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Fire Sprinkler Head Specifications

Working fire sprinklers have proven in actual fire emergencies to save lives and conserve property. Commercial buildings have been protected for years by automatic sprinklers. In recent years, both homeowners and insurance companies have realized the protection afforded by sprinklers to private residences and they are becoming more prevalent in that application. The sprinkler heads are now being hidden and made decorative just for these residential applications.

  1. Types of Sprinkler Head Mounting Options

    • Sidewall sprinklers are found in many hotel rooms.

      There are a few main types of sprinkler head mounting options. The upright style is located above the ceiling pipes and the water deflectors on these heads cause the water to rain down in an umbrella pattern when activated. The pendulum style hangs below the piping and the deflectors force the water down onto the fire in a cone-shaped pattern. Side wall styles protrude from the wall and are seen in many hotel rooms. These sprinkler heads force water out horizontally across a space.

    Sprinkler Activation Temperatures

    • Fire sprinklers are designed to activate at different temperatures according to the building environments in which they are used. Some locations, such as manufacturing plant mechanical rooms, reach very high ambient temperatures at normal operation and this must be taken into account when choosing sprinkler heads. Sprinklers are classified by the National Fire Protection Association according to their activation temperatures, which range from "Ordinary" at 135 to 170 degrees Fahrenheit to "Ultra High" at 500 degrees or more.

    Sprinkler Head Construction

    • Sprinkler heads are constructed of a metal frame, a threaded stem to attach the head to the distribution piping, and some type of destructible activator. The activator, or fusible link, is designed to activate the head at predetermined temperature. This link may made of a metal that melts at temperature, or a glass bulb that bursts at temperature. Some companies put different color liquids into the glass bulbs to indicate their burst temperatures. The water flow orifice is also variable as to the amount of water able to be discharged.

    Sprinkler System Water Supply

    • The sprinkler head must have a sustainable water supply to be effective. This may be the residential water system or a dedicated elevated tank exclusive to the fire protection of a structure. Sprinkler systems also may be augmented by an electric-, diesel- or natural gas-powered fire pump. Sprinkler systems are also designed to be supplied by a fire department pumper truck to boost the pressure and volume of water that can be delivered onto a fire.

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