What are the Different Sprinkler Orientations?

MeyerFire University | FX181.01

By Chris Logan, CFPS, RSE

RESOURCES

• ​Notes Page

---

TRANSCRIPT

What are the different sprinkler orientations?

Fire sprinklers come in many different shapes and sizes.

Let’s discuss the different directions or orientations a sprinkler can take.

The deflector of a sprinkler is the main component of the sprinkler that dictates the orientation of the sprinkler.

Upright Sprinklers are installed vertically on the top of sprinkler pipe with a deflector on the top of the sprinkler.

This deflector is designed to discharge water in a downward motion.

These sprinklers are commonly installed in areas without ceilings or with exposed structure, like warehouses, parking garages, or mechanical rooms.

Upright sprinklers are less susceptible to mechanical damage because they are installed on the top side of the pipe and are somewhat protected by the pipe itself.

Pendent Sprinklers are also installed vertically either on the bottom of sprinkler pipe or in a ceiling.

Pendents have a fan-like deflector designed to discharge water in a downward motion.

These sprinklers are typically preferred whenever a finished ceiling is being used in a room.

They are installed in T-bar or gypsum ceilings, or on the bottom of the sprinkler pipe in warehouses or other exposed structure buildings.

These sprinklers are more susceptible to mechanical damage due to them being the lowest point on a sprinkler system.

Sidewall Sprinklers are installed along the outside walls of rooms and are designed to discharge water horizontally from the sprinkler.

These sprinklers are often installed in bulkheads, under garage doors in warehouses, to protect beneath overhangs, or used in small sleeping rooms to save branch pipe.

The three sprinkler orientations – upright, pendent, and sidewall – each accommodate different ceiling arrangements but achieve the same purpose – distribute water to the fire and protect property and life.

I'm Chris Logan, this is MeyerFire University.