Low pressure, extended coverage, upright fire protection sprinkler

A low pressure, extended coverage, upright-type fire protection sprinkler, suitable for use in protection of at least extra hazard and high piled storage occupancies, in accordance with the 1999 Edition of NFPA 13, the sprinkler comprising:

• a body defining an internal passageway extending between an inlet end and an opposite outlet end, the internal passageway having a K-factor of greater than about 16.0, where the K-factor equals an average flow of water in gallons per minute through the internal passageway divided by a square root of pressure of water fed into the inlet end of the internal passageway in pounds per square inch gauge, the outlet end having an axis;
• a deflector mounted to the body by at least one support arm extending from the body and disposed in alignment with the axis and generally above and spaced from the outlet end of the internal passageway, at a position with an inner surface of the deflector opposed to flow of water in a first direction from the outlet end of the internal passageway towards a ceiling, the inner surface of the deflector configured and arranged to deflect flow of water generally radially outwardly and downwardly of the sprinkler in a second direction opposite the first direction over a protection area of at least 100 square feet, the deflector including a generally planar central area generally perpendicular to the axis, the planar central area contiguous to a plurality of slanted redirecting surfaces oblique to the axis, the plurality of slanted redirecting surfaces contiguous to a plurality of tines extending at a predetermined tine angle relative to the axis;
• and
• a thermally-responsive closure assembly mounted in a manner to secure the outlet end of the internal passageway against flow of water in a non-fire condition and to release in response to a predetermined temperature condition indicative of a fire to permit flow of water from the outlet end of the internal passageway, the thermally-responsive closure assembly including a closure element and a heat-responsive trigger mounted to releasably secure the closure element at the outlet end of the internal passageway, the heat-responsive trigger having a response time index of at least about 15 meter1/2sec1/2 (m1/2s1/2) and less than about 120 meter1/2sec1/2 (m1/2s1/2).

A low pressure, extended coverage, upright-type fire protection sprinkler comprising:

• a body defining an internal passageway extending between an inlet end and an opposite outlet end, the internal passageway having a K-factor of greater than about 9.0, where the K-factor equals an average flow of water in gallons per minute through the internal passageway divided by a square root of pressure of water fed into the inlet end of the internal passageway in pounds per square inch gauge, the outlet end having an axis;
• and
• a deflector mounted to the body by at least one support arm extending from the body and disposed in alignment with the axis and generally above and spaced from the outlet end of the internal passageway, at a position with an inner surface of the deflector opposed to flow of water from the outlet end of the internal passageway, the inner surface of the deflector configured and arranged to deflect flow of water generally radially outwardly and downwardly of the sprinkler;
• the inner surface of the deflector defining
• a generally planar central area intersecting and generally perpendicular to the axis, a redirecting area including a plurality of three or more slanted redirecting surfaces extending from a radially outer peripheral edge of the central area, each at a predetermined acute angle, relative to a horizontal plane through the central area, with the radially outer perimeter of the slanted redirecting surfaces being axially relatively closer to the outlet than the central area, and
• a plurality of spaced-apart tines extending from the radially outer perimeter of the slanted redirecting surfaces, towards the outlet, at predetermined tine angles, measured relative to the axis, wherein each of the plurality of three or more slanted redirecting surfaces is substantially planar, wherein the redirecting area includes four slanted redirecting surfaces, wherein each the redirecting surface is symmetrical about a vertical plane generally through its center, with an intersection of each the vertical plane with each the slanted redirecting surface defining the predetermined acute angle, measured relative to the horizontal plane through the central area, and wherein each the predetermined acute angle is between about 10 degrees and about 40 degrees so that a flow of water is provided through the outlet end of the body over a protection area of at least 100 square feet.

A low pressure, extended coverage, upright-type fire protection sprinkler, suitable for use in protection of at least extra hazard and high piled storage occupancies, in accordance with the 1999 Edition of NFPA 13, the sprinkler comprising:

• a body defining an internal passageway extending between an inlet end and an opposite outlet end, the internal passageway having a K-factor of greater than about 16.0, where the K-factor equals an average flow of water in gallons per minute through the internal passageway divided by a square root of pressure of water fed into the inlet end of the internal passageway in pounds per square inch gauge, the outlet end having a vertical axis;
• and
• a deflector mounted to the body by at least one support arm extending from the body and disposed in alignment with the vertical axis and generally above and spaced from the outlet end of the internal passageway, at a position with an inner surface of the deflector opposed to flow of water from the outlet end of the internal passageway, the inner surface of the deflector configured and arranged to deflect flow of water generally radially outwardly of the vertical axis and downwardly of the sprinkler in a predetermined spray pattern of generally polygonal shape over a protection area of at least 100 square feet about the vertical axis when viewed at a distance of about 3 feet below the deflector and at a pressure of about 12 psig at the inlet end of the internal passageway.

