#48 – How to Replace Fire

Sprinkler Escutcheons
Using Retrofit Escutcheons
June 3, 2016

Decorative retrofit sprinkler head

escutcheons install quickly, facilitating
the timely activation of fire sprinklers
Fire sprinkler escutcheons cover the hole left in a wall or ceiling when a
sprinkler head is installed. But the benefits are more than just aesthetic:
by preventing hot air from passing into attics or other spaces, an
escutcheon helps ensure that fire sprinklers activate at their rated
temperatures.

Retrofit fire sprinkler escutcheons, sometimes also called split-ring or

two-piece escutcheons, can make the task of replacing a defective or
broken escutcheon much easier. In this article, we look at the types and
functions of fire sprinkler escutcheons, including recessed, flat, and
adjustable models. We’ll wrap up by explaining how to install retrofit
sprinkler head escutcheons in their place.

If you’re more interested in ordering escutcheons than reading about

them,  skip directly to our full selection of retrofit fire sprinkler escutcheons.

Escutcheons, required in NFPA-

compliant systems, are found with all
kinds of fire sprinklers
While some facilities with open ceilings leave fire sprinkler system piping
exposed, most conceal those pipes behind a wall or ceiling. Escutcheons,
which are typically finished to match the color of the fire sprinkler, allow
sprinkler heads to pass through drywall or other materials without
exposing the open spaces behind them.
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is white retrofit sprinkler head escutcheon fits recessed fire sprinklers.
Fire sprinkler escutcheons are essential to sprinkler performance. An
escutcheon that doesn’t fit or is missing may delay sprinkler activation or
cause serious malfunctions. The National Fire Protection Association
(NFPA), which develops standards referenced by model codes adopted
by state and local governments, has specific guidelines pertaining to the
use of escutcheons with sprinkler heads. These rules are presented
in NFPA 13: Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems.

From the 2022 edition of NFPA 13

7.2.6 Escutcheons and Cover Plates.

7.2.6.1 Plates, escutcheons, or other devices used to cover the annular space

around a sprinkler shall be metallic or shall be listed for use around a sprinkler.

7.2.6.2* Escutcheons used with recessed, flush-type, or concealed sprinklers shall

be part of a listed sprinkler assembly.
A.7.2.6.2 The use of the wrong type of escutcheon with recessed or flush-type
sprinklers can result in severe disruption of the spray pattern, which can destroy
the effectiveness of the sprinkler.

16.2.5.4 The use of caulking or glue to seal the penetration or to affix the

components of a recessed escutcheon or concealed cover plate shall not be
permitted.

Rising smoke and heat travel along the walls and ceiling. In NFPA-
compliant systems, these surfaces resist the passage of smoke and heat.
But an undersized escutcheon could allow that heat to bypass the fire
sprinkler head. And if hot air goes around the head and into the wall or
ceiling, the sprinkler’s activation could take longer, allowing the fire to
spread.

A
fire sprinkler without an escutcheon hangs from a ceiling. Image
source: TripAdvisor
What does the NFPA mean by the phrase “listed sprinkler assembly”?
Listings certify that a third-party group has tested sample fire sprinkler
heads—with escutcheons and cover plates included—to ensure that the
sprinkler performs as designed. In short, this requirement means that
escutcheons must be approved for use with specific sprinklers. 

Fire sprinkler escutcheons, featured on

pendent and horizontal sidewall fire
sprinklers, come in three standard types
Pendent and horizontal sidewall fire sprinklers are commonly found in
residential and commercial buildings, including schools, hospitals, hotels,
and even family homes. The three standard types of fire sprinkler
escutcheons are:

 Recessed
 Adjustable
 Flat
To choose an escutcheon type, it’s important to know what type of fire
sprinkler you have and how far the pipe protrudes from the wall or
ceiling.

Recessed fire sprinkler escutcheons

Most commonly found in schools and offices, recessed sprinkler head

escutcheons cover cutouts in ceilings, walls, and soffits, providing a low-
profile, finished appearance. The inner ring is designed to encircle a
recessed fire sprinkler head at a specified depth within the outer ring.
Adjustable fire sprinkler escutcheons

Adjustable escutcheons come as a two-piece assembly with a cup and a

skirt. Many models provide up to 2″ of adjustment to cover the exposed
pipe between the ceiling or wall and the fire sprinkler head itself. Cups as
long as 12″ are available for extended coverage.
Flat fire sprinkler escutcheons

Flat sprinkler head escutcheons are used when the base of the sprinkler
frame is flush with the ceiling. These retrofit versions of these
escutcheons are the simplest of the three types, featuring a single plate
made from two hinged components.
Why these models make replacement
easier
Most standard escutcheons install permanently. The hole in the center
seats over the fire sprinkler’s thread connection, which screws into the
pipe supplying water. Adding one of these escutcheons after installing
the fire sprinkler head would require removing the head, which requires
shutting down and draining the system.

Retrofit escutcheons make replacing escutcheons considerably easier.

Unlike standard escutcheons, retrofit escutcheons install with no need for
a sprinkler system shutdown. Each retrofit escutcheon secures to the
head by pressing two detachable halves together. Like standard
escutcheons, retrofit escutcheons are available in various finishes and
styles, including recessed, adjustable, and flat.
How to install a retrofit fire sprinkler
escutcheon in five easy steps
This example assumes that you’re working with a removable ceiling tile
and a ceiling-mounted pendent fire sprinkler. Pendents, the most
common sprinkler style, hang from above-ceiling piping to discharge
water into the spaces below.

A
pendent fire sprinkler installed in a ceiling tile. Image source: Brandon
Leon via Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 2.0, resized)
To get started, a qualified individual with fire protection knowledge
needs a step ladder and something to use in cutting off the previous
escutcheon. Proceed cautiously: even a small impact with heat-sensitive
parts on the fire sprinkler head can trigger activation. Make as little
contact with the fire sprinkler head as possible.

1. Lift up the ceiling tile, making room for the head and hands.
 2. If the current escutcheon includes an outer ring or skirt,
remove them by slowly pulling them down over the sprinkler
head.
3. Cut the cup (adjustable) or inner ring (recessed) using kitchen
shears or pruners, and remove it from the sprinkler head. For
flat escutcheons, simply cut the plate and remove it.
4. Fasten the retrofitted inner ring (recessed), cup (adjustable),
or entire escutcheon (flat) around the sprinkler head.
5. Install the outer ring (recessed) or skirt (adjustable) by sliding
it up and over the sprinkler head.
Ordering retrofit sprinkler head
escutcheons at QRFS
QRFS stocks retrofit escutcheons for fire sprinklers with 1/2-inch and
3/4-inch thread connections. Choose from chrome, white, and brass
finishes for all three escutcheon types: flat, recessed, and adjustable. Our
escutcheons provide from 3/4 of an inch to 3 inches vertical adjustment
to help you position the escutcheon for maximum coverage of sprinkler
parts and the installation hole.
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is brass retrofit adjustable escutcheon is just one of many retrofit
escutcheons available at QRFS.