Abstract: A flexible dry sprinkler includes an inlet, an inlet seal assembly, and an inlet release unit. A flexible tube has an inlet end and an outlet end, and a flexible linkage extends through the flexible tube, and is connected to the inlet release unit. An outlet release unit is connected to the outlet end of the flexible tube and to an outlet end of the flexible linkage, and displaces the outlet end of the flexible linkage upon activation of the flexible dry fire protection sprinkler. A sprinkler body is connected to the outlet release unit, and has an outlet orifice sealed by an outlet seal assembly until ambient temperature reaches a predetermined temperature. When the ambient temperature reaches the predetermined temperature, displacement of the flexible linkage in an outlet direction causes release of the inlet seal assembly.

Abstract: A method of protecting commodities stored in a plurality of adjoining racks, having a vertical flue space provided between a set of racks of the plurality of adjoining racks, includes covering a rack, of the plurality of adjoining racks, and the vertical flue space with one or more solid horizontal barriers provided at a predetermined height. Each solid horizontal barrier has a width that is at least equal to a width of the rack and a depth that is at least equal to a sum of a depth of the rack and a depth of the vertical flue space. The method also includes providing one or more rack-level fire protection sprinklers in the vertical flue space below a solid horizontal barrier, of the one or more solid horizontal barriers, each rack-level sprinkler being vertically spaced from the commodities stored on the rack that is covered by the solid horizontal barrier.

Abstract: A flexible dry sprinkler includes a flexible tube, an inlet attached to an inlet end of the flexible tube, an inlet seal assembly configured to seal an inlet orifice of the inlet, and an inlet release unit configured to release the inlet seal assembly. The inlet release unit includes a frangible member configured to support the inlet seal assembly in the inlet orifice. An outlet is attached to the outlet end of the flexible tube, and includes an outlet orifice sealed by an outlet seal assembly having a thermally responsive element and an outlet seal. A flexible linkage extends between the inlet and the outlet through the flexible tube, and translates, when the outlet seal is released, a predetermined distance to operate the inlet release unit.

Abstract: To install a sprinkler fitting for a fire protection sprinkler in a building, a support bracket includes a support beam, end brackets, and center bracket. The center bracket includes a body having an upper portion and a lower portion, each having an arcuate slot defining an opening to receive a sprinkler fitting, and a closure assembly having a first pin and a closure member having a first end rotatably mounted to the body, between the upper portion and the lower portion, by the first pin, and a second end that includes a handle. When the closure member is in a closed position, and the sprinkler fitting is received in the opening, the closure assembly presses the sprinkler fitting against at least one of the body and the support beam, and urges the center bracket against the support beam to maintain the center bracket stationary relative to the support beam.

Abstract: A fire protection sprinkler system includes one or more solid horizontal barriers that cover a rack, of a plurality of adjoining racks, and a vertical flue space between adjacent racks. Each barrier is provided at a predetermined height, and has a width that is at least equal to a width of the rack and a depth that is at least equal to a sum of a depth of the rack and a depth of the vertical flue space. In addition, one or more rack-level fire protection sprinklers are connected to a fluid supply conduit, and are disposed in the vertical flue space above or below a solid horizontal barrier. Each of the one or more rack-level sprinklers is vertically spaced from the commodities stored on a rack, of the plurality of adjoining racks, that is covered by the solid horizontal barrier.

Abstract: A flexible dry sprinkler includes a flexible tube having a first end and a second end, an inlet, an inlet seal assembly, and an inlet release unit. An outlet is attached to the second end of the flexible tube, and is sealed by an outlet seal assembly. A flexible linkage extends between the inlet and the outlet through the flexible tube. When the outlet seal assembly is released, the flexible linkage translates from a first position to a second position, and the flexible linkage operates the inlet release unit to release the inlet seal assembly.

Abstract: A dry pipe valve includes a main chamber having an input port and an output port, a clapper assembly installed in the main chamber, a pushrod, a pushrod chamber, and a dry valve actuator. The clapper assembly includes a clapper that seals the input port of the main chamber, and a hinged lever that holds the clapper in a closed position or allows the clapper to open. Based on a pressure of a control fluid in the pushrod chamber, the pushrod moves to urge the hinged lever against the clapper to hold the clapper in the closed position, or to release the hinged lever and thereby allow the clapper to open. The dry valve actuator is attached to a housing of the pushrod chamber and controls the pressure of the control fluid in the pushrod chamber.