A low pressure, extended coverage, upright-type fire protection sprinkler, suitable for use in protection of at lest extra hazard and high piled storage occupancies, in accordance with the 1999 Edition of NFPA 13, the sprinkler comprising:

• a body defining an internal passageway extending between an inlet end and an opposite outlet end, the internal passageway having a K-factor of greater than about 16.0, where the K-factor equals an average flow of water in gallons per minute through the internal passageway divided by a square root of pressure of water fed into the inlet end of the internal passageway in pounds per square inch gauge, the outlet end having an axis;
• and
• a deflector mounted to the body by at least one support arm extending from the body and disposed in alignment with the axis and generally above and spaced from the outlet end of the internal passageway, at a position with an inner surface of the deflector opposed to flow of water from the outlet end of the internal passageway, the inner surface of the deflector configured and arranged to deflect flow of water generally radially outwardly and downwardly of the sprinkler in a predetermined spray pattern such that water collects at a minimum rate of about 0.15 gallon per minute per square foot in a one foot by one foot area centered at about a 9 foot radius from the axis at a distance of about 45° to a plane generally of at least one the support arm and the axis at a distance of about 4 feet below the deflector and at a pressure of about 16 psig at the inlet end of the internal passageway.

A low pressure, extended coverage, upright-type fire protection sprinkler, suitable for use in protection of at least extra hazard and high piled storage occupancies, in accordance with the 1999 Edition of NFPA 13, the sprinkler comprising:

• a body defining an internal passageway extending between an inlet end and an opposite outlet end, the internal passageway having a K-factor of greater than about 16.0, where the K-factor equals an average flow of water in gallons per minute through the internal passageway divided by a square root of pressure of water fed into the inlet end of the internal passageway in pounds per square inch gauge, the outlet end having an axis;
• and
• a deflector mounted to the body by at least one support arm extending from the body and disposed in alignment with the axis and generally above and spaced from the outlet end of the internal passageway, at a position with an inner surface of the deflector opposed to flow of water from the outlet end of the internal passageway, the inner surface of the deflector configured and arranged to deflect flow of water generally radially outwardly and downwardly of the sprinkler in a predetermined spray pattern to provide a protection area of at least 100 square feet such that more water is collected in a one foot by one foot area centered at about an 8 foot radius from the axis in any direction at about 45° to a plane generally of at least one the support arm and the axis, than in either the direction of the plane generally of at least one the, support arm and the axis, or in a direction perpendicular to the plane generally of at least one the support arm and the axis, at a distance of about 3 feet below the deflector and at a pressure of about 16 psig at the inlet end of the internal passageway.

A low pressure, extended coverage, upright-type fire protection sprinkler, suitable for use in protection of at least extra hazard and high piled storage occupancies, in accordance with the 1999 Edition of NFPA 13, the sprinkler comprising:

• a body defining an internal passageway extending between an inlet end and an opposite outlet end, the internal passageway having a K-factor of greater than about 16.0, where the K-factor equals an average flow of water in gallons per minute through the internal passageway divided by a square root of pressure of water fed into the inlet end of the internal passageway in pounds per square inch gauge, the outlet end having an axis;
• and
• a deflector mounted to the body by at least one support arm extending from the body and disposed in alignment with the axis and generally above and spaced from the outlet end of the internal passageway, at a position with an inner surface of the deflector opposed to flow of water from the outlet end of the internal passageway, the inner surface of the deflector configured and arranged to deflect flow of water generally radially outwardly and downwardly of the sprinkler in a predetermined spray pattern such that water collects at a minimum average rate of about 0.05 gallon per minute per square foot at a distance of about 10 feet below the deflector and at a pressure of about 16 psig at the inlet end of the passageway, in a 20 foot long array of one foot by one foot pans disposed parallel to a plane generally of at least one the support arm and the axis, the longitudinal centerline of the 20 foot long array of pans being horizontally offset 10 feet from either side of the plane generally of at least one the support arm and the axis, and the lateral centerline of the 20 foot long array of pans being located along an orthogonal plane perpendicular to the plane generally of at least one the support arm and the axis, and intersecting the axis.

