Abstract: A fire protection sprinkler includes a sprinkler frame and a deflector. The deflector is coupled to the sprinkler frame and distributes fluid discharged from an outlet of the sprinkler in a spray pattern centered about a sprinkler axis and defined by a fluid density in a first quadrant area 2.5 feet (ft.) below the sprinkler and perpendicular to the sprinkler axis, the first quadrant area having a first corner disposed along the sprinkler axis with a first edge extending in the direction of a fluid supply pipe, a second edge extending perpendicular to the first edge and intersecting the first edge at the sprinkler axis, the first quadrant area being defined by a grid of one square foot areas totaling an area of no more than 10 ft.×10 ft., the total fluid density being at least 15 gpm/sq. ft.

Abstract: A sprinkler assembly includes a fire protection sprinkler and a push-to-connect-rotate-to-release (PCRR) fitting. The sprinkler has a body with a passageway extending along a first longitudinal axis and an outer encasing surface surrounding the first longitudinal axis and outer encasing surface including a seal member, and a deflector spaced from the outlet. The fitting includes a tubular member including an exterior surface and inner surface, the inner surface defining an internal conduit extending along a second longitudinal axis, the body received in the internal conduit such that the first longitudinal axis is aligned with the second longitudinal axis, the inner surface including a sealing surface portion circumscribed about the second longitudinal axis. The fitting includes a gripper ring disposed along the inner surface and a helical internal periphery about the second longitudinal axis in helical contact with a portion of the outer encasing surface between the deflector and seal member.

Abstract: A sprinkler assembly includes a connection fitting and a fire protection sprinkler. The connection fitting includes a tubular member with a first insertion end and a second insertion end with an internal conduit extending between the first and second insertion end along a longitudinal axis, the tubular member including an exterior surface and an inner surface, the inner surface defining a sealing surface between the first and second insertion ends circumscribed about the longitudinal axis and including a gripping portion axially spaced from the sealing surface. The fire protection sprinkler has a body defining an inlet and an outlet, a deflector spaced from the outlet, the body having an outer encasing surface surrounding the longitudinal axis and including a leading portion and a trailing portion for insertion in the second insertion end with the leading portion received within the sealing surface before the trailing portion engages the gripping portion.

Abstract: A sprinkler for a fire suppression system includes a body defining an inlet and an outlet fluidly coupled to one another, a frame assembly including a frame member coupled to the body and extending away from the outlet, a deflector coupled to the frame member and offset from the outlet, a seal assembly configured to sealingly engage the body to prevent flow through the outlet, and a trigger assembly. The trigger assembly includes a shape memory alloy element configured to deform from an unactuated configuration to an actuated configuration in response to reaching an activation temperature. In the unactuated configuration, the trigger assembly directly engages both the frame assembly and the seal assembly and holds the seal assembly in sealed engagement with the body. In the actuated configuration, the trigger assembly permits the seal assembly to disengage from the body.

Abstract: A sprinkler assembly includes a fire protection sprinkler and a push-to-connect-rotate-to-release (PCRR) fitting. The fire protection sprinkler has a body defining an inlet and an outlet, a deflector spaced from the outlet, the body having an outer encasing surface surrounding a first longitudinal axis, the outer encasing surface including a seal member disposed about the encasing surface and a helical surface between the deflector and the seal member. The PCRR fitting includes a tubular member with a first end, a second end, an exterior surface, and an inner surface defining an internal conduit extending along a second longitudinal axis, the body received in the internal conduit such that the first longitudinal axis is axially aligned with the second longitudinal axis, the inner surface including a sealing surface portion circumscribed about the second longitudinal axis. The gripper ring is disposed along the inner surface and in contact with the helical surface.

Abstract: Fire protection system and methods for concealed spaces providing for effective fire protection over an effective depth range measuring from a minimum six inches up to a maximum that is greater than thirty-six inches. A combustible concealed space that includes an upper deck and a ceiling deck spaced about a longitudinal axis extending substantially parallel to the ceiling deck with a fire protection system having a firefighting fluid supply pipe and at least one automatic upright sprinkler coupled to the fluid supply pipe and positioned to define an effective depth range that measures from six inches to a maximum of at least sixty inches.