Abstract: A support bracket includes a support beam and a center bracket. The center bracket has a body that defines an opening to receive a sprinkler fitting, and a closure assembly, including a closure member having a first end rotatably connected to the body, and a second end having a handle. The closure assembly is movable between an open position and a closed position. When in the closed position, the closure assembly presses the sprinkler fitting against one of the body and the support beam, thereby urging the center bracket against the support beam to maintain the center bracket stationary relative to the support beam. In addition, the closure assembly includes a lock that engages with the closure assembly when the closure member moves from the open position to the closed position, and that prevents the closure member from returning from the closed position to the open position.

Abstract: A fire protection sprinkler includes a body having an inlet end, including a threaded base configured to connect to a fluid supply conduit, an outlet end, and a water passage defined therein. The water passage includes an inlet orifice, provided at the inlet end of the body, an output orifice, provided at the outlet end of the body, and an interior surface formed of a material having a weighted average lead content of 0.25% or less. A seal cap, that moves between a closed position, in which the seal cap seals the output orifice of the water passage, and thereby prevents flow of a fluid from the fluid supply conduit through the output orifice, and an open position, in which the seal cap does not seal the output orifice of the water passage, has water-exposed surfaces formed of a material having a weighted average lead content of 0.25% or less.

Abstract: A horizontal sidewall fire protection sprinkler includes a sprinkler body, a sealing assembly, a sleeve body, a yoke, a load screw, levers, a soldered link, a slide plate, a deflector support member, a deflector, and a spring. When ambient temperature in an occupancy reaches a predetermined temperature, the soldered link fails, the levers release, and the yoke and the load screw are forced away from the sprinkler body. The spring forces the slide plate and the deflector support member away from an inner wall of the sprinkler body toward an opening at an outer end of the sleeve body, and the deflector support member and the deflector protrude from the outer end of the sleeve body. The sealing assembly is released from a sealed state, and the fire protection sprinkler outputs fluid from a fluid supply to the occupancy.

Abstract: A dry sprinkler includes a flexible tube section that maintains a pressurized fluid, such as a liquid antifreeze solution, between a first end and a second end. A first seal prevents fluid from a supply line from entering the flexible tube section. The first seal is maintained in a sealed position by a pressure of the pressurized fluid. A sprinkler head is coupled to the second end of the flexible tube section, and includes a frame, an output orifice, a deflector, a second seal that seals the output orifice, and a thermally responsive element configured to maintain the second seal in a sealed position when the thermally responsive element is in a non-responsive state. A differential pressure controller maintains a ratio between the pressure of the pressurized fluid in the flexible tube section and a pressure of a supply fluid in the supply line to at least a certain ratio.

Abstract: A method of using a residential fire protection sprinkler. The method includes providing a fluid supply conduit extending along a ceiling, having a pitch up to 12/12, at a predetermined distance relative to the ceiling and connected to a source of fluid having a predetermined source pressure. The method also includes connecting at least two residential fire protection sprinklers to the fluid supply conduit such that the sprinklers are spaced at least eight feet (8?) apart from one another, wherein the sprinklers have a K-factor of at least 2.8. A residential fire protection sprinkler system is also provided. The system includes a fluid supply conduit extending along a ceiling, having a pitch of up to 12/12, at a predetermined distance relative to the ceiling and connected to a source of fluid having a predetermined source pressure.

Abstract: The welding torch performs oscillation of the torch head while moving the torch head along the circular weld path, under control of signals generated by a controller. The operator of the welding torch preferably has control over the amplitude of the oscillation, how fast it moves back and forth, and how long it remains at each turning point of the oscillation (dwell time).