A low pressure, extended coverage, upright-type fire protection sprinkler, suitable for use in protection of at least extra hazard and high piled storage occupancies, in accordance with the 1999 Edition of NFPA 13, the sprinkler comprising:

• a body defining an internal passageway extending between an inlet end and an opposite outlet end, the internal passageway having a K-factor of greater than about 16.0, where the K-factor equals an average flow of water in gallons per minute through the internal passageway divided by a square root of pressure of water fed into the inlet end of the internal passageway in pounds per square inch gauge, the outlet end having an axis;
• and
• a deflector mounted to the body by at least one support arm extending from the body and disposed in alignment with the axis and generally above and spaced from the outlet end of the internal passageway, at a position with an inner surface of the deflector opposed to flow of water from the outlet end of the internal passageway, the inner surface of the deflector configured and arranged to deflect flow of water generally radially outwardly and downwardly of the sprinkler in a predetermined spray pattern such that water collects at a minimum average rate of about 0.07 gallon per minute per square foot at a distance of about 10 feet below the deflector and at a pressure of about 16 psig at the inlet end of the passageway, in a 20 foot long array of one foot by one foot pans disposed parallel to a plane generally of at least one the support arm and the axis, the longitudinal centerline of the 20 foot long array of pans being horizontally offset 10 feet from either side of the plane generally of at least one the support arm and the axis, and the lateral centerline of the 20 foot long array of pans being located along an orthogonal plane perpendicular to the plane generally of at least one the support arm and the axis, and intersecting the axis.

A low pressure, extended coverage, upright-type fire protection sprinkler, suitable for use in protection of at least extra hazard and high piled storage occupancies, in accordance with the 1999 Edition of NFPA 13, the sprinkler comprising:

• a body defining an internal passageway extending between an inlet end and an opposite outlet end, the internal passageway having a K-factor of greater than about 16.0, where the K-factor equals an average flow of water in gallons per minute through the internal passageway divided by a square root of pressure of water fed into the inlet end of the internal passageway in pounds per square inch gauge, the outlet end having an axis;
• and
• a deflector mounted to the body by at least one support arm extending from the body and disposed in alignment with the axis and generally above and spaced from the outlet end of the internal passageway, at a position with an inner surface of the deflector opposed to flow of water from the outlet end of the internal passageway, the inner surface of the deflector configured and arranged to deflect flow of water generally radially outwardly and downwardly of the sprinkler in a predetermined spray pattern such that water collects at a minimum average rate of about 0.09 gallon per minute per square foot at a distance of about 10 feet below the deflector and at a pressure of about 16 psig at the inlet end of the passageway, in a 20 foot long array of one foot by one foot pans disposed parallel to a plane generally of at least one the support arm and the axis, the longitudinal centerline of the 20 foot long array of pans being horizontally offset 10 feet from either side of the plane generally of at least one the support arm and the axis, and the lateral centerline of the 20 foot long array of pans being located along an orthogonal plane perpendicular to the plane generally of at least one the support arm and the axis, and intersecting the axis.

A low pressure, extended coverage, upright-type fire protection sprinkler, suitable for use in protection of at least extra hazard and high piled storage occupancies, in accordance with the 1999 Edition of NFPA 13, the sprinkler comprising:

• a body defining an internal passageway extending between an inlet end and an opposite outlet end, the internal passageway having a K-factor of greater than about 16.0, where the K-factor equals an average flow of water in gallons per minute through the internal passageway divided by a square root of pressure of water fed into the inlet end of the internal passageway in pounds per square inch gauge, the outlet end having an axis;
• a deflector mounted to the body by at least one support arm extending from the body and in alignment with the axis and spaced from the outlet end of the internal passageway, at a position with an inner surface of the deflector opposed to flow of water from the outlet end of the internal passageway, the inner surface of the deflector configured and arranged to deflect flow of water generally radially outwardly and downwardly of the sprinkler, the inner surface of the deflector defining a generally planar central area intersecting and generally perpendicular to the axis, a redirecting area including four slanted redirecting surfaces extending from a radially outer peripheral edge of the central area, each at a predetermined acute angle, relative to a horizontal plane through the central area, with a radially outer perimeter of the slanted redirecting surfaces being axially relatively closer to the outlet than the central area, and a plurality of spaced-apart tines extending from the radially outer perimeter of the slanted redirecting surfaces, towards the outlet, at predetermined tine angles, measured relative to the axis, with the intersections of adjacent the slanted redirecting surfaces of the inner surface of the deflector defining channels, the channels extending radially outwardly and downwardly of the central area to enlarged, scalloped openings defined by adjacent of the spaced-part tines at corner regions of the radially outer perimeter of the slanted redirecting surfaces with centers of the channels disposed at about 45° to a plane generally of at least one the support arm and the axis, thereby to direct a relatively lengthened flow of water toward the corner regions of the predetermined spray pattern disposed at about 45° to the plane generally of at least one the support arm and the axis over a protection area of at least 100 square feet;
• and
• a thermally-responsive closure assembly mounted in a manner to secure the outlet end of the internal passageway against flow of water in a non-fire condition and to release in response to a predetermined temperature condition indicative of a fire to permit flow of water from the outlet end of the internal passageway, the thermally-responsive closure assembly including a closure element and a heat-responsive trigger mounted to releasably secure the closure element at the outlet end of the internal passageway, the heat-responsive trigger having a response time index of at least about 15 meter1/2sec1/2 (m1/2s1/2) and less than about 120 meter1/2sec1/2 (m1/2s1/2).

