Abstract: A sprinkler guard includes two or more plates centered relative to a central axis of the sprinkler guard. A plurality of legs includes first and second legs that are attached to one plate, and third and fourth legs that are attached to another plate. A circular ring is attached to lower ends of the first to fourth legs, a center of the circular ring coinciding with the central axis, and the first to fourth legs being spaced apart about the circumference of the circular ring. First and second swing arms are rotatably attached to the first and second legs, respectively, and are configured to be snap fit into indents on the third and fourth legs, respectively. In addition, a cross bar is attached to the circular ring and extends across a diameter of the circular ring.

Abstract: A fire protection nozzle includes a body having two frame arms having proximal ends connected to an outlet of the body, and distal ends, the two frame arms defining a frame arm plane, and a junction formed by the distal ends of the frame arms, the junction including a central bore and a cylindrical outer wall. A circular deflector is mounted to the body, and includes a planar disk having a mounting hole in a center of the planar disk to receive the cylindrical outer wall of the junction, and a plurality of slots on a periphery of the circular planar disk. The plurality of slots includes four radial first slots, four radial second slots, eight radial third slots, and eight fourth slots. The nozzle has a K-factor of at least 28 gpm/(psi)1/2.

Abstract: A fire protection method includes providing a plurality of pendent control mode specific application extended coverage fire protection sprinklers as components of a fire protection sprinkler system for a storage area defined by a storage height of at least 25 feet and a building height of at least 30 feet. Each sprinkler has a thermally responsive element, a deflector, and a K-factor of at least 25.2 gpm/(psi)1/2, and is connected to a piping network at a height greater than the storage height. When each sprinkler is activated, a fluid is supplied to the sprinkler from the piping network at a pressure of at least 30 pounds per square inch, and is delivered to a coverage area of greater than 110 and up to and including 196 square feet per sprinkler. A design operating area of the sprinkler system is up to six sprinklers or 1200 square feet.

Abstract: A flexible dry sprinkler includes an inlet, an inlet seal assembly having a spring seal that compresses in response to a longitudinal load, 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, translation of the flexible linkage in an outlet direction causes release of the inlet seal assembly.

Abstract: A support bracket for use in installing a sprinkler fitting for a fire protection sprinkler in a building. The 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 sprinkler body having a boss including a circumferential portion having flat edges, and including a cavity on one of the flat edges, a closure element configured to be held in an output orifice to seal a flow of fluid from the output orifice, and a clip. The clip has a first portion that is engaged with the closure element, and a second portion configured to be inserted into the cavity on the one of the flat edges of the circumferential portion of the boss of the sprinkler body, and configured to contact the cavity such that, upon actuation of the fire protection sprinkler, the clip rotates about an axis passing through two points of contact between the cavity and the second portion, and moves the closure element moves away from the sprinkler body to permit the flow of fluid from the output orifice.

Abstract: A fire protection nozzle includes a body having two frame arms having proximal ends connected to an outlet of the body, and distal ends, the two frame arms defining a frame arm plane, and a junction formed by the distal ends of the frame arms, the junction including a central bore and a cylindrical outer wall. A circular deflector is mounted to the body, and includes a planar disk having a mounting hole in a center of the planar disk to receive the cylindrical outer wall of the junction, and a plurality of slots on a periphery of the circular planar disk. The plurality of slots includes four radial first slots, four radial second slots, eight radial third slots, and eight fourth slots. The nozzle has a K-factor of at least 28 gpm/(psi)1/2.

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).