken 320th Century Fox20142.3https://youtu.be/xrKHvOLLpR8
TV ShowThe Amazing World of Gumball S3E33 "The Society"Cartoon Network20151https://youtu.be/OXgn7NrPfxc
TV ShowBrooklyn Nine-Nine S3:E8 "Ava"NBC20154https://youtu.be/J8whL9rXFN4
TV ComercialSprinklersCDW + VMware 20152,5https://youtu.be/Xky_qpzUzPU
TV ShowMarvel Disk Wars: The Avengers S1E42 "Night of the Vampires"Walt Disney Japan20152,3https://youtu.be/Zu2-GS4ecu0
MovieThe Peanuts Movie20th Century Fox20156https://youtu.be/-m7NVnFY6sw
TV ShowMr. D S4E8 "Lockdown"CBC20152,5https://youtu.be/cd6obcfb-8s
MovieCentral IntelligenceWarner Bros.20162https://youtu.be/85XslVgwInw
TV CommercialCharline the Packing RobotJet.com20162,5https://youtu.be/s7Zw4eIpze8
MovieMiddle School: The Worst Years of My LifeCBS Films 20162,3https://youtu.be/zcYohWKCAA8
MovieBridget Jone's BabyUniversal Pictures20162,3https://youtu.be/JLGgD_d0mgQ
TV ShowAlarm für Cobra 11 - Die Autobahnpolizei
S23E8 "Alles aus Liebe"
RTL Television20174https://youtu.be/J4y5b4X-v_E
News CastIt's not a jokeOklahoma News Channel 420171https://youtu.be/Kn_HiI4f9qE
News CastFive Years After Sandy Hook, Are Schools Safer?NPR 1A 12/14/1720172https://youtu.be/MYVGo8VXk7g
TV ShowStranger Things S2E8 "Chapter Eight: The Mind Flayer"Netflix20174https://youtu.be/CM6JoNTrm00
TV ShowEastenders S33E114 BBC20173,5https://youtu.be/oEl6KXE7eEs
MovieBaby DriverSony20172,5 https://youtu.be/CGOw-A-nSoA
MoviePitch Perfect 3Universal Pictures20172,5https://youtu.be/3iG3d8xxZDY
MoviePaddington 2StudioCanal20172,3https://youtu.be/505F9w004BE
TV ShowThe Leftovers S3E4 "G’Day Melbourne"HBO20172,5https://youtu.be/LMaNuRY0RNE
TV ShowArcher S8E3 "Jane Doe"Netflix20171,2https://youtu.be/9y5ZxgZ9kxY
TV CommercialThe Unexpected: Office CelebrationThe Hartford20182,3https://youtu.be/VxVAaiSkSXU
MovieSkyscraperUniversal Pictures20184https://youtu.be/KamPX6oVg8Y
MovieIncredibles 2Disney/Pixar20183https://youtu.be/VIU9XikJNN4
TV ShowFamily Guy S16E18 "HTTPete"Fox20181, 2https://youtu.be/dAiDCgmvFwo
TV ShowBig Hero 6: The Series S1E8 "Aunt Cass Goes Out"2018Video Needed
TV ShowSpider-Man S2E10 "Bring on the Bad Guys: Part Three"2018Video Needed
TV ShowThe Resident S1E11 "And the Nurses Get Screwed"2018Video Needed
TV CommercialThe FactorySERVPRO20193https://youtu.be/gezoqvypI4w
TV CommercialHibachi GrillingGEICO Insurance20193https://youtu.be/AiB7pMFkgSw
TV CommercialMultiCover AdvertAdmiral UK20194https://youtu.be/CgFONgH7d2U
TV CommercialYour BusinessSERVPRO20193https://youtu.be/-m3WHXCN6y4
TV CommercialiPhone 11 Pro — It’s tough out thereApple20192https://youtu.be/2F0qWKjl4GU
TV ShowLost In Space S2E3 "Echoes"Netflix20196https://youtu.be/pKZbMPQTPvs
MovieI am MotherNetflix20192,3https://youtu.be/86l15JaYlEc
MovieCharlie's AnglesColumbia Pictures20195https://youtu.be/d_ugdlzEBOQ
TV ShowPuppy Dog Pals S2E21bDisney20192,5https://youtu.be/ueBMHI_itYg
TV ShowYou're The Worst S5E10FXX20192,3https://youtu.be/vY9Z4cA9Kic
TV ShowFamily Guy S17E14 "Family Guy Lite"Fox20191, 2https://youtu.be/mYpdCatTMVw
TV CommercialFire AlarmArby's20192,5https://youtu.be/MZ-ETVn1RPQ
TV ShowScooby-Doo and Guess Who? S1E11 "Now You Sia, Now You Don't!"Cartoon Network20191,2https://youtu.be/QsSojqi9Ar0
TV ShowA.P. Bio S2E3 "Wednesday Morning, 8 AM"NBC20195https://youtu.be/L1K-mOqk0Fo
MovieBye Bye MoronsADCB Films20202,4https://youtu.be/QYKrEZzISW4
TV ShowManifest S2E5NBC20206https://youtu.be/VKpnrMTZiuw
TV ShowUtopia S1E8 "Stay Alive, Jessica Hyde"2020Video Needed
MovieDie in a GunfightLionsgate20212https://youtu.be/MRwBubiLpVc
MovieA Quiet Place Part IIParamount Pictures20212,3https://youtu.be/Nz0szql-T1M
MovieNobodyUniversal Pictures20212,3https://youtu.be/wsAAsxchxjM
TV ShowSijipeuseu: The Myth S1E92021Video Needed
TV ShowWalker S2E4 "It's Not What You Think"2021Video Needed
MovieThe Glass Onion: A Knives Out MysteryNetflix20222https://youtu.be/-V1WZ0fMNFg
TV ShowJoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Stone Ocean S5E4 "The Visitor (2)"Netflix20222,3https://youtu.be/DIeh7UFgy48
TV ShowWhat We Do in the Shadows S4E10 "Sunrise, Sunset"2022Video Needed
TV ShowWednesday S1E4 "Woe What a Night"Netflix20221,2https://youtu.be/M_1dQ2lsFAg

Error Key:

1. Fire alarm pull activation

2. All sprinklers activate simultaneously

3. Lighter/open flame activation

4. Button push/key/web activation

5. Smoke activation

6. Plausible/Got it right!

Error Key:

1. Fire alarm pull activation

2. All sprinklers activate simultaneously

3. Lighter/open flame activation

4. Button push/key/web activation

5. Smoke activation

6. Plausible/Got it right!

YouTube Playlist Containing All Clips Listed Above

 

 

YouTube Playlist Containing All Clips Listed Above

CONTRIBUTE 

Want to help contribute to the site? Can you think of a movie, tv show, or commercial missing from the list? I’d love to hear about it! Use the contact box below to provide as much detail as you can (ex. movie title, year, link to clip, ect.)

Please provide your email address
Please provide as much detail as you can about the clip depicting fire sprinkler use (ex. movie title, year, link to clip, ect.)

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES 

Want to learn more about fire suppression systems? Here are a few additional resources:

News about this site:

ABOUT THE SITE’S CURATOR

Patrick Smith is an environmental, health and safety professional. He has experience working on projects related to process safety, fire protection, worker safety, continuous improvement, energy management, and risk management in a variety of settings. Patrick has conducted a variety of assessments at manufacturing and industrial facilities, hospitals, and schools, identifying process and facility improvements related to fire protection, worker safety, ergonomics, and energy management. He is passionate about fire and safety education and training, and enjoys cataloging Hollywood’s portrayal of fire sprinklers and life safety systems.