What Terms Does Industry Use for Pipes? [Polls]

12/6/2023

A couple weeks ago I was talking with a friend (shoutout to Chris Logan and his Fire Sprinkler Podcast) about different naming conventions for specific pipes in a sprinkler system.

What a great end result that chat started! We drew it up, labeled as best we knew, and posted it last week for your input.

And boy did you not disappoint!

Probably the term I knew least about was this one -

We got a wide range of names and input on how you describe the system. We can create a pretty kickin’ diagram today with your awesome input.

But I can't help but to take it one step further.

We all have anecdotal experience, but what is the most common terms actually used in industry?

If I’m talking to a colleague across the country – what term is most likely to strike home?

I hate surveys, so I’m not going to do that. Instead, below we have simple poll questions where you can instantly see the results too.

Vote on what term you usually call each part of the system, and afterwards we'll build a new (and more representative) diagram based on the most common terms. Keep in mind that each of these pieces don't have a defined name.

The others we covered last week (riser, system riser, feed main, cross main, branch line, armover, sprig) are all defined terms in NFPA 13.

If we do this well enough it just might be what the industry uses over the next few years, so thanks for taking part!

TERM #1

TERM #2

TERM #3

TERM #4

TERM #5

Thanks for your input & being a part of the community here!

Greg Lay

12/6/2023 10:25:53 am

I know from experience that what region you work in has a lot to do with what we call things. A few months ago, I was talking to someone from Tennessee that calls pipe without any welds "skinny pipe" and in Chicago, we call it "bald pipe".

Dave

12/6/2023 10:52:38 am

Thanks for doing that Joe, what fun and sometimes unpredictable results! Kind of related to regions as Greg mentions, and sociolinguistics, in my area there is a shared DNA among many (but not all) local contractors and designers that can be traced to one originating pioneering company. Same with their title blocks.

Joe Meyer

12/6/2023 10:59:54 am

Yeah this is a fun one - really threw in the last 'outlet' for kicks - that may be the most regional term of any.

With remote work and less barrier to communication now, I do wonder if many of these terms haven't already gotten more consistent across the country over the last few decades.

Aaron link

12/7/2023 06:23:08 am

In virginia we call it slick pipe

James Art FPE

12/6/2023 11:27:01 am

AND lets not call them "heads".
They are "Sprinklers" or "Fire Sprinklers."
Heads are the bathrooms on ships.

OR
an indicator that a plumber is in over his head!

DAVE

12/6/2023 11:32:24 am

YES! - Finally someone who is with me on that!
Actually I read it in an article long ago, and have followed (and taught) it ever since. After all, the term "head" is virtually nonexistent in NFPA 13. (Sorry sprinkler head collectors out there.)

Franck

12/6/2023 11:34:34 am

Sprinkler “head” is s tricky one for French speaking people as in France the correct name is… Tête sprinkleur” that is literally translated into “sprinkler head”.
Note that French Canadians have a specific word for sprinkler, they call it “gicleur”.
Different countries, different nicknames…

Steven D

12/6/2023 11:42:02 am

Not a bad template for bring us all closer together with common design concepts. Common communication terms can help us get the core of a conversation faster. This could be applied quite a few areas-great work, everyone.

The underground supply is an interesting one. This tends to be a critical juncture for communicating with the Contractor. We are often conveying something to the Contractor, they are typically accustomed to being called out by civil contractors. I have tried referring to the through-slab piece using terms cited by previous GC's, but the last one was befuddled by the term spigot. Next time I will give Stub In a shot. Should be right 1 in 5 times.

sean

12/6/2023 07:48:34 pm

I would say another good one would be arm over or gooseneck.

12/7/2023 06:27:00 am

You mean arm over or “return bend” haha.
It is neat hearing what everyone calls things.

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What Terms Does Industry Use for Pipes? [Polls]

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