I know that sprinkler systems can tie into the water lines coming into a building, but can a mishap where a sink starts leaking (or in this case exploding) trigger a water flow device and set off the alarms?
Looks like there was a ton of steam from the hot water. It probably set off the smoke alarm in the dorm.
I would agree with this statement.
me too
I agree 50%, but it could’ve leaked into the ground, and damaged a smoke alarm. And the panel would’ve had a trouble and then get set off.
Very unlikely. In addition to most commercial buildings having concrete floors, smoke detectors typically just stop working when wet and a trouble would not cause an alarm.
I’m a bit interested in wondering how the hell that sink exploded.
Well knowing that it’s a room full of college guys, it’s not all that surprising that it could happen.
But how did they do it? 
The sink doesn’t appear to actually have exploded…
It appears that the knob or faucet part may have came off.
I’m thinking more along the lines of… Leaked or was EXTREMELY hot and/or steaming…