Abstract: A fire protection sprinkler including a frame body having an inlet, an outlet, defining an internal passageway extending between the inlet and the outlet along a sprinkler axis. A dome shaped deflector member is centered, axially aligned with the sprinkler axis, and spaced from the outlet. The deflector member has an outer surface and an inner surface that preferably includes: a peripheral region, a central region and an intermediate region. The intermediate region includes a primary deflecting surface, and a secondary deflecting surface that is surrounded by the primary deflecting surface. The deflector member provides for generation of a non-circular spray pattern defined by four zones of fluid density concentrically formed about the sprinkler axis.

Abstract: Fire protection system and methods for concealed spaces providing for effective fire protection over an effective depth range measuring from a minimum six inches up to a maximum that is greater than thirty-six inches. A combustible concealed space that includes an upper deck and a ceiling deck spaced about a longitudinal axis extending substantially parallel to the ceiling deck with a fire protection system having a firefighting fluid supply pipe and at least one automatic upright sprinkler coupled to the fluid supply pipe and positioned to define an effective depth range that measures from six inches to a maximum of at least sixty inches.

Abstract: Wet fire protection systems and methods for the protection of a stored commodity are provided. The system includes a supply portion coupled to a water supply and a demand portion including a plurality of sprinklers disposed above the commodity with each sprinkler having an operating pressure range. The plurality of sprinklers are interconnected by a network of pipes filled with water to provide each sprinkler with an initial pressure of water. A pressure control assembly is disposed between the supply portion and the demand portion to withhold fluid pressure from the supply portion from pressurizing the demand portion for a predetermined withholding period following actuation of at least one sprinkler in response to a fire.

Abstract: A sprinkler includes a body defining (a) a passage having an inlet and extending along a longitudinal axis and (b) an outlet fluidly coupled to the passage. The sprinkler includes a seal engaging a button and the body to fluidly seal the inlet from the outlet. A link and lever assembly includes a first lever and a second lever engaging the button. The first lever and the second lever each include (a) a leg positioned near a base end of the lever and extending outward from the longitudinal axis, the leg defining an engagement surface, (b) a head positioned near a tip end of the lever, and (c) a main body extending from the leg to the head. A fusible link limits movement of the heads. The engagement surfaces each engage a surface of the body to limit movement of the button along the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A sprinkler assembly includes a body defining an inlet, an outlet, and a fluid passage extending along a longitudinal axis between the inlet and the outlet. A guide pin aperture is defined by at least one of the body or a bushing coupled to the body. The sprinkler assembly further includes a deflector slidably coupled to the body. The deflector includes a deflector body coupled to a guide pin. The guide pin includes a shaft portion extending through the guide pin aperture and a shoulder that is wider than the shaft portion and configured to engage at least one of the body or the bushing to limit movement of the deflector body away from the body.

Abstract: A sprinkler includes a body defining (a) a passage having an inlet configured to be fluidly coupled to a source of fire suppressant fluid, (b) an outlet fluidly coupled to the passage, and (c) a compression pin aperture extending from an outer surface of the body to the passage and configured to receive a compression pin, a button received within the passage, and a seal engaging the button and the body to fluidly seal the inlet from the outlet. The compression pin aperture is positioned such that the compression pin engages the button to force the button against the seal when the compression pin is inserted into the compression pin aperture.

Abstract: Adjustable fire protection assemblies and methods are provided. The assembly includes a sprinkler having a body with an outer encasing surface and a deflector supported from the body. An escutcheon having a receiver and a rim surround the fire protection sprinkler to define an aperture between the receiver and the sprinkler. A push-to-connect fitting of the assembly includes a tubular member with an end for connection to a pipe and an internal conduit that receives the sprinkler body. A seal member and a retaining ring are disposed within the tubular member to form an adjustable seal and grip about the sprinkler body. A releasing member translates to disengage the retaining ring from the sprinkler body; and the escutcheon translates with respect to the tubular member in a sliding surface engagement to define an adjustable deflector-to-rim distance between the rim of the escutcheon and the deflector of the sprinkler.

