Sprinklers for unoccupied or unheated space

But wait! There IS a place for other types of sprinklers in residential

sprinkler systems. Residential sprinklers ensure that living spaces remain
livable, but not every part of the house is a living space. If you want to
protect garages, attics, machine rooms, or other such areas, you can
reach for different kinds of equipment. NFPA 13D says:

7.5.3 Listed residential or quick-response standard spray dry pendent or dry

sidewall sprinklers shall be permitted to be extended into unheated areas not
intended for living purposes.

7.5.4 Quick-response sprinklers shall be permitted to be used in mechanical closets.

Sprinklering a mechanical room could be a very good idea—heating and

electrical equipment was the second (14%) and third (12%) most
common causes of home structure fires between 2013 and 2017. In
mechanical closets, quick-response sprinklers that are not necessarily
residential models are permitted.

Though model standards do not require it, it could also be a smart idea
to sprinkler spaces like attics and garages—and some state and local
codes have this requirement. Especially in cold climates, pipes in these
spaces can be vulnerable to freezing. This makes them difficult to
protect with sprinklers. Fortunately, NFPA 13D allows for the use of dry-
barrel sprinklers.

Specially-designed dry sprinklers prevent freezing without the mess and

hassle of antifreeze or a full dry sprinkler system. Dry sprinklers work like
miniature dry sprinkler systems—a pressurized gas-filled “dry barrel”
behind the sprinkler head holds a valve shut. The dry barrel passes
through a wall or ceiling to a heated space, connecting to the rest of the
sprinkler system. When the sprinkler operates, the pressure is released,
and water flows from the house’s heated area, through the barrel, and
out the sprinkler head.
 A dry barrel sprinkler is a
dry sprinkler system in miniature. The pressurized barrel can extend
through a wall from a heated room to an unheated room. If the sprinkler
activates, the pressure is released, and water flows to the head. Source:
Viking via Sprinkler Age
Sprinkler temperature rating
Fire sprinklers operate at specific temperatures. As such, they are rated
for different environments so that there’s a contrast between the normal
ambient temperature and the activation temperature. Sprinklers with an
“Ordinary” temperature rating can be safely used where ceiling
temperatures won’t exceed 100 °F. NFPA 13’s rules for the max ceiling
temperatures are summarized below:
 NF
PA 13’s Table 7.2.4.1 lists the temperature rating requirements for
different ceiling temperature ranges. In a residential setting, an ordinary
temperature rating is sufficient except in certain circumstances.
For a residential sprinkler system, ordinary temperature-rated sprinklers
will do the job most of the time.

However, NFPA 13D (7.5.6.3) outlines several scenarios where residential

sprinkler heads should have a higher temperature rating than average:

 Sprinklers under glass or plastic skylights should be rated for

intermediate temperatures
 Sprinklers in unventilated concealed spaced under an
uninsulated room should be rated for intermediate
temperatures
 Sprinklers in unventilated attics should be rated for
intermediate temperatures
 Sprinklers in closes with ventless clothes driers should be
rated for intermediate temperatures or higher
 Sprinklers in saunas and steam rooms should have a high-
temperature rating
In addition, consider how near the sprinkler will be to various heat
sources like fireplaces, wood-burning stoves, kitchen ranges, hot water
pipes, and light fixtures. If the sprinkler is close, you might need to use
an intermediate sprinkler instead of an ordinary sprinkler. This table has
NFPA 13D’s rules on sprinkler proximity to heat sources.

Be
tween fireplaces, ovens, ranges, furnaces, and light fixtures, homes have
many heat sources. Table 7.5.6.3 in NFPA 13D summarizes what
temperature rating a sprinkler needs if it is near different sources.
Pick residential sprinkler heads with the
right K-factor
In fire sprinkler systems—residential or commercial—the pressure is
everything. You need enough force behind the sprinkler head to achieve
sufficient water flow and density. A sprinkler’s K-factor is one aspect of
hydraulic design—a bigger value means a larger orifice and more flow at
a given pressure. Picking the right K-factor for a residential sprinkler is
important.

Standard residential water pressure is between 40 and 80 psi before

losses. Because NFPA 13D applies to one- and two-family dwellings (not
big buildings), pressure losses from elevation and pipe friction are
usually small. Thus, residential sprinkler heads don’t typically come with
the high K-factors used in commercial settings to achieve sufficient flow
despite pressure losses.

Instead, home sprinklers usually have K-factors between 3.0 and 5.8,

with small increments in between. This gives designers and technicians
lots of options for achieving the required flow and density, which is
especially valuable when the coverage demands and available pressure
can vary significantly between projects.

Consider concealed sprinklers for

residential fire sprinkler systems
Aesthetics are especially important in the home, as owners don’t want
sprinklers to clash with their décor. When picking heads for their
decorative appeal, cosmetic finishes are available on regular pendent
and sidewall sprinklers. But don’t forget about concealed sprinkler
heads.

Concealed models are very popular in residential settings. Their function

is simple. Usually, a decorative but heat-sensitive cover plate hides the
head. In the event of a fire, the cover plate drops away before the
sprinkler activates by having a slightly lower temperature rating.
 Co
ncealed-head sprinklers are an excellent choice for residential settings.
They are available with many attractive finishes and patterns and can be
had in pendent or horizontal sidewall orientations. Options are also
available for dome-shaped cover plates instead of disks.
Concealed sprinklers are popular because they are unobtrusive. Most
people don’t give concealed models a second glance because they blend
in so well.

Sprinkler manufacturers like Viking, Victaulic, and Tyco

manufacture cover plates in various standard colors and ship custom
colors on request. Viking can also do custom artwork prints. Senju cover
plates come in a similar variety of colors, decorative wood patterns, and
custom colors and patterns.
 M
any cover plates are absolutely gorgeous. Senju makes many wood-
patterned covers that you can match to the décor, such as these gold
oak and cherry chestnut models (top). Viking’s brushed copper and
brushed chrome (bottom) versions are also very nice. Shop our full
selection of cover plates and concealed residential fire sprinklers,
or contact us about custom paint and designs.
Concealed sprinklers are also protected from damage. With the head
safely behind the cover plate, no one can use them to hang clothes, and
they are less likely to be hurt by an indoor soccer game.