Are residential fire sprinklers a legal requirement?
The law has a lot of rules in place to keep our homes safe, from building codes to gas safety checks. These measures are designed to protect...
Sprinklers are excellent at stopping a fire before it gets out of control, but it’s easy to wonder how reliable they are. Will they only go off if there’s actually a fire, or will you get soaked just from burning your toast?
The great news is that modern sprinklers are built to prevent this from happening. Each sprinkler head has a special liquid-filled bulb or a fusible link that breaks when it gets too hot – much hotter than anything you’d experience without a fire. So, you can burn your toast without fear of an unexpected indoor shower!
The exact temperature that triggers a sprinkler depends on the type and rating, but don’t worry – the experts at South Coast Fire Sprinklers are here to help you choose the right system for your needs. Keep reading to learn more about sprinkler heads and how they know exactly when to spring into action!
What temperature sets off fire sprinklers?
Fire sprinklers are designed to suit different environments, so their activation temperatures can vary depending on the setting. Here are some of the most common ones you might come across.
Standard temperature range
Standard fire sprinklers are triggered when the temperature around the sprinkler head reaches around 68°C (155°F), a temperature too high for a typical room to reach without a fire. This is the activation temperature for most residential and commercial buildings.
High-temperature sprinklers
In places where higher temperatures are common, like industrial facilities or areas with heat-producing equipment, sprinkler systems are often designed with higher activation temperatures to avoid accidental discharges. Depending on the environment, these sprinklers might be set to activate anywhere from 79°C to 141°C (174°F to 286°F).
How can you tell the temperature rating of a sprinkler?
In the UK, sprinkler heads use colour-coded temperature ratings to indicate the activation temperature, following international standards like those set by the NFPA. You can identify a sprinkler’s activation temperature by looking at the colour of its glass bulb or the markings on the sprinkler itself.
Glass bulbs
Here’s an overview of the standard colour-coding for glass bulbs in fire sprinklers:
Bulb Colour: Orange
Activation Temperature: 57°C (135°F)
Typical Use: Low-temperature environments
Bulb Colour: Red
Activation Temperature: 68°C (155°F)
Typical Use: Standard residential and office
Bulb Colour: Yellow
Activation Temperature: 79°C (174°F)
Typical Use: Slightly warmer temperatures
Bulb Colour: Green
Activation Temperature: 93°C (200°F)
Typical Use: Industrial or warm environments
Bulb Colour: Blue
Activation Temperature: 141°C (286°F)
Typical Use: High-temperature areas like factories
Bulb Colour: Mauve
Activation Temperature: 182°C (360°F)
Typical Use: Specialised high-heat applications
Bulb Colour: Black
Activation Temperature: 227°C (440°F)
Typical Use: Extreme high-heat environments
Fusible links
Some sprinklers use a fusible link instead of a glass bulb. These links are made of metal and are designed to break apart at a specific temperature, which is often printed on the link or specified on the sprinkler. Fusible link sprinklers are commonly used in settings like food production facilities, where activated components need to be easily located and removed for safety and maintenance.
Protect your property with our high-performance fire sprinkler systems
Now that you have a better idea of how fire sprinklers work and how unlikely they are to go off without a reason, you might be ready to take the next step and invest in one for your property. If that’s the case, you’re in the right place!
South Coast Fire Sprinklers are the South’s leading designers, suppliers, and installers of high-performance fire sprinkler systems. Here’s why we stand out:
- Our fully accredited specialists have installed systems in all kinds of buildings, from care homes to entire housing estates. This means we have the experience to design the perfect system for your property, no matter its size or layout.
- We’ll work closely with you to create a fire sprinkler system that fits your needs, without excess fees or unnecessary admin.
- Want extra peace of mind? We can even include a state-of-the-art FloWatch monitoring system to make sure your system is always reliable.
- We put your convenience first, making sure to work around your schedule and minimise disruption for you and anyone else in the building.
- After installation, we’re always happy to help with any advice, support, or maintenance you might need.
Ready to get started? Get a free quote online or give us a call on 01202 731111 to protect your property today!