Abstract: A sprinkler includes a sprinkler frame and a deflector. The deflector is disposed about the sprinkler and centered along a sprinkler axis with an internal deflecting surface circumscribed about the sprinkler axis, the internal deflecting surface having a central region, a peripheral region and an arcuate annulus region between the central region and the peripheral region, the central region being a planar surface disposed perpendicular to the sprinkler axis and contiguous with the arcuate annulus to define a first diameter of the deflector, the arcuate annulus being contiguous with the peripheral region to define a second diameter of the deflector and the peripheral region including a plurality of spaced apart planar surfaces skewed outwardly with respect to the sprinkler axis to form an outermost discontinuous peripheral edge of the deflector to define a third diameter of the deflector.

Abstract: A fire protection system includes a plurality of fluid distribution devices coupled to the fluid supply pipes to define four fluid distribution devices above a floor. The fluid distribution devices generate a spray pattern overlapping one another to define a rectangular fluid distribution area 2.5 ft. The rectangular area having a first pair of edges extending parallel to the fluid supply pipes and a second pair of edge extending perpendicular to the first edge. The fluid distribution devices are axially aligned above a corner of the rectangular area, the fluid distribution area defined by a grid of one square foot areas totaling an area no more than 12 ft.×8 ft., the rectangular area of fluid distribution having a total fluid density of at least 60 gpm/sq. ft., the rectangular area including a first zone of fluid distribution of a 4 ft.×4 ft. area.

Abstract: A fire protection sprinkler includes a sprinkler frame and a deflector. The deflector is coupled to the sprinkler frame and distributes fluid discharged from an outlet of the sprinkler in a spray pattern centered about a sprinkler axis and defined by a fluid density in a first quadrant area 2.5 feet (ft.) below the sprinkler and perpendicular to the sprinkler axis, the first quadrant area having a first corner disposed along the sprinkler axis with a first edge extending in the direction of a fluid supply pipe, a second edge extending perpendicular to the first edge and intersecting the first edge at the sprinkler axis, the first quadrant area being defined by a grid of one square foot areas totaling an area of no more than 10 ft.×10 ft., the total fluid density being at least 15 gpm/sq. ft.

Abstract: Ceiling only dry sprinkler systems and methods for protection of a storage occupancy employing a mandatory fluid delivery delay period. The systems and methods provide for fire protection of stored commodities of forty-five feet or greater with a hydraulic design ranging from six to eighteen design sprinklers. The systems and methods employ an upright sprinkler having a nominal K-factor greater than 28.

Abstract: A dry sprinkler for a fire protection system. The preferred dry sprinkler has a metallic disc annulus positionable within a passageway to skew a central axis of a face of the metallic disc annulus with respect to a longitudinal axis of the dry sprinkler so that an expected minimum flow rate based on a rated discharge coefficient is provided. The dry sprinkler operates to provide an expected flow rate over a range of start pressures. The expected flow rate is based on a K-factor rating. The dry sprinkler provides an acceptable level of fluid flow rate from the expected flow rate based on the K-factor for a range of start pressures.

Abstract: A sprinkler assembly (10) having a receiving member (12), a fluid tight seal (44) and a sprinkler frame (14). The receiving member includes an inner surface (22) defining an internal passageway and a central axis (A-A) of the assembly. The frame of the sprinkler includes an internal surface (38) that defines a fluid passage. The sprinkler assembly includes cooperating positioning elements (28, 40) which engage and couple the sprinkler frame to the receiving member for at least one of an axial and rotational adjustment between the frame and receiving member. The engaged positioning elements facilitate formation or location of the fluid tight seal between the sprinkler frame and receiving member, the seal being spaced from the engaged positioning elements. In one aspect of the assembly, the sprinkler frame and receiving member are made of plastic material (e.g. CPVC).

Abstract: A sprinkler assembly (10) having a receiving member (12), a fluid tight seal (44) and a sprinkler frame (14). The receiving member includes an inner surface (22) defining an internal passageway and a central axis (A-A) of the assembly. The frame of the sprinkler includes an internal surface (38) that defines a fluid passage. The sprinkler assembly includes cooperating positioning elements (28, 40) which engage and couple the sprinkler frame to the receiving member for at least one of an axial and rotational adjustment between the frame and receiving member. The engaged positioning elements facilitate formation or location of the fluid tight seal between the sprinkler frame and receiving member, the seal being spaced from the engaged positioning elements. In one aspect of the assembly, the sprinkler frame and receiving member are made of plastic material (e.g. CPVC).