Patent ID: 7658231
Filing Date: 2010-02-09
Classification: A62C,B05B

Abstract:
1. A residential fire sprinkler for connection to a piping system having a fluid supply so as to locate the sprinkler centrally over a coverage area in at least one of a first fluid distribution test and a second fluid distribution test, the coverage area in the first fluid distribution test including at least 324 square feet or greater sub-divided into four quadrants, the coverage area being defined as a product of coverage width and length, where a length of one quadrant is about one-half the coverage length and a width of the one quadrant is about one-half coverage width where each square foot of the quadrant is covered by a first set of collection pans of one-square foot area with the top of each collection being about eight feet below a generally flat ceiling of the coverage area, the coverage area including in the second fluid distribution test non-porous walls, a second set of fluid collection pans of one square foot area being placed against the non-porous walls, the tops of the second set of collection pans being six feet, ten inches below the generally flat ceiling, the sprinkler comprising: a body for connection to the piping system defining a passageway between an inlet and an outlet along a longitudinal axis with the outlet closer to an area to be protected than the inlet, the passage including a rated K-factor of at least 6, the body including a portion having ¾-inch or greater NPT threads formed thereon; a closure positioned proximate the outlet opening so as to occlude the passageway; a heat responsive trigger that retains the closure to occlude the passageway; at least one frame arm being coupled to the body; and a deflector coupled to the at least one frame arm and spaced from the outlet opening so that when the trigger is actuated, the deflector provides adequate fluid distribution for the protection of a dwelling unit, the deflector including: the deflector being spaced from the body such that when the sprinkler is connected for the first fluid distribution test and the fluid supply feeds 10 pounds per square inch gauge (psig) of fluid to the inlet and is allowed to flow from the outlet upon actuation of the trigger for a duration of about twenty minutes over the coverage area for distribution by the deflector and a portion of the at least one frame arm, an amount of fluid is collected in any of the first set of collection pans at a density of about 0.02 gallons per minute per square foot and no more than four collection pans for each quadrant receive less than 0.015 gallons per square foot, and when the sprinkler is connected for the second fluid distribution test the fluid supply feeds 10 pounds per square inch gauge (psig) of fluid to the inlet and is allowed to flow from the outlet upon actuation of the trigger for a duration of about ten minutes over the coverage area for distribution by the deflector and a portion of the at least one frame arm to impinge the non-porous walls within 28 inches of the ceiling, an amount of fluid in the second set of collection pans that is at least five percent of a flow rate of at least 17 gallons per minute.