Abstract: In one example embodiment, a bracket for a sprinkler fitting is provided having a first flange, a second flange connected to the first flange, and a mounting flange connected to at least one of the first and second flanges. The mounting flange may for example be substantially orthogonal to the first and second flanges. One of the first and second flanges has a preferably circular hole formed therethrough, and the other has a polygonal opening formed therethrough and aligned with the circular hole. An adapter having a polygonal end is inserted in the bracket such that the polygonal end aligns with the polygonal opening so as to limit rotation of the adapter with respect to the bracket, the adapter disposing a sprinkler coupled thereto with respect to a finished ceiling surface of a structure.

Abstract: A fire prevention sprinkler system that has a warming jacket through which a warming medium, preferably water, is circulated, at a temperature sufficient to prevent freezing of those portions of the sprinkler system that contain water or another freezable liquid at times when the sprinklers are not actually spraying water to control or extinguish a fire. The warming medium is preferably heated by radiant heating, and circulation is preferably initiated by a thermostatic control whenever the temperature in the protected premises drops below a predetermined value.

Abstract: A flexible dry sprinkler includes a flexible tube having an inlet attached to a first end, the inlet defining an inlet orifice operatively sealed by an inlet seal assembly. An outlet is attached to the second end of the flexible tube, and defines an outlet orifice operatively sealed by an outlet seal assembly. A flexible linkage extends from the inlet to the outlet through the flexible tube, and is constructed to operatively release the inlet seal assembly responsive to axial translation of the flexible linkage from a first position to a second position. The flexible linkage is supported by the outlet seal assembly in the first position and wherein the flexible linkage is constructed to axially translate toward the outlet when the outlet seal assembly is released.

Abstract: A differential dry pipe valve is provided having a body including an inlet chamber having an inlet port, an exit chamber having an exit port, and a gasket flange positioned between the inlet and exit chambers facing the exit port, the inlet and exit ports being substantially aligned. The valve also includes a gasket attached to the gasket flange and an openable cover hingedly attached to the body. The gasket has an inner water lip in fluid communication with the inlet chamber and an outer air lip surrounding the water lip. The spacing between the water lip and air lip varies. The air and water lips are coaxial. The cover is configured to be sealingly engaged with the seal when in a closed position and to be sealingly disengaged in an open position when the pressure in the exit chamber is lower than the pressure in the inlet chamber. When the cover is in the open position, a direction of a path between the inlet and exit ports is substantially unaltered.

Abstract: An attic fire protection system is provided. The system comprises a fluid supply manifold for supplying a fluid, positioned at an effective height below and parallel to the underside of a roof having a non-zero pitch angle. The system contains a plurality of fittings each having at least one exit port for directing the flow of the fluid, the fittings being spaced within at most a maximum effective distance apart from each other and being connected to receive fluid from the supply manifold, wherein the exit ports are structured to supply the fluid in a direction parallel to the underside of the roof. Most broadly, however, the fittings are structured or arranged to supply the fluid in a direction forming an oblique angle with the horizontal and the vertical, which may or may be exactly the same as the pitch angle of the roof. The system also includes a plurality of horizontal sidewall sprinklers each connected to a respective exit port of one or another of the fittings.

Abstract: A sidewall fire protection sprinkler, including a deflector having a central portion curved about a first, horizontal axis that is transverse to a second axis that extends in an output direction of the sprinkler. End portions extend outwardly from the central portion along the first axis, the end portions each respectively including an upper part and a lower part separated by a gap which defines an elongated notch extending between the upper part and the lower part at an innermost portion of the gap adjacent to the central portion. The gap is formed extending outwardly from the central portion substantially along the first axis. Planar portions extend respectively from top edges of the upper parts of the end portions. The planar portions extend in the output direction. The sprinkler can provide extended coverage ordinary hazard protection.

Abstract: A fire protection sprinkler is provided. The sprinkler includes a body having an output orifice and a flange; a seal cap to seal a flow of fluid from the output orifice; and a thermally-responsive element positioned to releasably retain the seal cap and constructed to separate into a plurality of portions upon exposure to a predetermined temperature. The sprinkler also includes at least one deflector support member, a deflector connected to the deflector support member, and at least one arm extending from each of the deflector support members. Each of the arms has a free end positioned in spaced relation to the thermally-responsive element to contact the portions of the thermally-responsive element upon separation thereof. In another embodiment, the sprinkler includes at least one arm extending from the flange, and the arms may be formed as a bracket.