A low pressure, extended coverage, upright fire protection sprinkler, suitable for use in protection of at least extra hazard and high piled storage occupancies, in accordance with the 1999 Edition of NFPA 13, the sprinkler comprising:

• a body defining an internal passageway extending between an inlet end and an opposite outlet end, the internal passageway having a K-factor of greater than about 16.0, where the K-factor equals an average flow of water in gallons per minute through the internal passageway divided by a square root of pressure of water fed into the inlet end of the internal passageway in pounds per square inch gauge, the outlet end having an axis;
• a deflector including an apex mounted to the body by at least one support arm extending from the body and in alignment with the axis and spaced from the outlet end of the internal passageway, at a position with an inner surface of the deflector opposed to a flow of water from the outlet end of the internal passageway, the inner surface of the deflector configured and arranged to deflect the flow of water generally radially outwardly and downwardly of the sprinkler over a protection area of at least 100 square feet, the deflector having a portion located at a position closer to the outlet than to the nosepiece;
• and
• a thermally-responsive closure assembly mounted in a manner to secure the outlet end of the internal passageway against a flow of water in a non-fire condition and to release in response to a predetermined temperature condition indicative of a fire to permit the flow of water from the outlet end of the internal passageway, the thermally-responsive closure assembly including a closure element and a heat-responsive trigger mounted to releasably secure the closure element at the outlet end of the internal passageway, the heat-responsive trigger having a response time index of at least about 15 meter1/2sec1/2 (m1/2s1/2) and less than about 120 meter1/2sec1/2 (m1/2s1/2).

A low pressure, extended coverage, upright fire protection sprinkler comprising:

• a generally tubular body defining a passageway along a longitudinal axis, the passageway having a K factor greater than 16 where the K factor equals an average flow of water in gallons per minute through the passageway divided by a square root of the pressure of water fed to the body in pounds per square inch gauge, the tubular body having an outer surface cincturing the passageway, the passageway having an inner surface spaced from the outer surface, an inlet opening at one end of the body and an outlet opening at another end with the passageway extending between the openings, the outer surface having pipe threads formed thereon;
• at least one frame arm coupled to the body proximate the outlet, the at least one frame arm being formed as an unitary member with the tubular body;
• a closure member releasably positioned proximate the outlet so as to occlude the passageway;
• a heat responsive trigger assembly, the heat responsive trigger assembly having a response time index of less than 65 meter1/2second1/2;
• and
• a deflector coupled with the body through at least one frame arm so as to be spaced from and generally aligned with the outlet and the longitudinal axis, the deflector including a solid apex and a plate member coupled to the at least one frame arm and spaced from the outlet opening, the plate member including an inner surface of the deflector defining channels, a first generally planar portion, a conical second portion that extends in an oblique direction relative to the longitudinal axis, and slanted redirecting surfaces extending from the conical second portion at a second angle relative to the longitudinal axis, the slanted redirecting surfaces including a plurality of tines and a plurality of slots with at least one slot disposed between every two tines, the channels extending radially outwardly and downwardly of the planar portion to enlarged, scalloped openings defined by the spaced-apart tines, so that, when the heat responsive trigger is actuated and the closure is positioned to allow a flow of water to issue from the outlet of the body towards a ceiling to be redirected to cover a fire in a storage situated beneath the ceiling over a protection area of at least 100 square feet.